Why smoking causes impotence

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National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, pp 13— Google Scholar. Download references. You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar. Correspondence to R Shiri. Reprints and Permissions. Shiri, R. Relationship between smoking and erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 17, — Download citation. Received : 24 February Revised : 09 August Accepted : 13 September Published : 28 October Issue Date : 01 March Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:.

Even if the nervous system is operating well, an erection might not be physically possible if the blood vessels are unhealthy due to smoking. While ED tends to be more common as men get older, it can develop at any adult age. A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests that ED is more likely in men who smoked compared with those who never did. But in younger men with ED, cigarette smoking is very likely the cause.

If you are a heavy smoker, research suggests the odds of developing ED are much higher. However, quitting smoking can improve ED symptoms. Your age, the severity of your ED before quitting smoking, and other major health problems may reduce the degree that healthy erectile function can return.

ED is a very common health problem. You may, however, be advised that one of the things you should do is quit smoking. Take a new approach this time. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends the following steps to help you quit smoking:.

Decreased libido While more research is needed, a few studies have suggested a link between nicotine and a lower sex drive in men. Infertility The American Society for Reproductive Medicine warns that tobacco use can negatively affect fertility in both men and women. Topic Harmful Effects of Tobacco. Subtopic Health. More in harmful effects of tobacco. Nicotine Addiction. Sign up for our newsletter Email. This is what keeps the erection firm enough for sexual activity.

Chemicals from smoking can interfere with this blood flow. Smoking can damage the lining of blood vessels or lead to atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries. It can also affect the smooth muscle tissue that needs to relax to allow blood to flow in. When any of these scenarios occur, less blood can reach the penis. Men may become unable to have erections.