Cannabis Use Linked to Higher Erectile Dysfunction Odds in Sexual Minority Men | Research

The takeaway

Among sexual minority men, cannabis users had 83% higher odds of reporting erectile dysfunction compared to non-users.

Sexual minority men, sexual health researchers, and clinicians working with LGBTQ+ populations.

83% higher odds of ED among cannabis users

What the researchers found

In a cross-sectional survey of 549 sexual minority men, marijuana users had 1.83 times the odds of reporting erectile dysfunction compared to non-users (95% CI: 1.23-2.74) after adjusting for confounders. ED prevalence was higher among bisexual men than gay men.

Why it matters

Erectile dysfunction research has largely overlooked sexual minority men. This study fills an important gap by examining cannabis-ED associations in a population with both higher rates of cannabis use and unique sexual health considerations.

The numbers in context

549 participants (52.1% gay, 47.9% bisexual). Cannabis users had adjusted odds ratio of 1.83 (95% CI: 1.23-2.74) for ED. ED prevalence was higher in bisexual men versus gay men.

How the study worked

Secondary analysis of the Men's Body Project, a cross-sectional online survey of sexual minority men. Multivariable logistic regression examined the association between self-reported marijuana use and erectile dysfunction.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional design prevents determining causation. Self-reported ED and cannabis use are subject to recall and reporting bias. The online convenience sample may not represent the broader population of sexual minority men.

How to read the evidence

Cross-sectional online survey with self-reported outcomes. Convenience sampling limits generalizability.

When this study was published

2026 study.

The bigger picture

The endocannabinoid system plays a role in erectile function, and this finding adds to a growing body of evidence linking cannabis use to sexual dysfunction. However, the cross-sectional design cannot establish whether cannabis causes ED or whether other factors explain the association.

Questions still open

Does frequency or duration of cannabis use affect the strength of this association? Could the relationship be explained by underlying anxiety or other mental health factors common in both cannabis use and ED?

Common questions

Does cannabis cause erectile dysfunction?

This study found an association but cannot prove causation. Cannabis users had higher odds of ED, but other factors like mental health or lifestyle differences could contribute.

Why study this specifically in sexual minority men?

Sexual minority men have been largely excluded from ED research despite potentially different patterns of cannabis use and sexual health concerns.

Read the original research

Association between marijuana use and erectile dysfunction in a sample of sexual minority men: a cross-sectional analysis.

Journal of cannabis research

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Otieno, Marion; Zhao, Yunan; Tran, Alvin. (2026). Association between marijuana use and erectile dysfunction in a sample of sexual minority men: a cross-sectional analysis.. Journal of cannabis research. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42238-026-00411-1