Study claims computer use could cause erectile dysfunction

By Sharin Hussain via SWNS

Computer geeks are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction, warns a new study.

Researchers found that every 72-minute increase in leisure computer usage by men saw a 3.57-fold increase in the odds of suffering from the embarrassing issue.

However, scientists found no evidence to suggest that watching television or driving for leisure increased the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED).

The study used UK data to focus on three leisure sedentary behaviors (LSB), which were watching television, driving and using the computer and what kind of erectile dysfunction risks they might have.

Study author, doctoral student Zhao Huangfu, Department of Urology, Shanghai Hospital, Naval Medical University, said: “The causal connection between the aforementioned three LSBs and ED has been investigated using mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

“It was revealed that each 1.2 h (hours) increase in leisure computer usage predicted a 3.57-fold greater odds risk of ED.

“However, no causal association was detected between television watching, driving, or ED.”

MR is a technique aimed at unbiased detection of causal effects and, where possible, estimation of their magnitude.

The study, published in the journal Andrology, analyzed a study of over 200,000 individuals from the Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) from the UK biodata.

The study has three cohorts totaling 223,805 individuals with 6,175 cases and 217,630 individuals.

They look at the history of medical interventions for ED like oral medications or surgery and self-reports from the individuals that were concerned.

Huangfu adds: “The causal association between computer use and ED found in the present study strongly suggested that LSB may impair erectile function, even though the causal association between another two LSBs (television watching and driving) and ED was not found.”

They also found that the use of computers was not linked with depression, anxiety, or markers of blood vessel health.

It was associated with lower levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, a role that plays in the sexual development and reproduction in both males and females.

The study was completed by Naval Medical University, University of Shanghai for Science, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College.

Huangfu concludes: “Lifestyle interventions alone could reduce the prevalence of ED from 66 to 44 percent. However, the intensity and frequency of physical activity are also important to consider.

“At present, there is no clear regulation on the quantity and frequency of daily physical activity required for the treatment of different severity and types of ED or the prevention of ED.

“Whether it is long- or short-term, and aerobic or anaerobic/resistance protocols, physical exercise is effective in improving and preventing ED.

“But aerobic exercise with moderate-to-vigorous intensity is the most effective type of exercise for improving erection, as confirmed by previous meta-analyses studies.”

Other studies revealed that sitting for more than nine hours per day could even lead to a significant increase in the incidence of severe ED.