Question:
I have several concerns about my problems with getting an erection
or keeping it. First, I seem to have trouble getting and keeping an
erection regardless of whether I am "with" a girl or not. It happens
when I am by myself and when I'm not. So I'm not sure that's it's
nervousness. I do drink some. How much does alcohol affect it? Would it
be a drastic change if I just stopped drinking? If so, how long would it
take for me to get back to "normal". Also, I took growth hormones for a
couple years when I was in high school on the advice of a doctor for my
height and weight. Could that have affected anything permanently? I also
have emphysema. Would that take away from my bloodflow enough to where
it might be hard for me to get a hard erection? I use to get hard just
sitting in class in high school for no reason whatsoever. Now, I have to
work hard at it..and then it seems to go down pretty quickly. BTW, I am
27. Any suggestions? Thanks a bunch!
Answer:
Normally, however, arousal is followed by erection. An erection of the
penis occurs as the spongy tissues of the penis are engorged with
blood. There is one large primary artery responsible for blood flow
into the penis, but several veins that drain the penis of blood. When
an erection is not happening, the inflow of blood and the outflow is
maintained in balance and the penis remains flaccid. The valves
(actually flaps, according to medical experts) that control the flow of
blood, however, are opened and closed by nerves that run through the
spinal cord to the brain. During erection, blood flows into the penis
and holes in the spongy tissue in the penis fill with blood. At the
same time, flaps in the veins leading out of the penis enlarge, cutting
off the drainage. As a result, the penis fills with blood. As more and
more blood flows in than out, the penis enlarges and becomes harder.
Finally, veins in the penis are compressed from the increasing pressure
from the erection itself. Not only that, the heart rate and blood
pressure increase, the pressure of blood into the penis increases,
keeping the penis the hardest.
What can go wrong with the plumbing system? Several things. Those with
spinal cord injuries are frequently unable to attain an erection
because the nerves that control the valves in the veins and arteries
have been severed. If these valves cannot be opened and closed an
erection is impossible. As a man ages, the valves (flaps) controlling
the veins that must be shut off may leak a bit, and not prevent the
outflow of blood. And the blood flow into the penis may be restricted.
Also, as a man ages, the main penis artery may fill with sludge,
reducing blood inflow. Smoking may contribute to this, as it does to
the buildup of sludge in other portions of the circulatory system.
Furthermore, alcohol use may decrease the ability of the nervous system
to close off the necessary valves. That's why intoxicated men often
cannot get and maintain an erection. Bicycle and other injuries to the
groin area can be dangerous in that the main artery controlling blood
flow to the penis may be squeezed shut, making a firm erection
difficult or even impossible. "
