Working 13-hour days or longer may increase a man's risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), according to a new study. Researchers found that more than half of men who worked extended hours experienced major stress and reported difficulties with sexual function.
These men had more than 10 times the odds of developing ED compared to men who worked eight-hour days, a group identified as having the lowest stress levels. The study, led by researchers at Zhejiang University School of Medicine in China, investigated 826 full-time working men aged between 22 and 40.
Scientists examined five factors contributing to workplace stress: working hours, decision-making autonomy, support from supervisors, relationships with colleagues, and pressure for promotion. The study also measured participants' hormonal levels and their ability to achieve or maintain an erection.
Results published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice indicated that approximately 54% of men in the highest-stress group reported some form of ED, compared to about 8% in the lowest-stress group. The most stressed men averaged 65 working hours per week, while the least stressed group averaged about 42 hours.
Elevated stress hormone levels, particularly cortisol, were observed in the highly stressed group, with morning cortisol levels about 74% higher than in the comparison group. Concurrently, testosterone levels in the most stressed men were approximately 40% lower.
Experts have long cautioned that prolonged stress can disrupt the body's reproductive system by triggering a persistent 'fight or flight' response, potentially compromising sexual function and reproduction as the body prioritizes survival. The study suggests that spikes in cortisol may negatively impact testosterone, the male sex hormone crucial for arousal.
Furthermore, the research indicated a temporal relationship between hormonal changes and ED. Rises in cortisol levels were observed two to four weeks before a decline in testosterone, which in turn preceded a worsening of erectile function by another four to six weeks. This suggests a potential window for intervention to mitigate stress and prevent sexual dysfunction.
The NHS describes erectile dysfunction as a common condition, affecting an estimated one in five British men, or about 4.3 million individuals. ED can range in severity, with some men able to achieve an erection but unable to maintain it.
While longer working hours emerged as a significant driver of ED in the study, having a supportive boss appeared to offer a protective effect against the condition. The authors concluded that physical workload is a primary factor affecting erectile function.