Sub-chronic psychological stress also hampers male sexual potency and penile erection

Sub-chronic psychological stress also hampers male sexual potency and penile erection
Male sexual potency is a complex neuroendocrine process and an important component of masculinity. However, many unknown factors account for nearly 50% cases of male impotency. Various scientific studies have suggested that in recent years modified lifestyle, psychological stress, nutrition/diet, and metabolic disorders, contribute significantly in the development of impotency. The relationship between psychological stress and impotency has been debated for years, with a number of studies being conducted worldwide. BHU researchers have come up with an interesting finding in this regard. Dr. Raghav Kumar Mishra, Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, and Mr. Anupam Yadav, who is pursuing his Ph.D. under the guidance of Dr. Mishra, have carried out a research to study sub-chronic
psychological stress and its impact on male sexual potency and physiology of penile erection. The study conducted on rats found out that the adult rats who were subjected to psychological stress developed symptoms which could adversely male sexual potency and erectile dysfunction.  The research team exposed rats to sub- chronic psychological stress for 1.5 to 3 hours every day for a period of 30 days and measured the neuromodulators, hormones, and  markers sexual potency and penile erection.
Psychological stress reduces the circulatory level of gonadotropins while increasing stress hormone (corticosterone) levels, which has an adverse effect on the male hormone (testosterone).  Psychological stress alters the histomorphology of penis by decreasing the smooth muscle/collagen ratio and increasing oxidative stress (imbalance between harmful molecules and anti-oxidant enzymes)  in penile tissue. This can also lead to penile fibrosis.
Further,  neurotransmitter acetylcholine and other erection-facilitating markers like p-Akt, nNOS, eNOS, and cGMP were decreased by psychological stress, while the inhibitory marker PDE5 was increased in the penis. This resulted in a reduction in the amount of NO that was available for penile erection.
Psychological stress reduces the frequencies of mount, intromission and ejaculation whereas it prolongs the duration of sexual exhaustion by increasing latencies of mount, intromission and ejaculation.
This is one of the few detailed works studying the relationship between sub-chronic psychological stress and its effect on male sexual potency and penile erection. Dr. Raghav Kumar Mishra said that the study could pave way for new areas of analysis with regard to psychological stress and Male sexual potency and vigor. The findings of the study have been published in the globally reputed journal – Neuroendocrinology.