Microplastics have been discovered in penises for the first time, prompting concerns about their potential role in erectile dysfunction.
Damian Carrington reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Microplastics were found in four out of five penile tissue samples from men undergoing surgery for erectile dysfunction.
- High blood flow during erections might make the penis especially vulnerable to microplastic contamination.
- The potential health impacts of microplastics, including inflammation and cellular damage, are still under investigation.
Key quote:
“We found that microplastics were present in the smooth muscle of the penis. All we know is that they are not supposed to be there, and we suspect that it could lead to smooth muscle dysfunction.”
— Dr. Ranjith Ramasamy, University of Miami
Why this matters:
Microplastic contamination is widespread, infiltrating various body parts and potentially affecting male reproductive health.
