Have you ever had trouble keeping your erection during a sexy session with a partner? Then you’re definitely not the only one. People who have it more often use drugs like Viagra to help them keep it up during the most important part. However, scientists have discovered a new way that would revolutionize the way men with erectile dysfunction are helped! Are you curious to discover how they’re planning on prolonging your boner? Then make sure to keep on reading!
A new study in mice has revealed a previously overlooked factor in erectile function: fibroblasts, specialized cells in the penis that help trigger and maintain erections. Unlike traditional treatments that focus on blood flow, researchers found that fibroblasts regulate norepinephrine, a hormone that keeps the penis flaccid. Their discovery may lead to new treatments for erectile dysfunction (ED), especially for those who don’t respond to Viagra.
How Fibroblasts Help You Get, and more importantly Keep, a Boner
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University discovered that fibroblasts absorb norepinephrine, allowing the smooth muscle in the penis to relax and promote blood flow. Their research found:
- More fibroblasts = stronger, longer-lasting erections
- Aging reduces fibroblast numbers, possibly explaining age-related ED
- Notch signaling, a molecular switch, controls fibroblast activity
When researchers turned off the Notch pathway in mice, fibroblast numbers increased, leading to significantly longer erections—without any medication.
Could This Replace Viagra?
The most popular medicine used to help with getting long-lasting boners or optimized sexual performance is Viagra. However, it is not for everyone. Around 30% of ED patients don’t respond to drugs like Viagra, which work by enhancing blood flow but don’t address the root causes of ED.
However, with this new method, and by Targeting fibroblasts, we could offer a more effective, long-term solution, particularly for aging men who have trouble “keeping it up”. The findings are promising, but experts warn us that more research is needed to confirm the true potential this approach. We also still have to make sure it is safe and effective for Humans. Scientists hope that by boosting fibroblast numbers naturally, they can develop a non-drug therapy for ED, revolutionizing the way we treat sexual dysfunction.
