Highlights
- Recent news stories about winter athletes who froze their penises have made men anxious.
- Can cold weather cause ED? The answer is: yes, but mostly it’s a temporary effect.
- In freezing temperatures, blood vessels are constricted, which may lead to passing problems with erections.
- If you’ve suffered an intimate frostbite, act immediately and warm the area.
- Extreme cases of frostbite can lead to tissue damage.
Who knew cross-country skiing could be so risky? Recently an athlete got a frostbite of a very personal nature during a competition in Finland.
If you like winter sports or are into cold water swimming, you may be asking yourself, “Can cold weather cause ED?” In short, the answer is yes, it can. But don’t hide your skiing gear in the closet just yet. There are ways to protect your private parts from the harsh elements.
Cross-Country Skier Gets “Winter Penis”
Winter sports became a hot topic in 2023 when one of the FIS competition contestants froze his penis in sub-zero conditions. Swedish athlete Calle Halfvarsson took part in a 20 kilometer cross-country skiing run, wearing only a thin sports suit. Temperatures were at 5 Fahrenheit (-15 Celsius) that day.
As he rushed to the tent after a completed race, the man said he lost all feeling in his private parts. It took him a whole ten minutes to warm his body up again and get sensation back.
Halfvarsson was lucky. At the Beijing Olympic Games, another cross-country skier, Remi Lindholm from Finland, got an even more serious frostbite and reported “unbearable” discomfort as he was trying to warm his genitals.
The Impact of Freezing Temperatures on Male Genitals
Even if you’re not a pro athlete, you may be exposing your genitals to low temperatures. In his memoir, Prince Harry famously admitted to getting an intimate frostbite while on a charity expedition to the North Pole.
And there’s the growing popularity of cold water swimming. Many people are drawn into icy waters in the hopes of increasing longevity.
Cold water baths and swimming expose the penis to extremely low temperatures.
Most men can attest that cold has an instant impact on the penis and testicles — and any woman who’s watched Seinfeld. But what exactly is happening to the penis (and your body in general) when it’s subjected to extreme cold?
- Vasoconstriction. When it’s freezing and you’re not properly dressed, the body seeks ways to conserve energy. Blood vessels narrow and circulation is reduced, especially in the “extremities,” that is your hands, arms and legs, and yes, the penis, in an attempt to keep the internal organs and brain warm.
- Stress response. Humans were designed to keep a steady body temperature. If that balance is challenged, we react with stress. After two hours in cold air, our levels of the stress hormone cortisol rise. More than three hours in the cold will raise adrenaline levels, too.
- Hypothermia. When your body temperature drops to 15 Fahrenheit (35 Celsius), it’s called hypothermia. The condition can be life-threatening. But even less serious exposure to cold can have a negative impact on your overall health.
- Psychological distress. Unless you’re like Iceman from X-Men, you probably don’t enjoy the piercing cold. Our minds react with stress and anxiety when faced with unfavorable weather conditions. It’s a survival mechanism — we know we need to find shelter to stay warm.
Cold Weather and Erectile Dysfunction
With all that physical and mental stress caused by the cold, are winter athletes (or any man who enjoys cold showers or baths) at a greater risk of erectile dysfunction?
Erections depend on blood flow into the penis. If your blood vessels are constricted due to cold and stress, your ability to get and maintain an erection may become compromised.
Fortunately, most men who freeze their penises are able to regain sexual function once their body temperature and other important functions stabilize. As of today, researchers haven’t found a direct and long-term causal relationship between winter and ED.
The only exception: In extreme cases (such as high-altitude climbing), you can get serious frostbite resulting in tissue damage. Typically, it’s the fingers or toes that suffer and sometimes have to be amputated. But without enough insulation, the penis could meet the same fate.
High altitude mountaineering comes with a high risk of severe frostbite.
How to Protect Your Privates From Frostbite
If you’re not climbing Mount Everest or hiking the Arctic Circle, the risk of freezing your penis or compromising its erectile function due to the cold is low. Still, you should be cautious about cold weather and ED and make sure your private parts stay protected during those winter runs or hikes.
Here’s what you can do to keep warm:
- Wear extra layers of thermal underwear, for example, merino wool products.
- Wear wind-resistant running shorts to prevent those extra cold blasts on your intimate parts.
- Avoid long, cold water baths, and give your body time to warm up afterward.
Be Smart About Cold Weather and ED
Can cold weather cause ED? As it turns out, it can, but it’s usually temporary. To keep your sexual health in good shape, avoid extreme exposure to freezing temperatures.
And don’t let winter temperatures keep you on the couch all the time! It’s good to stay outdoors and move in the winter. If you’re smart and wear layers of clothing that help you stay dry, the exercise will boost your immune system and energy level. 
Winter running? Don’t forget the long underwear!
Manage Winter ED With Ease
Even if you’re not a pro athlete or extreme wellness enthusiast, winter and erectile dysfunction may affect your sexual wellbeing. In most cases, prescription medication for ED helps solve the problem.
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Disclaimer: This article provides general information about health and related topics but is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Anka Grzywacz is a sexologist, reproductive health expert and Certified Sex Coach™. In her online practice she helps busy women and couples solve their intimate problems.