Regular erections can play a role in maintaining erectile function. A study in science journals on mice explored this possibility and offered new details about the cellular players involved in erection.
In recent research, scientists observed that connective tissue cells called fibroblasts take up the chemical norepinephrine. This uptake appears to influence the widening of penile blood vessels, which is a key step in achieving an erection. The research also found that male mice with ongoing, regular erections had higher numbers of fibroblasts, while aging was associated with a reduction in these cells.
According to Christian Göritz, a senior researcher in cellular and molecular biology who led the study, fibroblasts are among the most plentiful cells in the penile tissue of both mice and humans, yet they have not received much attention in past investigations.
The researchers suggest that maintaining regular erections could be associated with better erectile function, though they acknowledge that more studies are needed to confirm this observation and understand the underlying mechanisms in humans.
Goeritz explained that the fundamental processes behind erections are broadly similar across mammals in terms of anatomy and cellular organization. A notable difference is that humans possess avascular tissue without a penile bone, which may place greater emphasis on precise regulation of blood flow for successful reproduction. This nuance highlights why studying blood flow control in humans remains a priority for understanding erectile health.
There is a separate historical note in medical literature about symptoms linked to a rare inflammatory condition that tends to appear in people over the age of 50. This condition has been discussed by clinicians in various contexts and continues to be a topic of ongoing evaluation and debate among medical professionals.