Erectile dysfunction is typically associated with older men. However, some men in their 30s experience erectile dysfunction, whereas some men in their 80s are true beauties. This raises the question of what influences your erections’ strength or weakness.
What stimulates an erection?
Sex arousal does not cause every erection. Urologist Dr. Ferdi Marais of Busamed Private Hospital in Somerset West describes an erection as a neuro-vascular phenomenon that can have nocturnal, reflexive, or psychogenic causes.
A psychogenic erection is brought on by fantasy or audiovisual stimuli.
When the penis or the nerve supply that supplies it is touched or irritated, a reflexive erection results.
A typical erection that occurs during deep (REM) sleep is known as a nocturnal erection.
Erections without arousal
Dr. Irwin Goldstein claims in a Boston University School of Medicine article that an erection is a precisely planned sequence of actions managed by the central nervous system (CNS).
Both at rest and during sexual arousal, the CNS has total control over the penis. Dr. Marais says reflexive or nocturnal erections can explain this.
Complete spinal cord injuries can cause reflexive erections, which avoid the brain. Reflexive erections can also result from a full bladder.
Certain brain regions become active during deep sleep, which is what causes nocturnal erections. Through specific pelvic nerves, they transmit signals to the penile blood flow, resulting in an erection.
Too many or too few?
Dr. Marais says that because different stimuli cause erections to occur at different times of the day, it is challenging to determine an exact number.
The Sexual Medicine Society of America states that having fewer than five nocturnal erections, each lasting roughly 25 to 35 minutes, is abnormal. According to Dr. Marais, you should see a doctor if you have painful or lengthy erections (lasting longer than four hours) as this may be a sign of a medical issue.
A prolonged, painful erection lasting several hours is known as pruritus, but it is not a reason to celebrate. The National Health Service of the United Kingdom states that if priapism is not treated within 24 hours, it may cause permanent damage to your penis and lead to impotence in the future.
According to Dr. Marais, “the inability to achieve or maintain a sufficient erection during intercourse is the official definition of erectile dysfunction.”
Erections are essential to a man’s general health, according to Professor Ridwan Shabsigh, President of the International Society of Men’s Health and Professor of Urology at Cornell University, who previously spoke with Health24 on this subject. According to Prof. Shabsigh, erection issues are frequently a symptom of other health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease.
In summary, Professor Shabsigh suggests that you should consult a doctor right away if you’re having erectile dysfunction issues because they may indicate a more serious condition.
