How Long After Quitting Smoking Does Erectile Dysfunction Improve?

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How Long After Quitting Smoking Does Erectile Dysfunction Improve?

People know that smoking can cause health issues, such as cancer and heart disease. But did you know that it can cause erectile dysfunction as well? It’s true — cigarette use can affect your entire body and impact your sexual performance, which can lead to a lot of frustration and embarrassment.

Men who smoke are twice as likely as non-smokers to develop erectile dysfunction. This can be concerning, but the good news is that once you stop smoking, your health improves quickly. Your blood pressure improves almost immediately and your chance of a heart attack decreases. Your circulation begins to improve within 2-12 weeks, which is great news for those with erectile dysfunction.

However, it’s hard to say how long it will take for erectile dysfunction symptoms to improve after quitting smoking. In one study, 50% of those with erectile dysfunction who quit smoking saw improvements after six months. So even once your blood circulation improves, it can still take some time for any other health issues you may have to improve enough so you can get and maintain an erection.

How Smoking Causes Erectile Dysfunction

Smoking can affect your sex life in various ways, including the following:

• Damage to blood circulation. Smoking affects blood circulation, making it difficult for men to achieve an erection. An erection is only possible when blood vessels in the penis fill with blood. Smoking prevents this from happening, causing erectile dysfunction.
• Decreased libido. Smoking can affect a man’s sex drive. Some studies suggest that cigarette use can lower a man’s libido, making him less interested in sex.
• Infertility. Smoking affects both men and women in terms of fertility. It damages the DNA in eggs and sperm. It also makes women less likely to become pregnant.

Smoking also interferes with the following:

• Endothelial function. Nitrous oxide is an important chemical messenger in order for a man to obtain an erection. Smoking reduces levels of nitrous oxide.
• Arterial structure. Smoking causes the deposition of the protein collagen into the wall of the artery. Smoking also reduces the amount of smooth muscle in the wall of the artery. This damage to the artery reduces the flow of blood to the penis.
• Oxidative stress. Smoking causes atherosclerosis, which is the deposition of arterial plaque. It does so by increasing the levels of free radicals, which leads to oxidative stress and the buildup of this plaque. Arterial plaque reduces penile blood flow, which makes an erection less likely to occur.

Contact Us Today

Smoking causes numerous health issues and it can even affect your sex life. If you are a smoker dealing with sexual issues, seek medical help to improve your health and lifestyle.

See how a New York doctor from Lazare Urology can help you with erectile dysfunction. Dr. Jonathan Lazare offers safe and effective medical treatments that can help. To learn more, you can schedule a consultation by calling our office at (718) 369-3300 or filling out the online form. We serve the Brooklyn area.