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Cell phone usage and erectile function.

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Al-Ali BM, Patzak J, Fischereder K, Pummer K, Shamloul R. · 2013

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Men with erectile dysfunction carried active cell phones 2.5 times longer daily than healthy men, suggesting prolonged EMF exposure may impact sexual health.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers compared cell phone usage patterns between 20 men with erectile dysfunction and 10 men without sexual problems. They found that men with erectile dysfunction carried their switched-on phones significantly longer each day (4.4 hours versus 1.8 hours), though total talking time was similar between groups. This pilot study suggests a potential link between prolonged cell phone exposure and male sexual health problems.

Why This Matters

This small pilot study adds to growing concerns about radiofrequency radiation's impact on male reproductive health. The finding that men with erectile dysfunction carried active phones for nearly 2.5 times longer daily than healthy men aligns with broader research showing EMF exposure can affect testosterone levels and sperm quality. What makes this particularly relevant is that carrying a phone for 4-5 hours daily is increasingly common behavior, especially among younger men who keep devices in pants pockets near reproductive organs. While this study's small size limits definitive conclusions, it reinforces the pattern emerging from multiple research areas: chronic EMF exposure may be disrupting normal biological functions in ways we're only beginning to understand.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

The objective of this pilot study was to report our experience concerning the effects of cell phone usage on erectile function (EF) in men.

We recruited 20 consecutive men complaining of erectile dysfunction (ED) for at least six months (Gr...

There was no significant difference between both groups regarding age, weight, height, and total tes...

We found a potential correlation with cell phone usage and a negative impact on EF. Further large–scale studies confirming our initial data and exploring the mechanisms involved in this phenomenon are recommended.

Cite This Study
Al-Ali BM, Patzak J, Fischereder K, Pummer K, Shamloul R. (2013). Cell phone usage and erectile function. Cent European J Urol. 66(1):75-77, 2013.
Show BibTeX
@article{bm_2013_cell_phone_usage_and_1820,
  author = {Al-Ali BM and Patzak J and Fischereder K and Pummer K and Shamloul R.},
  title = {Cell phone usage and erectile function.},
  year = {2013},
  
  url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3921848/},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

Researchers compared cell phone usage patterns between 20 men with erectile dysfunction and 10 men without sexual problems. They found that men with erectile dysfunction carried their switched-on phones significantly longer each day (4.4 hours versus 1.8 hours), though total talking time was similar between groups. This pilot study suggests a potential link between prolonged cell phone exposure and male sexual health problems.