Male Astronauts May Be at Risk of Erectile Dysfunction in Space
- NASA
Jakarta – Exposure to cosmic radiation and pressure in space may increase the risk of astronaut developing erectile dysfunction, according to research conducted on mice.
In experiments in the lab, male rats' exposure to simulated galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) and weightlessness impaired the function of the erectile tissue in the penis, according to a new study published on Wednesday, November 22, in The FASEB Journal.
These effects were observed even after a year-long recovery period, suggesting that deep space exploration could have long-lasting health impacts for astronauts.
Ilustrasi astronot yang sedang bercocok tanam di Bulan.
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With crewed missions to outer space planned for the coming years, "This work indicates that sexual health should be closely monitored in astronauts upon their return to Earth," said co-senior study author Justin La Favor, an assistant professor who studies neurovascular dysfunction at Florida State University, as reported from Live Science site.
As the space industry prepares to send astronauts around the moon as early as 2024 and to Mars by 2040, more attention is being paid to the potential long-term impacts of deep space exploration on the human body.
During such missions, astronauts would be exposed to weightlessness due to the low levels of gravity in space, as well as high levels of GCR.
On Earth, the planet's thick atmosphere helps to deflect energetic subatomic particles (CGR) back into space, protecting life below. But in space, there is less protection, so astronauts are more exposed to its effects.
For example, a six-month stay on the International Space Station will give astronauts a dose of radiation from cosmic rays equivalent to about 25 lifetimes on Earth's surface.
Astronot.
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High exposure to GCR could lead to certain cancers, neurological damage and cardiovascular disease.
"Both GCR and weightlessness are associated with adverse health outcomes, although the effects on erectile function had not previously been investigated," La Favor said.
