By Staff
December 21st, 2024
BURLINGTON, ON
There are no illustrations with the article.
The best news story of the week appeared in the Toronto Star this morning.
During a week that has been gobsmacked by fast-breaking news, it was a welcome relief to learn more about the Winter penis and erictile dysfucntion.
The shift in temperatures on top of the psychological impact of the season can serve to worsen or even push people on the edge into full erectile dysfunction, experts say.
“There’s no question (patients complaining of erectile dysfunction) increase over the winter, and in most cases it’s men looking for a quick fix,” says Dr. Jack Barkin, a urologic surgeon, a leading expert on sexual dysfunction and clinical professor of surgery at the University of Toronto.
Reports of erectile dysfunction typically increase by 15 to 20 percent in the winter, compared to the regular months, he added.
Usually, when someone experiences erectile dysfunction, it falls under three categories: vasculogenic, meaning it stems from an issue with blood flow; neurogenic, where something had gone wrong with the nerves; or psychogenic, where the problem is psychological.
All three variations can be made worse by winter, but especially vasculogenic erectile dysfunction.
“There are basically three things that drive the penis. Number one is blood flow. Number two is the nerve supply that stimulates the erection itself. And then the third thing is the hormonal level — testosterone,” Barkin explained. “Those things have to be in sync for good libido, as well as good erectile functioning.”
Many can attest to the shrinkage that accompanies a sudden drop in temperature, as famously addressed on the TV show “Seinfeld” — when you leap into a pool or step out of the shower, for example.
It’s a natural function of our bodies, explained Dr. John Aquino, medical director of the Ontario Men’s Health clinic. “In cold temperatures, your body wants to keep its warmth to the core of the body for the vital organs,” he said. “So it sort of shuts down more circulation to the extremities, like your hands.”
Veins constrict, limiting blood flow and causing penile shrinkage — leading to an up to 50 per cent reduction in the organ’s length and an up to 30 per cent reduction in its circumference or girth, Barkin added. The testicles, which typically hang outside the body to maintain optimal temperatures for semen production, may also be pulled up into the body.
While this reaction is not limited to winter, the season can cause it to happen more frequently and for prolonged periods of time.
For healthy individuals, the shrinkage may have little impact on their sexual performance. “But for men that are already suffering from erectile dysfunction, this can be a real difficult phenomenon,” Barkin said, explaining that circulatory issues in the organ can be exacerbated by temperature-related blood vessel constriction.
“The penile arteries are the smallest (arteries) in the body,” he noted. This constriction can also cause some to lose an erection mid-sex if it suddenly gets chilly.
Aquino added that “if someone was already prone to erectile dysfunction — maybe they had a preexisting compromise of the small blood vessels there for various reasons, maybe they have vascular disease or diabetes or hypertension — then (winter penis) could be even a bigger challenge to overcome.”
If you don’t recover from penis shrinkage after warming back up, it may be time to see a doctor. “It may be an underlying sign of other blood vessel abnormalities — high blood pressure, for example, high cholesterol, cardiac problems or heart problems,” Barkin said.
In the end, winter penis shouldn’t have any long-term consequences, Aquino explained. “But it can be distressing for some men, though. Not just in the ego sense, but actually, the feeling of the genitalia shriveling up inside their body just physically distresses them.”
Other ways winter affects male sex drive
Penile shrinkage is just one piece of the puzzle. Barkin notes that as people bundle up indoors, they may not be getting enough sunshine exposure and, subsequently, vitamin D. A deficiency of the nutrient can lead to an increased risk of erectile dysfunction.
But perhaps a larger contributor is the psychological impact of winter. For many experiencing erectile dysfunction, the issue is “in the big head, not the little head,” Barkin explained — and seasonal affective disorder is a significant driver of this condition.
“Because of the lack of sunlight, people can get chronically depressed,” he said, explaining that it can also partly contribute to neurogenic erectile dysfunction. “That’s another reason why winter penis, or seasonal erectile dysfunction, can be quite prominent.”
Winter can also significantly affect testosterone levels, a key hormone for erectile function.
“The male hormone is very emotionally related, so things like stress and whatnot can impact dramatically on that,” Barkin said, referencing studies that found testosterone levels plummeted in people undergoing stressful situations, like U.S. army rangers undergoing training.
Meanwhile, people tend to stay inside and not exercise as much. They may gain weight and drink more alcohol — all factors that can significantly affect testosterone.
“Another component is that in cold weather, people don’t get out as much. They don’t socialize as much,” Barkin said. “The old adage of use it or lose it comes into play, where if you don’t get repeated stimulation” it might impact your future performance.
How to treat seasonal erectile dysfunction
How you treat winter penis depends on the type of erectile dysfunction you suffer from.
If it’s circulation-related, consider bundling up more when you go outside — Barkin recommends long underwear or even investing in electric, heated undergarments. “Diminish your time outside if you are suffering from that and take breaks — if you’re out skiing, go back to the chalet every 20 minutes or so,” he said.
If you’re still struggling to have an erection, try raising your body temperature by taking a warm — not hot — bath, he continued.
If you’re suffering from seasonal affective disorder, you can invest in a UV lamp, which mimics sunlight indoors. Otherwise, it’s important to continue exercising throughout winter, go on sunny walks and avoid consuming too much alcohol or tobacco to maintain healthy testosterone levels, Barkin explained.
Finally, you can see your doctor for medical intervention, whether through medication or treatments like low intensity shockwave therapy.
“The last point I wanted to make, which is so important, is smoking,” Barkin finished. “Smoking also causes (blood vessel) constriction. So if one is on the brink of erectile dysfunction, definitely stop smoking — it can have at least a 20 to 30 per cent improvement in their erectile function.”
Pepper – you had me at “Resign …Get Help”