How Nervous System Disorders Affect Erection Process?

The human nervous system consists of two main sub-systems:

Somatic nervous system: - It involves the network of nerves that are connected to our muscles and receive sensations like touch, sight, hearing and smell. We can have control over this part of nervous system.

Autonomic nervous system: - It involves network of nerves regulating body temperature, blood pressure, digestion pulse and so on. We don’t have control over this part of nervous system

However erection process involves both sub-systems: somatic and autonomic i.e. touch and sensation during intercourse is controlled by the somatic nervous system on the other hand, autonomic nervous system monitors the reflexes that open up the blood vessels within the penis.

The most common nerve disorders are diabetes, spinal cord injuries and multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis: it is a condition in which there occurs the “insulation” which separates the person nerve fibers within the brain and spinal cord. This may leads to erectile dysfunction.

Spinal cord injury: it may lead to paralysis and loss of sensation of the lower half of the body which in turns results in erectile dysfunction.

Diabetes: damages the blood vessels carrying blood to the penis and also interrupt with the flow of blood resulting in impotence