Dear smokers, I have bad news for you. In fact, the naked truth that smoking affects potency in a negative way has been known for a long time. You yourself have definitely seen the warning labels and pictures on cigarette packs. Moreover, you may have heard the medical term “nicotine impotence”. Anyway, today I propose to talk about the connection between erectile dysfunction and smoking.
The effect of nicotine on male sexual function
Most men have real phobia of impotence. However, many imagine this diagnosis as a complete loss of erection. Meanwhile, in fact, erectile dysfunction most often manifests itself as insufficient firmness of the penis.
The condition of this male organ depends on a symbiosis of factors, including blood circulation. Obviously, smoking has a negative effect on blood vessels. Thus, smoking affects potency – indirectly and negatively.
First, nicotine causes the blood vessels to constrict. In addition, it provokes a spasm of the vascular walls. This, in turn, affects the arteries of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, as well as the penis. With prolonged abuse of nicotine, the structure of blood vessels and their ability to relax worsen, they lose former firmness and elasticity.
Some studies on the effect of smoking on potency
A number of studies have shown that the negative effects of smoking on blood vessels and sexual function are in most cases reversible. In other words, if you give up the bad habit, you can return to a normal erection over time. However, in order to speed up the process, better use the drugs for erectile dysfunction at the same time.
One of the scientific studies has shown that problems with potency attack more than half (53%) of smokers aged 40 to 47 years. By the way, smoking affects potency in different ways. In particular, men may complain of a weak erection, difficulty in maintaining it, early ejaculation, or, conversely, the inability to finish.
Scientists have also found that the likelihood of problems and their intensity correlate with smoking history. Men who smoke one pack of cigarettes a day are 60% more likely to develop impotence than non-smokers. For ex-smokers, the risk is 15% higher than for those who have never abused nicotine. Diagnosed impotence in smokers occurs 30% more often than in people without such bad habits.
Other effects of smoking and factors important for male health
Of course, smoking affects potency, but it also negatively influences the quality indicators of sperm. Smokers have a decrease in sperm count, spermatozoids become less mobile. So, if you want to not only enjoy quality sex, but also become a father, better quit smoking as soon as possible.
However, do not try to focus only on how smoking affects potency. Do not forget that other factors – a sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, alcohol abuse, stress, and so on – also negatively affect male sexual power.