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Impact of the Environment on Male Sexual Health

  • Male Sexual Dysfunction and Disorders (SE Althof and AW Pastuszak, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Sexual Health Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction is a common condition with multiple risk factors. There is a growing body of evidence that endocrine disruptors in the environment can impact sexual health. Endocrine disruptors can be both natural and synthetic compounds. We will review the pertinent literature on phytoestrogens, heavy metals, bisphenol A, polychlorinated biphenyl, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), passive smoking, and drinking water contaminants. While animal studies support estrogenic effects of these compounds that can lead to reproductive and sexual dysfunction, the association in human studies remains weak. Thus, further research in this area is needed and safe levels of endocrine disruptors in the environment must be established.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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  1. Department of Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 300 Stein Plaza, 3rd floor, Suite 331, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Amarnath Rambhatla & Jesse N. Mills

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  1. Amarnath Rambhatla
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Amarnath Rambhatla and Jesse N. Mills declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Male Sexual Dysfunction and Disorders

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Rambhatla, A., Mills, J.N. Impact of the Environment on Male Sexual Health. Curr Sex Health Rep 8, 1–8 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-016-0063-4

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