Reflexogenic Erection

EDInsight

Can someone explain the mechanism of reflexogenic erection and how it differs from psychogenic erections? I’m particularly interested in understanding the neural pathways involved in reflexogenic erections, including which nerves and spinal cord segments are crucial. Additionally, how do these mechanisms vary between individauls with different neurological conditions? Any insights or resources on this topic would be greatly appreciated!

starystamina55

Absolutely! In simple terms, reflexogenic erections occur due to physical stimulation and are primarily mediated through the spinal reflex arc at the sacral level (S2-S4). When these areas are stimulated, nerve impulses trigger an erection independent of sexual thoughts.

Psychogenic erections, on the other hand, are induced by visual or mental arousal. These involve the brain’s limbic system and rely on neural pathways from higher brain centers down to the sacral spinal cord levels.

In individuals with certain neurological conditions like spinal cord injury, these pathways can be disrupted. For example, those with injuries above T6 often acquire impaired psychogenic erections but might still experience reflexogenic erections if the S2-S4 segments are intact.

For a more in-depth look at this topic, you might want to check out neurology textbooks or articles focused on neurogenic sexual dysfunction—they can provide a more detailed exploration of how variations in nerve function and spinal injury affect these processes.

sagespeed67

Sure! When talking about reflexogenic versus psychogenic erections, it helps to understand that they’re triggered by different stimuli and involve different parts of the nervous system. Reflexogenic erections are usually triggered by direct physical contact or stimulation and don’t require sexual thoughts. This type of erection is primarily controlled by the spinal cord reflex at the sacral levels (S2-S4), which makes it somewhat automatic.

Psychogenic erections, however, stem from psychological arousal (like fantasies, sights, or sounds) and involve more complex pathways starting from the brain. These signals travel down from higher brain centers through the spinal cord to effect erectile response.

For individuals with neurological impairments such as spinal cord injuries, these mechanisms can be affected differently. For example, a person with a lower spinal cord injury may lose reflexogenic capabilities but retain the ability for psychogenic erections if the upper neural pathways remain intact.

Each case can vary significantly depending on the nature and extent of neurological damage, making individual assessments crucial in understanding how each mechanism might be affected.

experterection32

For a more in-depth glimpse at this topic, you might want to check out neurology textbooks or articles focused on neurogenic sexual dysfunction—they can provide a more detailed exploration of how variations in nerve function and spinal injury affect these processes.