Early endothelial dysfunction as a marker of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction in young habitual cannabis users

Introduction

Present epidemiological studies suggest that the incidence of severe erectile dysfunction (ED) in men below 40 years is very low (2.3%).1 In the same age range, such incidence increases notably (27%) in the presence of cigarette smoking.2 Nevertheless, there are few vascular penile blood flow studies showing an organic etiology of ED in such an age range. It has been suggested that in young men below 30 years of age, the vascular origin of ED can be a false positive of duplex ultrasound procedure mainly because of the presence of an adrenergic overtone during the office setting,3 but such data have been disre- garded.4 More notably, in this age range, cannabis use is highly prevalent (up to 80%) and even if the majority of drug users report a stimulation of sexual desire and improvement in sexual performance,5 the real effects of cannabis use on vascular penile function appears to be poorly investigated. Animal studies have not underlined any significant mod- ification in sexual activity, which would have led to the exclusion of any ‘aphrodisiac’ effect of this recreational drug.6

na íntegra: IJIR_08.pdf