Your soap and erectile dysfunction

Could your soap really cause erectile dysfunction?

While singing in the shower, have you ever
stopped to think that the soap you’re using may
be affecting your erections? Probably not, but the
truth is that chemicals common in many
antibacterial soaps may affect your ability to
produce or maintain an erection<.
Benefits largely unproven
Many of us fear the unseen bacteria lurking almost
everywhere. Because of this, we often look for
"antibacterial" labels on products while shopping
in the hope of keeping ourselves and our children
healthy. Much of this fear has been created by the
producers of these commercial goods, with
advertising insisting that we need these products
to avoid becoming ill. The truth of the matter is
that the benefits of using antibacterial products are
largely unproven, according to a statement by the
US Federal Drug Administration (FDA).
Manufacturers need to add certain chemicals
during the production process to make products
"antibacterial". Such chemicals can be found in
many consumer products such as soap,
toothpaste, kitchenware and even toys, but may
actually be more harmful than we think.
Triclosan is one of the chemicals used for
antibacterial properties. Beyond Pesticide explains
that it is predominantly absorbed through the skin,
from soap, body washes and lotions or through the
lining of the mouth, from toothpaste or food
exposed to the chemical.
It has been linked to an increased risk of allergies,
eczema and asthma in children. It is also
considered to be a potential endocrine disruptor.
This means that research has indicated that it
could potentially affect hormone functioning in the
human body.
Bacterial resistance to triclosan has been shown
during research although further studies are
needed to show what effect it would have on
bacterial resistance in a normal environment, The
Encyclopaedia of Earth explains. The FDA states
that certain antibacterial ingredients such as
triclosan may actually be linked to bacterial
resistance to antibiotics.
Read: Popular toothpaste brand linked to cancer
Triclosan and male sexual health
The results of 2008 study published in the Oxford
Journal of Toxicology Sciences , suggest that
exposure to Triclosan can affect certain hormone
levels. The study exposed rats to triclosan at a
concentration of 5ml per 100g body mass. The
researchers found that the rats exposed to
triclosan had significantly lower testosterone levels
than the control group.
Another study into rats conducted by The Indian
Institute of Technology’s Department of
Biotechnology showed that exposure to triclosan
over a 60 day period resulted in lower sperm
production.
While researchers are yet to conduct similar
studies in humans, experts are advocating the
removal of triclosan from consumer products
because of the multiple risks it could pose to our
health.
What effects can lower testosterone have?
Testosterone is the main male sex hormone and is
responsible for sexual function. Low testosterone
levels can have a number of effects on a man.
Some symptoms are poor sleep, irritability,
depressed mood, poor muscle tone and increased
body fat, especially around the stomach.
Sexually, it can result in a lower sex drive,
shrinking testes, abnormal sperm production and
erectile dysfunction, a Health24 article states.
Should I change my soap?
The FDA is conducting further research into
triclosan to determine what effects the chemical
could have in humans, so for now, the decision
lies with you really.
Locally, Johnson & Johnson South Africa and
Reckitt Benckiser have decided to phase out the
chemical from their products. Both Woolworths and
Clicks do not use triclosan in their house brand
products, according to an article by
Bizcommunity .
Legally, manufacturers using triclosan are required
to list it as an ingredient on the product’s label. If
you are worried about chemicals and your health,
simply avoid purchasing products that contain it.
Just as many people are neurotic about germs, it
is easy to become similarly anxious about
chemicals. Unfortunately in today’s world we
simply are exposed to many more chemicals than
the generations before us. It is possible to reduce
your exposure by adopting an organic lifestyle but
even then, chemicals cannot be avoided entirely.
- Health24