An erection is the result of dilation of the arteries in the penis, combined with the filling of the erectile tissue. In simple terms, an erection requires that the volume of blood entering the penis exceed the volume leaving it. The erectile tissue is really nothing more than large blood storage compartments. These compartments are normally relatively empty, but they become tremendously dilated when arterial blood flows rapidly into them under pressure and the outflow is partially obstructed. The erectile tissue is surrounded by a strong membrane composed of hard fibers. The membrane greatly increases the pressure within the ballooning erectile tissue, therefore, the penis becomes hard.



If any single step in the process is affected or breaks down, an erection may not happen or it may not last as long as you want it to. Most erection difficulties are caused by a physical problem, though psychological factors can also play a role. Most physically caused erection difficulties are the result of blood flow problems. If there are not enough healthy arteries and veins supplying the genital area with blood your ability to acquire and maintain a firm erection may suffer.

Indeed, psychological blocks can stop an erection before it even starts. Feeling of anxiety, fear, or guilt can easily inhibit the erotic triggers that set an erection in motion. During healthy arousal, the mind works in conjunction with the body to create an erection by focusing on arousing sensations.

Women are often baffled by the suffering a man goes through when he fails to get or keep an erection. A woman can participate in intercourse or any other sexual act without being aroused or even interested. A man is in a more difficult situation. There is no way to fake an erection, and it is difficult to have intercourse without at least a partial erection. So he feels that he cannot have sex; and in his eyes, a man who can't have sex is not really a man.

The good news for erection problems is that sexual herbal remedies have made major advances in recent years. For instance, Horny Goat Weed stands as a time tested herb that increases libido and bolsters hardness. Known in China as Yin Yang Huo, it has a 2000 year history of use as a libido enhancer. Today, it is gaining popularity around the world as more men discover its power as a libido enhancer.

There are many other common and promising options now available for erection problems. As you probably suspect, all have pros and cons. It's a good idea to get a urological consultation unless it's clear that the problem is totally psychological.