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Does Smoking Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Most men struggle with erectile dysfunction at some point in their lives. If you are struggling with erectile dysfunction, you probably want to know if your smoking habits have anything to do with it. Does smoking cause erectile dysfunction? Yes, it does.

It damages your blood vessels and disrupts the flow of blood to the penis. If you quit smoking, your sexual performance can improve significantly. 

The Effect of Smoking on Your Blood Vessels

Smoking poses many health risks and erectile dysfunction is just one of them. It damages the lining of your blood vessels. You can achieve and maintain an erection when the arteries in your penis expand and fill with blood. Blood flows to the penis following signals from nerves in the penis.

The nerves respond to arousal signals from the brain. However, it may be impossible to achieve an erection even when the nervous system works well. Excessive smoking injures blood vessels and makes it difficult to achieve or sustain an erection. 

Men who smoke more than 20 cigarettes every day have a 60% higher chance of erectile dysfunction than men who don’t smoke. Men who currently or previously smoked have a 30% increased risk of impotence. 

Getting Help

If you are struggling with cigarette addiction, it may be time to seek help. You should seek professional help for erectile dysfunction as soon as you realize that there is a problem. If you don’t have a primary care doctor, you may need to work with a urologist. Do not assume that the problem will just go away. If you have unhealthy smoking habits, they will advise you to quit smoking. 

Quitting smoking may be difficult but it is not impossible. The following tips may help you make the process easier;

  •     Make a comprehensive list of why you need to quit. Erectile dysfunction is not the only effect of smoking
  •     If you have tried to quit smoking and failed in the past, make a list of reasons why you were unsuccessful
  •     Seek emotional support from your loved ones
  •     Get your doctor to prescribe medication that may help in your new journey
  •     Identify your smoking triggers and avoid them
  •     Find new hobbies to distract you from your smoking cravings
  •     Be prepared for setbacks. You are likely to slip up once in a while. Use the mistakes as learning opportunities and 

Even though erectile dysfunction is common for older men, it may affect smokers of all ages, According to a 2005 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, erectile dysfunction is more likely in men who smoke than in those who do not. If a young man is struggling with it, smoking is likely to be the cause. 

Contact Us

If you still struggle with the question ‘Does smoking cause erectile dysfunction?’ Dr. Lazare is happy to provide you with answers. He can also help you with any other sexual health concerns. The experienced Brooklyn, NY urologist treats erectile dysfunction, kidney stones, urinary tract infection, and prostate problems. Contact us today at (718) 568-7516 and book an appointment.

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