New Studies Warn Men About Smoking-Induced Erectile Dysfunction




smoking man
A number of recently conducted studies have found an unquestionable link between smoking and erectile dysfunction in the male population. Scientists of the Tulane University, the Wake Forest University, and the Northwestern University Medical School warn that smoking, in addition to its numerous heath hazards, can put men in a dramatically increased risk of developing impotence.

Although not a life-threatening disease, erectile dysfunction is a highly unpleasant condition that affects more than 30 million men in the US. The inability to achieve or sustain an erection and therefore perform a sexual intercourse can create severe mental and emotional problems in personal lives of affected men.

A study conducted by researchers of the Tulane University and published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, 2007, shows that men’ risks of developing impotence increase with every new cigarette they smoke. The study looked at almost 8,000 smoking, but otherwise healthy Chinese men aged from 35 to 74. The results revealed that heavy smokers among the subjects suffered from erectile dysfunction more frequently. In fact, almost 23 percent of impotence cases among Asian men can be attributable to their smoking habits, the scientists noted.

In 2007, a team of researchers representing the Baptist Medical Centre of the Wake Forest University reported to the American Society of Hypertension that smoking men with elevated blood pressure suffered from erectile dysfunction 26 times more often than healthy non-smokers and twice as often as hypertensive ex-smokers. Men who have quit smoking but suffer from high blood pressure still develop impotence 11 times more often than those men who have never smoked. Smoking has a prolonged effect of narrowing and hardening of the arteries, thus reducing the blood flow into many organs, Including the penis.

Researchers of Northwestern University Medical School, headed by Professor Kevin T. McVary, reported in the Journal of Urology, 2007, that smoking not only aggravated high blood pressure and atherosclerosis, but also prevented men from having a normal and satisfying sexual live. Long-time smokers usually suffer from arterial damage in almost every organ, including those of the reproductive system, which often manifests in impotence. Smoking inhibits penile erection by interfering with the production of the chemical messenger nitric oxide.

Researchers also suggested that the best approach to prevent erectile dysfunction for every man would be to stay away from tobacco.

Darlene Marlow

Related Posts

Posted on February 16, 2008 
Filed Under Smoking and Health, Tobacco Research

Comments

Leave a Reply