BPA, erectile dysfunction linked

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OAKLAND, Calif., May 28 (UPI) -- U.S. and Chinese researchers have linked bisphenol A in the urine to worsening male sexual function.

BPA is an organic compound commonly used in manufacturing polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins and is now contained in a wide variety of consumer products.

The 5-year Kaiser Permanente study, published in the Journal of Andrology, linked increasing urine BPA levels with decreased sexual desire, more difficulty having an erection, lower ejaculation strength and lower level of overall satisfaction with sex life. The association was dose-dependent, the study said.

"This is the first human study to show that high urine BPA is associated with lower male sexual function," lead author Dr. De-Kun Li of Kaiser Permanente's division of research in Oakland, Calif., said in a statement. "Also, even among men exposed to BPA from only environmental sources -- no occupational exposure and with average BPA level lower than the average observed in the American population -- there were indications of an increased risk of sexual dysfunction."

Li and colleagues examined 427 workers in factories in China and compared workers in BPA manufacturing facilities with a control group of workers in factories where no BPA was present.

Li noted the estimates in the environmentally exposed group were not statistically significant due to small sample size, but the finding may enhance the understanding of the BPA effect in human populations with low-dose environmental exposure and have important public health implications.