Workplace stress may impair erectile function in young men

New research in the International Journal of Clinical Practice suggests that workplace psychological stress may impair erectile function in young men by affecting certain stress management pathways in the brain and reducing testosterone levels.

In the study of 826 full-time working men aged 22–40, investigators assessed 5 dimensions that could affect workplace psychological stress: working hours, decision-making autonomy, supervisor support, colleague relationships, and promotion pressure. Erectile function and levels of serum cortisol, testosterone, and other hormones were also assessed.

A dose-response relationship was observed between workplace stress and erectile function. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction in the high-stress group reached 54.37%, with 10-times higher odds of erectile dysfunction compared with the low-stress group. Cortisol elevation preceded testosterone decline by 2–4 weeks, and testosterone changes preceded erectile function impairment by 4–6 weeks, suggesting a 6–10-week intervention window.

Working hours impaired erectile function through elevated cortisol, while supervisor support exerted a protective effect by maintaining testosterone levels.

"Integration of psychological stress assessment and hormone testing can effectively identify individuals at high risk for psychogenic erectile dysfunction," the authors wrote.