SHAH ALAM - Tiny plastic fragments, called microplastics, have been discovered for the first time in human penile tissue, according to a study published in IJIR: Your Sexual Medicine Journal.
This raises concerns about a potential link to erectile dysfunction (ED).
The study, reported by CNN Health, analysed tissue samples from five men undergoing penile implant surgery for ED at the University of Miami. Four out of five samples contained microplastics.
"The presence of microplastics in the penis is unsurprising.
"The penis, like the heart, is a highly vascular organ," said lead author Ranjith Ramasamy, a reproductive urology expert.
Microplastics are less than 5 millimetres in size and can be as small as a micrometre.
They come from larger plastics breaking down or shedding tiny particles.
These fragments are now being found everywhere, from the deepest oceans to our food chain, and even inside our bodies.
The study also found polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) to be the most common microplastics in the penile tissue.
Further research is needed to determine if these particles are linked to ED or other health problems.
"We need to identify if microplastics are linked to ED and if there are specific types or quantities that cause harm," said Ramasamy.
The study's findings add to growing evidence of microplastic presence in humans.
Previous research found microplastics in human blood and testicles.
Toxicologist Matthew J. Campen, not involved in the study, called it "an interesting confirmation of the ubiquity of plastics in the body."
While plastics are generally considered inert, they could potentially disrupt bodily processes.
To reduce exposure to microplastics, experts recommended using stainless steel or glass containers instead of plastic, avoiding microwaving plastic items, and not putting them in the dishwasher.
This research opened a new avenue for studying the impact of environmental pollutants on male sexual health.
Further studies are needed to confirm a link between microplastics and ED and understand the potential mechanisms involved.