Erectile dysfunction caused by smoking

MSc. Nghiem Trung Hung, Department of Andrology, Central Military Hospital 108, said that erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient to satisfy sexual activity. sex.

There are many causes of erectile dysfunction, one of which is men’s smoking habit.

According to Dr. Hung, cigarettes release thousands of chemicals when burned, about 250 of these chemicals are harmful. Nicotine may be the most important chemical involved in ED. It may interfere with the nitrous oxide (NO) pathway that is important for erections. This substance also causes the arteries to constrict thereby reducing blood flow to the penis.

Nicotine can also cause damage and inflammation of artery walls, again reducing blood flow. A damaged blood vessel can promote fatty deposits, further narrowing the blood vessel and preventing blood from flowing easily to the genitals.

Additionally, smokeless tobacco or e-cigarette products also contain nicotine, so although they may have fewer harmful chemicals, the harmful effects of nicotine are the same. Researchers at New York University found that e-cigarette use doubled the risk of ED in men 20 years of age and older.

“It is best for men to avoid all forms of smoking and avoid exposure to cigarette smoke to reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction,” Dr. Hung said.

Erectile dysfunction will improve after quitting smoking, according to Dr. Hung. The time it takes for you to see a change in your ED symptoms may vary. One study found that after one year, ED symptoms improved in 25% of participants who quit smoking. The time needed depends on the individual, age, severity of ED before smoking cessation, and other serious health problems.

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