small amounts of hydrogen sulphide are emitted by nerve cells in the penile area

A team of Italian scientists at the University of Naples Federico II have made the discovery that small amounts of hydrogen sulphide are emitted by nerve cells in the penile area just before sexual intercourse which actually cause the penis to be able to become erect.

What makes this revelation so interesting is that hydrogen sulphide is a disgusting smelling gas which is emitted in large quantities when eggs begin to rot. (Obviously the quantities involved in getting an erection are too small to smell). Professor Giuseppe Cirino speaking on behalf of the research team explained that hydrogen sulphide was an essential part of the mechanisms for a man to get an erection.

What makes this discovery so important is that it opens up new avenues of research for treatments to help men who suffer from impotence. If a medicine can be developed that increases the production of hydrogen sulfide in the penile area it is likely that men would experience enhanced erections. The world’s most famous erectile dysfunction medication Viagra works by stimulating the production of nitric oxide which increases blood supply to the penis. It is thought that for those men for whom Viagra is not effective another remedy which worked by boosting hydrogen sulphide, good results could be achieved.

This groundbreaking research which was published in the respected medical journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences involved testing done on the erectile tissue of a number of transsexuals who had undergone sex change operations from male to female. There is a huge amount of money to be made by drug companies who come up with remedies for the treatment of male sexual problems. Having a drug which works differently from Viagra, Cialis and Levitra would be a financial blockbuster especially as it could be used by millions of men for whom the regular impotence drugs are not effective or safe for.