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LiveScience
LiveScience
Emily Cooke

Erectile dysfunction risk may rise on lengthy space missions, rat study reveals

In space, astronauts are exposed to weightlessness and much higher levels of cosmic rays than on Earth, which could impact their long-term sexual health. (Image credit: Nisian Hughes via Getty Images)

Deep space exploration may increase the risk of astronauts developing erectile dysfunction, new research on rats suggests. 

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 Wednesday (Nov. 22) in The FASEB Journal.  

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