Wednesday, August 05, 2015

Cell phone use is associated with erectile dysfunction: Pilot study

Cell phone use is associated with erectile dysfunction: Pilot study


Joel's comments: Although there have been ten studies which have found human sperm damage attributable to cell phone radiation exposure (Adams et al., 2014), the following paper is the only study I found that examined the association between erectile dysfunction and cell phone use.

Perhaps, young and old men who are less concerned about sperm damage will be more concerned about the potential for erectile dysfunction. This small pilot study should be replicated on larger samples of men. 

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Cell phone usage and erectile function


Al-Ali BM, Patzak J, Fischereder K, Pummer K, Shamloul R.Cell phone usage and erectile function.Cent European J Urol. 2013;66(1):75-7. doi: 10.5173/ceju.2013.01.art23. Epub 2013 Apr 26.

Abstract


INTRODUCTION: The objective of this pilot study was to report our experience concerning the effects of cell phone usage on erectile function (EF) in men.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 20 consecutive men complaining of erectile dysfunction (ED) for at least six months (Group A), and another group of 10 healthy men with no complaints of ED (Group B). Anamnesis, basic laboratory investigations, and clinical examinations were performed. All men completed the German version of the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) for evaluation of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), as well as another questionnaire designed by our clinicians that assessed cell phone usage habits.

RESULTS: There was no significant difference between both groups regarding age, weight, height, and total testosterone (Table 1). The SHIM scores of Group A were significantly lower than that of Group B, 11.2 ±5 and 24.2 ±2.3, respectively. Total time spent talking on the cell phone per week was not significantly higher in Group A over B, 17.6 ±11.1 vs. 12.5 ±7 hours. Men with ED were found to carry their 'switched on' cell phones for a significantly longer time than those without ED, 4.4 ±3.6 hours per day vs.1.8 ±1 hours per day.

CONCLUSIONS: We found a potential correlation with cell phone usage and a negative impact on EF. Further large-scale studies confirming our initial data and exploring the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon are recommended.

Excerpts
This prospective pilot study showed that there may be a relation between cell phone usage and ED, which is indicated by the following results of this study: men with ED use their cell phones longer than men without ED, men who have ED carry their switched on cell phones significantly longer than men who do not have ED, and the effect of cell phone usage on total testosterone levels is not significant.
Our study showed the total time of exposure to the EMW of the cell phone is much more important than the relatively short duration of intense exposure during making cellular phone calls.
In our previous study we reported that serum total testosterone levels may be impaired in men with infertility and in those using cell phones [15]. However, in the current study we could not find the same link, which may be due to the small sample size of patients and healthy controls included.
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Also see:
Yan SW, Zhang N, Tang J, Lu HO, Wang XL. [Long-term exposure to low intensity microwave radiation affects male reproductivity].[Article in Chinese].  Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2007 Apr;13(4):306-8.

Abstract


OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of long-term exposure to low intensity microwave radiation on male reproductivity.

METHODS: A total of 289 married male radar operators were included in the radar group and 148 married men unexposed to microwave radiation were enrolled as controls. Questionnaires were used and the intensity of microwave radiation in different working areas was detected.

RESULTS: The rate of sexual dysfunction was 43.6% in the radar group and 24.4% in the control group (P < 0.01). The natural pregnancy rate was 53.6% within 1 year of marriage and 46.4% after 1 year of marriage in the radar group, as compared with 81.1% and 18.9% in the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure to low intensity microwave radiation evidently increased the sexual dysfunction rate and decreased natural pregnancy rate in men.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17491260
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Joel M. Moskowitz, Ph.D., Director
Center for Family and Community Health
School of Public Health
University of California, Berkeley

Electromagnetic Radiation Safety

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