Erectile dysfunction associated with concussions in former NFL players

This content was originally authored by Malayka Gormally in the 9/12/19 edition of our Weekly Concussion Update newsletter.

A study found an association between concussions suffered while playing in the NFL and low testosterone and erectile dysfunction (ED) later in life. Of the 3,409 former pro football players surveyed by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Harvard Medical School,18% reported low testosterone, and 22.7% reported ED. This study is part of Harvard’s Football Players Health Study.

“Players reporting the most concussion symptoms had nearly twice the risk of ED as those reporting the fewest symptoms,” according to CNBC. Even players with relatively few concussion symptoms had an increased risk of low testosterone levels, which can contribute to diminished libido, impaired ability to orgasm, and ED. Head trauma injuries to the pituitary gland likely cause low testosterone levels.

The average age of the study participants was 52.5 years old, meaning that concussions were affecting their sexual health decades later. According to the authors, the study results have implications for all those who have experienced a head injury, including civilians, veterans, and participants in “combative and contact sports” such as mixed martial arts, hockey, boxing, and soccer.

Authors Rachel Grashow, PhD, MS et al. suggest that “men with a history of head injury may benefit from discussions with their health care clinicians regarding testosterone deficiency and sexual dysfunction.” The authors add, “treatments for testosterone insufficiency and ED, including testosterone replacement therapy and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, are generally considered safe and have high efficacy rates.” The study was published in JAMA Neurology. 

To learn about increased rates of sexual dysfunction among women with concussions, see the Women’s Health section of our August 29th newsletter from earlier this year.