The Dicktionary

You’ve known your dick all your life. But have you ever stopped to appreciate just how hard (no pun intended) it actually works? There’s some complex processes going on down there so we’ve broken it down to layman’s terms. Here’s the A-Z of how your dick works 😊🍆.

Arteries

Your penis is full of arteries, and they play a big role in making it become erect. When you are aroused your arteries relax and open up to let more blood flow in; at the same time, your veins close up. This is what causes your penis to expand and hold an erection or a 😊🍆.

Brain

An erection starts in your brain. When you’re stimulated, the brain takes over and works with the nerve endings in the penis to increase blood flow to your veins and arteries.

Corpora cavernosa

Sound impressive? Well it is. Your penis has two cigar-shaped structures inside it called corpora cavernosa. When you’re turned on these are the tubes that become flooded and trapped with blood and cause your penis to become erect.

Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (or impotence) is the inability to get or keep an erection that allows penetration. This is often caused by the arteries leading to the penis not opening up properly to keep your penis hard. ED can be caused by a range of factors including stress, drugs, alcohol, age, or obesity. It can also be a sign of bigger health problems like diabetes or heart disease.

MORE: Want to know the difference between erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation? Find out here.

Ejaculation

You know what it is, but how does it work? Well, when you’re turned on, sperm travels from the testes toward the back of the urethra. Your urethra senses the sperm and when you’re ready to climax, it sends signals to your spinal cord, which sends signals to the muscles at the base of your penis. Your muscles contract and force the semen out of the penis.

Flaccid

When your penis isn't hard, it’s flaccid. So, what’s going on in there? The arteries that transport b­lood into the corpora cavernosa are slightly constricted, while the veins that drain the blood from the penis are open. This means there is no way for pressure to build inside the penis.

Glans

What we typically call the ‘head’ or ‘tip’ of the penis is actually called the glans penis. This is the part that’s very sensitive. If you have your foreskin, it will protect this sensitive skin. If you’re circumcised the skin will change colour and texture. Fun fact: glans is Latin for acorn, for obvious reasons.

Hormones

Hormones, are to thank (or blame) for your erection. Testosterone is the key male sex hormone. If your sex drive is low, this could be because your testosterone levels are out of balance. When you're aroused, your adrenal glands pump out hormones to raise your heart rate and move blood to your muscles, brain, and penis. Another hormone called dopamine then floods you with those happy feelings to orchestrate your erection.

Lifestyle

How your penis performs has a lot to do with your lifestyle. Diet, alcohol consumption, smoking cigarettes and keeping active can all affect your performance in different ways.

Nitric oxide

Your body releases the chemical nitric oxide which triggers an enzyme called guanylate cyclase, which helps to turn you on.

Orgasm

We all know it feels darn good, but what is actually going on when you orgasm? First up, ejaculating and having an orgasm are different things, but they do often happen at the same time. The important thing to remember is that the orgasm is responsible for all those good feelings, not ejaculating. Exactly what happens when we orgasm is complicated, and there is no set definition.

Prostate gland

The prostate gland is part of your reproductive system and is located between your bladder and penis. Its main function is to secrete prostate fluid, which is one of the components of semen. The muscles of the prostate gland also helps to propel your seminal fluid into the urethra during ejaculation 😊🍆. But wait, there’s more! This little walnut sized gland has been dubbed the male G-spot and if you haven't explored it yet, it’s worth delving into. It’s located about 2-4 inches inside your rectum in the direction of your belly button. If stimulated gently with a finger or toy, this little gland can be responsible for the most intense orgasms.

Quickie

Sex in a short and sweet session; who doesn't love that? A quickie can be squeezed into any tight schedule like during an ad break, while the kettle boils or while your iPhone is updating. There is such a thing as too quick though. If you’d like a little more control of when you climax, check out Prolong.

MORE: Want more control over your climax? Find out how you can here.

Sperm

Sperm is the male reproductive cell produced in your testes. While sperm and semen are often used interchangeably, they are actually different things. Sperm lives within semen, which also contains fluid from the prostate. If you want happy, healthy sperm, pay attention to your diet, and perhaps avoid asparagus for your partner’s sake.

Testes

Located directly behind the penis, your testes (or balls) are the miracle making organ that produces sperm, and androgens, (the male hormones).

Urethra

Both men and women have a urethra. In males the urethra is the tiny tube that travels through the penis and is responsible for carrying urine and come outside the body. Sometimes the urethra can become infected, which is called urethritis. This is different to a urinary tract infection, but can have the same symptoms of pain while peeing. To avoid this, make sure you pee after sex and give your penis a good clean.

Viagra

Viagra is that pill you pop to get hard. It works by helping the smooth muscles of the artery walls inside your penis relax. This allows them to open up enough to let blood flow in and inflate your dick.

MORE: Looking for ways to last longer? Find out what actually works here.

Wet dream

Wet dreams, also known as nocturnal emission, are when you ejaculate during your sleep. For most men, wet dreams are a part of the puberty package but they can still occur well into adulthood.

Yes

You might be all systems go, but the most important thing when you’re ready for sexy time is the yes word. If your dick says yes, make sure your partner says yes and soon there’ll be smiles all around 😊🍆.