In a new study on mice, researchers from the Karolinska Institute got to the bottom of why frequent erections are good.
In a study conducted in Sweden, a previously unknown factor was found that enables erections.
Connective tissue cells, i.e. fibroblasts, form filamentous proteins in connective tissue. Researchers from Uppsala University and the Karolinska Institute discovered in a recent study why they are important for an erection.
– Fibroblasts are the most abundant cells in the penis of both mice and humans, but they have been ignored in the study, says the release Eduardo Guimareswho is a researcher at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology at the Karolinska Institutet.
Fibroblasts regulate blood circulation in the penis, and that is what causes the penis to stiffen into an erection. The fibroblasts use the neurotransmitter noradrenaline, which in turn leads to the expansion of the blood vessels in the penis.
The study found that the number of penile fibroblasts was influenced by the number of erections. The more erections, the more fibroplasts. The more fibroplasts, the more erections.
Humans do not have a spermatic cord, unlike almost all other primates. Adobe Stock / AOP
Can mice and humans be compared in such a study? Senior researcher Christian Göritz underlines in the release that in this case mice and humans have significant similarities.
– Mammalian erections work in the same way in terms of anatomy and cell structure. However, there is one significant thing that separates humans from most mammals. Humans don’t have bone in their penis. It means that efficient circulation and its regulation is even more important in humans.
The study found that the older the mice were, the fewer fibroblasts they had. In humans, the number of erections also decreases with age. One reason may be a decrease in the number of fibroblasts.
Researchers think that the ability to maintain and get an erection could be trainable. It could even be compared to gym training.
However, this was not investigated in this study.
– This is completely speculative, but it is a completely reasonable interpretation that getting an erection becomes easier if there are more of them, Göritz says in the announcement.
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Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, which is a common sexual problem in men, often increases with age and diseases.
The causes can vary from circulatory and nervous system diseases to psychological factors, side effects of medicines and unhealthy lifestyles.
As self-care measures, weight control, quitting smoking, increasing exercise and moderate alcohol consumption are useful. Alcohol does not treat erectile dysfunction by itself, but what is meant here is that alcohol consumption should be reduced to the level of moderate consumption – preferably completely without it. The risk consumption limit for alcohol consumption set for people over 65 is 2 doses at once or 7 doses per week. The high-risk limit for alcohol consumption among younger people is estimated to be 6–7 doses per day or 23–24 doses per week for men.
Considering professional help, such as sexual counseling or therapy, is advisable.
Medication can also help, either in the form of oral or topical preparations. They can be used to treat most erectile dysfunctions.
Source: Health Library, Alko.fi
Sources: Research bulletin, the study itself
Matter clarified 23.2.2024 at 11:56: Clarified what is meant by moderate use of alcohol.
#erection #worthwhile #morning
