A tube that props open tiny blood vessels may offer a new way to tackle impotence. Under normal circumstances, during arousal the blood vessels of the corpora cavernosa — sponge-like regions of erectile tissue that run along the length of the penis — open up, allowing blood to rush in. Treatment options include oral medication, such as sildenafil (sold under the brand name Viagra), which improve blood flow by widening blood vessels. Stents are widely used to prop open furred-up larger blood vessels that serve the heart. One theory is vitamin D increases production of nitric oxide, which helps relax the blood vessels that supply the penis.

Source: The Nation April 13, 2021 00:56 UTC