Space exploration may unfortunately lead to erectile dysfunction, study finds

Our planet's location in the "Goldilocks zone" of our solar system may have been instrumental in igniting life here, but it is our atmosphere and inherent magnetic field that truly deserve credit for the planet's sustained habitability. These protective forces shield us from the relentless onslaught of cosmic rays, which possess the ability to mutate and destroy the DNA of any lifeforms they encounter.

However, in the unforgiving environment of space, and on the Moon and Mars, we no longer enjoy the luxury of such protective benevolence. As a consequence, many astronauts may face a rather humiliating consequence – the loss of their erections.

A recent study has revealed that prolonged exposure to galactic radiation and the weightlessness of space can cause damage to erectile tissues in men, with effects that could persist for years.

To investigate these effects, researchers exposed a group of unfortunate rats to simulated cosmic rays while their hind limbs were suspended at a 30-degree angle for four weeks. The study revealed that even low-level exposure to galactic cosmic rays increased oxidative stress in the rodents, impairing the function of the arteries responsible for maintaining blood flow and erection in their penises.

The suspension was implemented not merely to satisfy the researchers' space-faring frustrations but to simulate the weightlessness of space. While this awkward posture did impact the rats' erections, its effect was far less pronounced than that of radiation exposure.

Fortunately, there may still be hope for our aspiring space explorers. The scientists also discovered that treatment with specific antioxidants appeared to improve the function of the damaged tissues. This suggests that all is not yet lost, except for the erection, of course, but only temporarily.

The findings of this research have been published in The FASEB Journal and can be accessed here.