Directly linked to male sexual pleasure, erection is a physiological phenomenon partly controlled by the brain. If the fact of bending is often the result of sexual arousal, the erection can nevertheless be triggered spontaneously, without sexual stimuli. Explanations.

Binding is a natural mechanism by which the male sex is erected, hardened and enlarged due to an influx of blood caused by sexual arousal. This phenomenon is divided into several stages.

It is first of all thanks to the brain that this physiological phenomenon is made possible. Stimulated, it transmits signals to the nerves of the penis – the erector nerves – through the spinal cord. A high concentration of cGMP nucleotides – cyclic guanosine monophosphate – is triggered, allowing the smooth muscles of the penis to relax to facilitate the passage of blood from the penile arteries. The penis volume and blood pressure increase to allow intercourse.

The venous return is then theoretically blocked until ejaculation. The penis then gradually becomes soft again. “After this return to flaccidity, it takes some time before the nerves can be receptive to simulations again. This is called the refractory period. This can be longer or shorter depending on the individual (in particular, his age) or the state of his psychological satisfaction ”, details the site devoted to sexual health Gyn & co.

The male erectile phenomenon is triggered by a stimulus that can take several forms:

• Psychic: the mind plays an important part in sexual arousal. Imagining a sexual act or projecting yourself into an arousing situation is enough to trigger an erection;
• Physical: a kiss, a caress on an erogenous zone or simply the fact of touching your partner can activate sexual arousal;
• Sensory: desire can also be stimulated by senses other than touch such as a smell, a voice, or the sight of the body of his or her partner for example.

Getting hard in the morning is what you might call a reflex erection. Indeed, it is a very frequent phenomenon which does not require any sexual stimulus. Also called nocturnal penile tumescence, it is a succession of several erections – on average two to four – during the night and the last of which occurs upon awakening.

It is during the phases of paradoxical sleep, the one during which the man dreams the most, that this erectile reflex occurs. And if it would be easy to draw the parallel, this physiological phenomenon does not necessarily have a link with an erotic dream.

In his book “Erection, manual”, the sexologist and cardiovascular surgeon Ronald Virag explains: “Scientists believe that they [note: erections] are used to maintain the structures of the penis during sleep. Night erections, by the repeated oxygenation of the organ that they cause, would maintain the good trophicity of the penis. On the contrary, penises whose spontaneous erections – especially those occurring at night – diminish or disappear, become more flabby, infiltrate bad collagen, lose their elasticity and their ability to erect. ”

Nighttime erections and morning erection prove that it is not necessary to feel desire to observe the male erectile phenomenon. In this type of case, it will be more of a so-called reflex erection.

Likewise, it is quite possible to feel sexual arousal but not be able to get a hard-on. Erectile dysfunction such as sexual breakdown – not getting an erection – or limping – an erection that lacks stiffness – are very common.

Fatigue, stress or anxiety can bypass the transmission of signals to the erectile nerves and slow down the proper course of an erection. Tobacco can also play a deleterious role in the erectile capacity of men. Damaged arteries are thicker which will make it difficult for blood to pass through the penis. Alcohol is also responsible for certain erectile disorders. Consumed in too large a quantity, it disturbs the nervous system and causes a decrease in testosterone levels.

Despite popular belief, erection is also a female phenomenon. Under the effect of arousal, the clitoris is gorged with blood, exactly in the same way as the penis, with one difference, ejaculation is non-existent in women.