Is there a link between carrying around a switched-on mobile phone and impotence? Possibly, according to a recent study. Mobile phones have been blamed for all sorts of modern ailments, from chronic stress to brain tumors. Now medical researchers in Austria and Egypt have added yet another condition to the list. The conclusions of their study, published in the Central European Journal of Urology, indicate that intensive daily exposure to a switched-on mobile phone could be linked to erectile dysfunction.
The researchers came to this conclusion by studying two groups of men over the course of six years. The 20 men in the first group suffered from erectile dysfunction, while the 10 men in the second reported having no sexual health problems. Each participant in the study filled out a questionnaire to record his daily mobile phone use. (Read: Suffering from erectile dysfunction? Blame it on your mobile phone)
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The researchers noted that there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of average age, weight, height, smoking habits or testosterone levels. However, a difference was observed in the amount of time the men spent with their phone turned on and in their hand or pocket. Those suffering from erectile dysfunction carried a switched-on mobile phone 4.4 hours per day on average, compared to just 1.8 hours per day for the men who did not experience impotence. (Read: 10 causes of erectile dysfunction you probably didn’t know about!)
However, the results of the study should be taken with a grain of salt. As the researchers stress, additional studies must be carried out with larger sample groups before the evidence may be called conclusive.
what causes erectile dysfunction?
The various causes of ED but they can be broadly categorized under two categories: Physiological or physical (pertaining to the body) and psychological (pertaining to the mind)
Physiological Causes of ED
There are various things that we do to our body that can cause impotence:
Alcohol-consumption, smoking and drugs: The cliché sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll is actually very wrong. Substance abuse makes it hard for your heart to pump blood and it also robs your off your libido. Drinking and drugs can cause temporary and permanent ED. While temporary ED goes away when we aren’t under influence, research has shown that as many as 60-70% heavy alcohol consumers suffer from permanent erectile dysfunction. Smoking too is a big culprit; it’s the biggest cause of ED among men under 40. In the long term, all these activities constrict your blood vessels and prevent adequate blood flow to the penis.
Diabetes: Around 50% men with diabetes suffer from ED. In fact ED is one of the most common symptoms of diabetes. The elevated blood glucose level and nerve damage leads to inadequate blood flow and nerve damage to the penis.
Obesity: Another big reason is your extra girth (not in the right places) and not just because of low self-esteem. Most fat men tend to have high cholesterol which causes clogged arteries and prevents efficient blood flow. They also tend to have heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, higher stress levels and other obesity related issues which don’t bode well for your penis.
With inputs from AFP
Image source: AFP
Also read more articles on erectile dysfunction:
- Top 10 tips for stronger erections that last longer!
- Can diabetes cause erectile dysfunction?
- Unable to satisfy partner due to erectile dysfunction
- Viagra and Erectile Dysfunction
- Can performance anxiety cause erectile dysfunction?
- Is porn giving me erectile dysfunction?
- Sex doubts: Masturbation, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, contraception and more
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