There is perhaps no physiological event more central to the male experience—and yet more misunderstood—than the erection. For most men, it’s treated like a temperamental weather pattern: you hope for clear skies when the time is right, and you’re frustrated when the clouds roll in unexpectedly.

Understanding What’s Actually Going On Down There For most men, the penis is a constant presence—both a source of identity and, at times, curiosity or confusion. Yet, despite being one of the most discussed organs in human culture, it remains widely misunderstood.