Erectile Dysfunction Linked To Condition Millions of US Men Suffer

In unfortunate news for men, a common digestive illness may be linked to an unwelcome issue in the bedroom. According to a recent paper in the journal Sexual Medicine, having irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be associated with developing erectile dysfunction (ED). The study, which surveyed 133 Peruvian medical students in their early twenties, found a 108 percent higher prevalence of ED in those with IBS than those without IBS. This means that those with IBS were more than twice as likely to have ED than those without. Stock image of a man with erectile dysfunction (main) and a man with irritable bowel syndrome (inset). A new study found a link between IBS and ED in medical students. Stock image of a man with erectile dysfunction (main) and a man with irritable bowel syndrome (inset). A new study found a link between IBS and ED in medical students. ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS “We found that medical students diagnosed with IBS exhibited a higher prevalence of ED. The significant relationship between IBS and ED underscores the need to address these issues holistically, considering physical and psychological factors,” the researchers wrote in the paper. IBS is a common, chronic gastrointestinal disorder that affects the large intestine, characterized by abdominal pain, along with changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea and constipation. Between 10 and 15 percent of U.S. adults are thought to have IBS, although only 5 to 7 percent have actually been diagnosed. There are a variety of potential triggers for IBS symptoms, ranging from changes in the gut bacteria to psychological stress. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection, resulting in difficulty having sex. This condition is more common in older men, but can affect those of all ages, and impacts around 30 million across the U.S. ED can arise as a result of a large range of factors as well, including cardiovascular issues, hormonal issues, lifestyle, and stress or anxiety. According to the study, while IBS is seen in 3.8 percent of people worldwide, it has a rate of between 30.9 and 36.3 percent in medical students. Of the 133 students surveyed in the study, 10.5 percent had IBS, while 38.4 percent had ED, 9 percent od which had “severe” ED. “Medical students with IBS had a 108 percent higher prevalence of ED than those without the syndrome,” the researchers wrote in the paper. “Other confounding variables were not significantly associated.” “This study reveals a significant association between IBS and a higher prevalence of ED in these students.” This link could be due to the stress of being a medical student, which may influence sex hormone production or trigger neurological issues, or potentially be linked to a lack of sexual confidence resulting from the unpleasant symptoms of IBS. Additionally, IBS may alter gut hormones, which in turn influence blood flow and nerve signaling that can cause ED. “This observed association may be due to the fact that individuals with IBS often experience diminished quality of life resulting from the disease, which commonly results in a significant mental and emotional impact,” the researchers wrote. A previous 2024 study in the journal Scientific Reports found an association between another chronic digestive condition, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and ED. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about erectile dysfunction? Let us know via science@newsweek.com. References Valladares-Garrido, M. J., Zapata-Castro, L. E., Quiroga-Castañeda, P. P., Berrios-Villegas, I., Vera-Ponce, V. J., León-Figueroa, D. A., Pereira-Victorio, C. J., & Valladares-Garrido, D. (2024). Irritable bowel syndrome and erectile dysfunction in medical students at a Peruvian university: an analytical cross-sectional analysis. Sexual Medicine, 12(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/sexmed/qfae021