Pollutants and male fertility
The discovery of penile microplastics for the first time has raised concerns about a possible role in erectile dysfunction. More recently, contaminants have also been found in testicles and semen, prompting concerns about declining male fertility.
Penis and susceptibility to microplastics
The researchers said the penis may be particularly susceptible to microplastic contamination due to the high blood flow during erection. Microplastics are absorbed through eating, drinking and breathing, and tiny particles have been detected in the blood.
One study evaluated tissue taken from five men undergoing surgery for erectile dysfunction. Microplastics were found in four out of five cases, with the most common being PET and polypropylene, which are used in food and drink packaging, writes The Guardian.
Scientists have found microplastics everywhere they look, and the health impact is still unknown, although it has been shown to cause damage to human cells in the laboratory.
Impact on health
Particles can cause inflammation in tissues, just like air pollution particles, and chemicals in plastics can also cause harm. Doctors have found a significantly increased risk of death from stroke and heart attack in people whose arteries are contaminated with microplastics.
Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy, who led the research at the University of Miami in the US, pointed out that the penis is a vascular and spongy organ, which makes it vulnerable to pollution. He said erectile dysfunction is multifactorial and requires good hormones, nerves, blood supply and smooth muscle tissue for a healthy erection. Microplastics have been detected in the smooth muscles of the penis and this can lead to smooth muscle dysfunction.
Ramasamy stressed the need for more research to determine the potential role of microplastics in erectile dysfunction and male infertility. Sperm counts in men have been declining for decades, and 40% of low levels remain unexplained, although chemical pollution has been implicated in many studies. Recent studies in mice have reported that microplastics reduce sperm count and cause hormone abnormalities and disruptions.
The new research, published in IJIR: Your Sexual Medicine Journal, analyzed tissue samples taken from five men undergoing surgery for an inflatable penile prosthesis, a treatment option for men with severe erectile dysfunction. The microplastics detected ranged in size from 0.5 mm to 0.002 mm.
The threat of microplastics to health
The researchers said the widespread prevalence of microplastics was alarming and it was imperative to understand the potential implications for human health.
- Drinking water from plastic bottles
- Taking food in plastic containers
- Microwave food in plastic containers
All contribute to the presence of microplastics in our bodies, which should not be there.
In conclusion, Ramasamy emphasized: "The penis is the organ that everyone pays attention to and we must be aware of the dangers of plastic pollution.
