Medical Oddities: Long workweeks meet erectile function - Scorecard - MDSpire
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Medical Oddities: Long workweeks meet erectile function

From work stress to lullabies, bay leaves, and one-legged cycling, medicine gets weird.

  • By

  • Teraya Smith

  • October 1, 2026

  • 5 min

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Clinical Scorecard: Medical Oddities: Long workweeks meet erectile function

At a Glance

CategoryDetail
ConditionErectile Dysfunction
Key MechanismsWorkplace stress impacts hormonal levels and erectile function.
Target PopulationFull-time working men aged 22 to 40 years.
Care SettingClinical practice and occupational health.

Key Highlights

  • Mean IIEF-5 scores decreased from 22.86 to 15.28 as stress increased.
  • ED prevalence rose from 8.21% to 54.37% in high-stress groups.
  • Morning cortisol levels increased while testosterone levels decreased with stress.
  • Each additional 10 working hours per week correlated with a 1.82-point drop in erectile function scores.
  • Supervisor support showed the strongest protective association against ED.

Guideline-Based Recommendations

Diagnosis

  • Utilize the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) for assessment.

Management

  • Address workplace stressors and promote supervisor support.

Monitoring & Follow-up

  • Regularly assess hormonal levels (cortisol and testosterone) in stressed individuals.

Risks

  • Increased prevalence of erectile dysfunction associated with high workplace stress.

Patient & Prescribing Data

Full-time working men aged 22 to 40 years experiencing workplace stress.

Consider interventions that reduce workplace stress and enhance supervisor support.

Clinical Best Practices

  • Encourage work-life balance to mitigate stress-related health issues.
  • Implement workplace wellness programs focusing on mental health.

Related Resources & Content

Original Source(s)

Medical Oddities: Long workweeks meet erectile function

  • by Teraya Smith

  • October 1, 2026

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