Erection?

erectus, erigere— ex, out + regere… straight (like ruler?)

erect etymology

Erect a building

Erection — why men get erection from female breasts

Funny thing I learned:

Apparently if you do cocaine, you cannot get an erection?

How does viagra work

Downsides

Why it cause downside hormonally

Viagra, like any medication, has potential downsides or side effects. While many people use it safely, it’s important to be aware of these risks:

1. Common Side Effects: These can include headaches, facial flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, dizziness, and visual disturbances (such as changes in color vision or blurred vision).
2. Serious Side Effects: Though rare, Viagra can cause more serious side effects like priapism (a prolonged and painful erection), sudden hearing loss, or sudden vision loss in one or both eyes.
3. Cardiovascular Risk: Viagra can be risky for people with certain heart conditions, as it affects blood flow. It can lower blood pressure, so it’s potentially dangerous for those with low blood pressure or who take medications that lower blood pressure.
4. Interactions with Other Medications: Viagra can interact with certain medications, especially nitrates (used for chest pain) and some blood pressure medications, leading to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
5. Not Suitable for Everyone: It’s not recommended for individuals with certain medical conditions like severe heart or liver problems, recent stroke or heart attack, or low blood pressure.
6. Dependency Concerns: There is a risk of psychological dependency on Viagra, especially in younger users who may not have a medical need for it.
7. Counterfeit Products: There’s a risk of counterfeit Viagra, especially when not purchased through reputable sources. Fake Viagra can be dangerous and may not contain the correct active ingredients.
8. Cost and Accessibility: Viagra can be expensive, and in some cases, it might not be covered by health insurance.

It’s crucial for individuals considering Viagra to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure it’s appropriate for their health situation and to understand the potential risks and benefits.

Viagra, like any medication, has potential downsides or side effects. While many people use it safely, it’s important to be aware of these risks:

1. Common Side Effects: These can include headaches, facial flushing, indigestion, nasal congestion, dizziness, and visual disturbances (such as changes in color vision or blurred vision).
2. Serious Side Effects: Though rare, Viagra can cause more serious side effects like priapism (a prolonged and painful erection), sudden hearing loss, or sudden vision loss in one or both eyes.
3. Cardiovascular Risk: Viagra can be risky for people with certain heart conditions, as it affects blood flow. It can lower blood pressure, so it’s potentially dangerous for those with low blood pressure or who take medications that lower blood pressure.
4. Interactions with Other Medications: Viagra can interact with certain medications, especially nitrates (used for chest pain) and some blood pressure medications, leading to a dangerous drop in blood pressure.
5. Not Suitable for Everyone: It’s not recommended for individuals with certain medical conditions like severe heart or liver problems, recent stroke or heart attack, or low blood pressure.
6. Dependency Concerns: There is a risk of psychological dependency on Viagra, especially in younger users who may not have a medical need for it.
7. Counterfeit Products: There’s a risk of counterfeit Viagra, especially when not purchased through reputable sources. Fake Viagra can be dangerous and may not contain the correct active ingredients.
8. Cost and Accessibility: Viagra can be expensive, and in some cases, it might not be covered by health insurance.

It’s crucial for individuals considering Viagra to consult with a healthcare provider to ensure it’s appropriate for their health situation and to understand the potential risks and benefits.

Viagra, also known by its generic name sildenafil, is a medication used primarily to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). Its mechanism of action is centered on enhancing blood flow to the penis, which is essential for achieving and maintaining an erection.

Here’s how it works:

1. Blocking PDE5 Enzyme: Viagra inhibits an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). Normally, PDE5 breaks down a substance called cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP).
2. Increased Levels of cGMP: By blocking PDE5, Viagra leads to increased levels of cGMP within the smooth muscle cells of the penis.
3. Relaxation of Smooth Muscles: The elevated cGMP levels cause the smooth muscles in the blood vessels of the penis to relax. This relaxation widens the blood vessels (a process known as vasodilation).
4. Enhanced Blood Flow: The relaxation and widening of these blood vessels increase blood flow to the penis. An adequate blood flow is crucial for the penis to become erect.
5. Sexual Stimulation Required: It’s important to note that Viagra facilitates the erection process but does not initiate it. Sexual arousal or stimulation is still necessary for an erection to occur, as it triggers the initial production of nitric oxide in the penis, which is the precursor for cGMP production.
6. Duration of Action: The effects of Viagra usually begin within 30 to 60 minutes of taking it and can last for up to 4 hours. However, this doesn’t mean the erection will last this long, rather that the potential for achieving an erection exists within this window.

Viagra has been a significant advancement in the treatment of ED, offering a viable solution for many who suffer from this condition. However, it’s not suitable for everyone, and its use should be under medical guidance due to potential side effects and interactions with other medications.

The sexual connotation of “erect” in relation to the male sexual response likely emerged as a natural extension of its original meaning. Since “erect” means to raise up or set upright, it became a fitting term to describe the physiological change during male sexual arousal, where there is an increase in blood flow causing the penis to become upright or raised.

This specific usage likely developed as medical and anatomical understanding evolved, particularly during and after the Renaissance, when scientific exploration into human anatomy and physiology gained significant ground. The precise timing of when “erect” began to be commonly used in this sexual context isn’t clearly documented, but it would have aligned with broader trends in medical and scientific terminology becoming more precise and descriptive.

In summary, the sexualization of “erect” in reference to male arousal is rooted in the term’s original meaning of something being raised or set upright, and it evolved naturally with the advancement of medical and anatomical knowledge.

The etymology of “erect” traces back to Latin and has evolved over time. The word originates from the Latin “erectus,” which is the past participle of “erigere.” “Erigere” itself is formed from “e-” (a variant of “ex-” meaning “out”) and “regere,” which means “to direct, keep straight, guide.” So, “erect” originally meant “to raise up, set up, or set straight.”

Over time, in English, the term came to be used more broadly to describe anything that is upright or in a raised position, maintaining the essence of being set up or raised from a base. This includes its use in both physical and abstract senses, such as erecting a building (physically constructing) or erecting a theory (establishing or formulating).

The attraction to female breasts is partly biological and partly cultural. Biologically, men may be programmed to respond to visual cues that signal fertility and health, which in some cultures includes the appearance of breasts. This response could be a result of evolutionary pressures where traits that signal reproductive fitness are seen as desirable.

Culturally, the significance and eroticization of female breasts vary greatly. In some societies, breasts are highly sexualized, while in others, they are not. This cultural influence can shape an individual’s sexual preferences and responses, including arousal.

It’s also worth considering the psychological and social aspects. From a psychological perspective, early experiences and conditioning can play a role in shaping sexual preferences. Socially, media and societal norms often emphasize breasts as key symbols of feminine beauty and sexuality, reinforcing their attractiveness to men.

In summary, the response to female breasts is a complex interplay of evolutionary biology, personal psychology, and cultural influences.