There are many links between lifestyle behaviors and certain health conditions. But is it factual in this case? A recent study has revealed insights into a connection between sedentary leisure computer usage and erectile dysfunction in men.
The research delved into the genetic variants linked to sedentary behavior analyzing how it impacted the sexual health of men. But what did they find? In simpler terms, there is a link between sitting in front of a computer all day and developing erectile conditions.
In the analysis of data of over 200,000 men, each 1.2-hour increase in leisure computer usage predicted 3.57-fold greater odds of erectile dysfunction. However, there was no evidence to suggest that watching television or driving for leisure increased the risk of erectile dysfunction.
While 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, which plays a role in sexual development and reproduction in both males and females.
Contrary to conventional expectations, the study did not find a direct link between computer use and psychological factors like depression or anxiety. Moreover, it did not uncover any significant markers of blood vessel health associated with computer usage.
The researchers also observed lower levels of follicle-stimulating hormone in individuals who engaged in more leisurely computer activities. The follicle-stimulating hormone is a key hormone involved in the reproductive systems of both males and females. For men, it stimulates the production of sperm cells in the testes.
A need for additional research
Despite the evidence provided by this study, the authors caution against jumping to conclusions about causality. The findings suggest a strong association between leisure computer usage and erectile dysfunction risk. However, more research is still needed to establish a definitive causal relationship.
“The present study offered substantial evidence for a positive causal association between computer use and the risk of erectile dysfunction. However, a definitive causal association needs to be established by further research,” the authors remarked in a statement.
Dr. John Smith, a prominent urologist not involved in the study, commented on its significance, stating, “These findings show the need for individuals, particularly men, to be mindful of their sedentary behaviors, especially when it comes to excessive computer usage.
While the exact mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear, healthcare providers need to discuss lifestyle factors, including screen time, with patients experiencing erectile dysfunction.”
The study, published in the journal Andrology, suggests moderate physical activity instead of leisure computer use. With more exercise, there is a lesser chance of developing erectile dysfunction from sedentary lifestyles.
Study Abstract
Erectile dysfunction has been associated with leisure sedentary behavior in several epidemiological and observational studies. However, the interpretation of these findings is difficult due to residual confounding or reverse causality.
In the present study, publicly available large-scale genome-wide association studies of leisure sedentary behaviors (television watching, computer use, and driving), erectile dysfunction, sex hormones (total testosterone, bioactive testosterone, estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and sex hormone binding globulin), biomarkers of endothelial function (C reactive protein, E-selectin, and matrix metalloproteinase 7), and psychiatric symptoms (depression and anxiety) were used to perform two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses. The inverse variance weighting method was the main method used to estimate the association, and sensitivity analyses were also performed.
