Time on the battlefield can change a man. After knowing nothing but war, integrating back into society can be a daunting task that can lead to PTSD and mental health problems. But the young men return from war aren’t just expiriencing mental problems. According to a recently conducted study, erection problems are on the rise among the troops.
The study, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, revealed that one third of male troops under 40 reported expiriencing erection problems. The study used data from a fall 2013 study of 367 male military personnel. Within that group, the servicemen collectively acknowledged an erection problem rate of 33 percent.
Conversely, the civilian erection problem rate among men the same age is around 7 percent.
Researchers attribute the rise to more men suffering post traumatic stress disorder upon returning to civilian life, which can lead to a litany of mental health problems. Men suffering from PTSD can often find it difficult to consistently achieve an erection.
Among the 367 test subjects, about 80 percent had gone to combat in Iraq or Afghanistan, and the researchers estimated that approximately 46 percent of those troops with erection problems also had “probable” Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The findings of this study were strong enough for the Pentagon to sit up and take notice. According to a Department of Defense spokesman, the Pentagon was looking into the problem.
While the findings are certainly interesting, the researchers stressed that the study was preliminary, and more research needs to be done.
Evan Hopkins is a 24 year old writer operating out of Atlanta, GA. When he isn’t writing, he enjoys reading books, drinking coffee, and folk music.