A Review Plus Reddit Analysis Found Mixed Evidence on Cannabis and Male Sexual Health, With Men Seeking Answers Online | Research

The takeaway

Literature showed cannabis negatively affects semen parameters with varying effects on erectile function and hormones, while analysis of 372,686 Reddit posts revealed men are actively seeking answers about cannabis and sexual health, often sharing conflicting experiences.

Urologists, men's health specialists, sexual medicine clinicians, cannabis users concerned about sexual health.

Cannabis negatively affects semen parameters but has varying effects on erectile function

What the researchers found

Literature review found negative effects of cannabis on semen parameters with varying effects on erectile function and hormone levels. Analysis of 372,686 Reddit posts found 1,190 (0.3%) discussing cannabis and men's health. Among 272 manually analyzed posts, men sought answers and shared conflicting experiences about cannabis effects on sexual health. Quantitative analysis revealed a thematic cluster linking cannabis with insecurity and mental/physical health.

Why it matters

Men are increasingly using cannabis while also worrying about its effects on their sexual health, but they are turning to Reddit rather than clinicians for answers. The gap between patient concern and clinical evidence highlights a need for better research and clinical communication.

The numbers in context

372,686 Reddit posts analyzed. 1,190 (0.3%) relevant to cannabis and men's health. 272 posts manually analyzed. Literature shows negative semen effects, varying erectile and hormonal effects.

How the study worked

Combined qualitative PubMed review following PRISMA guidelines with analysis of 372,686 Reddit posts from 5 men's health forums (August 2018-August 2019). Natural language processing and principal component analysis for quantitative Reddit analysis.

What this study cannot tell us

Reddit analysis cannot verify clinical claims or user demographics. Literature review found limited quality human studies. Selection bias in both Reddit users and research participants. Semen parameter changes may not translate to fertility outcomes.

How to read the evidence

Qualitative review with novel social media analysis. Human studies on cannabis and male sexual health are limited.

When this study was published

Published in 2023.

The bigger picture

The Reddit analysis adds a dimension rarely captured in clinical research: what men actually worry about. The conflicting online experiences mirror the conflicting clinical evidence, suggesting the relationship between cannabis and sexual function may be genuinely variable across individuals.

Questions still open

Do cannabis effects on sexual function vary by dose, frequency, or individual factors?
Would clinician-initiated conversations about cannabis and sexual health improve patient outcomes?

Common questions

Does cannabis affect male sexual health?

Research shows cannabis can negatively affect semen quality, but effects on erectile function and hormones are inconsistent. Men online report widely varying personal experiences.

Can cannabis cause erectile dysfunction?

Evidence is mixed. Some studies suggest negative effects while others do not. The inconsistency may reflect dose-dependent or individual-variable effects.

Read the original research

Cannabis and male sexual health: contemporary qualitative review and insight into perspectives of young men on the internet.

Sexual medicine reviews, 11(2), 139-150

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Shahinyan, Gary K; Hu, Ming-Yeah Y; Jiang, Tommy; Osadchiy, Vadim; Sigalos, John T; Mills, Jesse N; Kachroo, Naveen; Eleswarapu, Sriram V. (2023). Cannabis and male sexual health: contemporary qualitative review and insight into perspectives of young men on the internet.. Sexual medicine reviews, 11(2), 139-150. https://doi.org/10.1093/sxmrev/qeac010