Microplastics and Men’s Sexual Health
Could microplastics be sabotaging your sex drive and your sexual function?
Posted May 24, 2026 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader
You’ve probably heard that microplastics are everywhere. They’re in the ocean, in the air, in your food, and in your water. But here’s something that might hit closer to home: They’re also inside your body and new research suggests they may be interfering with your sexual health.
This is a rapidly growing area of research and it’s raising serious questions about what everyday exposure to microplastics is doing to our sexual health. In this post, I will take a look at how microplastics can affect men’s sexual health. In the next post, we will examine how they may be affecting women’s sexual health.
What Are Microplastics?
Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic, less than 5 millimeters in size, and often much smaller. They break off from plastic bottles, food packaging, and countless other products we use every day. They are even in our clothes. We inhale them, swallow them in food and water, and absorb them through our skin.
Once inside the body, they don’t just pass through. Studies have confirmed that microplastics accumulate in human organs, including the testicles.
A 2024 study found microplastics in 100% of human testicles they examined. This is important because the testes are where testosterone is produced.
What Happens When Microplastics Reach the Testes?
Testosterone is produced by specialized cells called Leydig cells. You can think of these cells as tiny testosterone factories. When microplastics infiltrate the testes, they interfere with these cells in several ways:
Can Microplastics Cause Low Libido or Erectile Dysfunction?
The short answer: Yes.
Testosterone is the primary driver of male libido. When testosterone levels fall, for any reason, sex drive typically falls with it. But the effects of low testosterone aren’t just physical. Low testosterone influences nearly every aspect of how a man feels day to day.
The vascular connection is equally important. Erections depend on healthy blood vessels and blood flow. The microplastics damage the inner lining of blood vessels and impair the production of nitric oxide, which is the molecule that causes blood vessels to enlarge. As a 2022 review showed, microplastics can disrupt signaling pathways that are critical to vascular and reproductive function. No nitric oxide signal, no erection. By the way, this is the same pathway that drugs like sildenafil (Viagra) target.
Inflammation adds another layer. Microplastics cause chronic low-grade inflammation wherever they accumulate. A study published last year found that microplastics cause inflammation and cell death throughout the male reproductive system. Inflammation is a risk factor for both low testosterone and erectile dysfunction.
And then there’s the brain. Testosterone also affects the brain’s dopamine system. This is the reward and motivation system that leads to sexual desire. Low testosterone reduces dopamine signaling, which not only lowers physical libido, but also the psychological drive and anticipation that are equally part of healthy sexual function.
What the Research Can and Can’t Tell Us
Thus far, most of the studies exploring the effects of microplastics on male sexual health have been done in mice, often at concentrations that are higher than humans are typically exposed to. We don’t yet have large-scale human clinical trials directly linking microplastics to testosterone deficits or erectile dysfunction.
But the pieces are starting to fit together in a disturbing way. Microplastics have been confirmed in human testicles and testosterone levels have been declining in men for decades. A 2021 study found a consistent decline in testosterone levels among adolescent and young adult men in the U.S. and a 2020 study confirmed the same downward trend continuing into the 2010s.
This decline correlates with the rise of plastic production and pollution. None of this proves plastics are responsible for declining sexual health. But it’s enough to be concerning.
How Do Microplastics Affect Sperm?
A 2024 Chinese study detected microplastics in semen and urine of men and found clear associations with impaired sperm quality. Animal research has shown that chronic microplastic exposure reduces testosterone levels, damages sperm DNA , and disrupts the hormonal signaling needed for normal sperm production. A 2025 study found that continuous ingestion of plastic particles from water bottles led to hormonal imbalances and abnormal sperm production across an animal's lifetime.
The global sperm count has dropped 62% between 1973 and 2018. No single cause explains that, but the timeline of rising plastic production mirrors that decline.
You can’t avoid microplastics entirely, but you can reduce your exposure:
The bottom line is that the plastic pollution crisis isn’t just an environmental issue. It’s becoming a personal health issue, with real implications for hormonal balance, sexual health, and reproductive functioning. The good news is you can do something about it—and now is the time to start.
Share this post Facebook Bluesky Linkedin Email
There was a problem adding your email address. Please try again.
By submitting your information you agree to the Psychology Today Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
Mitchell B. Liester, M.D., is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Get the help you need from a therapist near you–a FREE service from Psychology Today.
This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.