How do e-cigarettes harm men’s physiology?

This article is expertly advised by Dr.BS.CK2 Tra Anh Duy, Men’s Health Center.

Overview of electronic cigarettes

An e-cigarette is a device that uses battery power to heat a solution containing nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals, creating a vapor that the user inhales.

– Main ingredients:

• Nicotine: A strong addictive substance, increases blood pressure, causes blood vessel spasms and damages the nervous system.
• Propylene glycol and glycerin: These substances are used to create vapor, but when heated, they create harmful compounds.
• Flavoring: Added to increase appeal, but some flavors contain diacetyl – a substance linked to obstructive lung disease.
• Heavy metals: Including lead, cadmium, and nickel, released from heating coils, are potentially harmful to the body.

– Advertising and reality:

Although promoted as a method to help reduce harm compared to traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are not actually a safer option. On the contrary, they cause many serious health problems, especially affecting men’s physiological health.

Negative impact on male physiological function

– Blood flow disorders:

Nicotine – the main ingredient in e-cigarettes, causes blood vessel constriction, reducing blood flow to the penis, directly affecting the ability to have an erection. According to research in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, nicotine use increases the risk of erectile dysfunction by 30% in men under 40 years old.

– Causes oxidative stress:

Nicotine stimulates the production of free radicals, leading to oxidative stress, endothelial cell damage, and impaired sexual function.

– Reducing Nitric Oxide:

Nitric oxide (NO) is a substance needed to dilate blood vessels and support erection. Nicotine inhibits NO production, impairing erection ability. Accordingly, nicotine-induced oxidative stress is the main cause of reduced NO production.

– Reduce Testosterone levels:

Nicotine in e-cigarettes reduces testosterone levels – the main sex hormone in men, leading to reduced sexual desire and deterioration of overall health. Research shows that men who vape have 20% lower testosterone levels than those who don’t.

– Impact on sperm:

Nicotine and other chemicals in e-cigarettes damage sperm DNA, reduce motility and increase the risk of infertility. Chemicals in e-cigarettes reduce sperm mobility by up to 25%.

– Affects the ability to fertilize:

In addition to reducing sperm quality, e-cigarettes also reduce fertilization through mechanisms such as changing the semen environment and causing genital inflammation.

– Damage to genital tissue:

Propylene glycol and glycerin, when heated, create inflammatory compounds that damage genital tissue. E-cigarette vapor contains propylene glycol which can cause chronic inflammation and affect physiological health.

– Damage to reproductive cells:

Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium and nickel released from heating coils in e-cigarettes can cause damage to reproductive cells. A report in Environmental Health Perspectives indicates that these heavy metals cause accumulation in the body, negatively affecting fertility.

– Impaired erectile function:

Nicotine and toxic chemicals in vapes can cause irreversible damage to blood vessels and nerves, leading to erectile dysfunction.

– Increased risk of infertility:

Sperm DNA damage and altered semen environment due to e-cigarettes can lead to infertility in men with long-term use.

Great influence on male psychology

Not only does it cause physical damage, e-cigarettes also greatly affect men’s psychology:

– Health concerns: Concerns about the long-term harmful effects of e-cigarettes can reduce confidence in romantic relationships.

– Nicotine addiction: Nicotine dependence increases psychological pressure, leading to decreased physiological ability.

Advice from experts

– Quit e-cigarettes:

Stopping the use of e-cigarettes is the first step to protecting your health. Nicotine addiction support programs can help make the process easier.

– Maintain a healthy lifestyle:

• Exercise regularly: Improves blood circulation and cardiovascular health.
• Eat scientifically: Add foods rich in antioxidants such as green vegetables and fruits.

– Monitor physiological health:

Regularly visit an andrologist to detect and treat physiological health problems early.