Reviewed by Bruce Hamby, PA-C of Forum Health West Bloomfield
There are many factors such as physical and psychological factors in their wide rages that can cause erectile dysfunction in men. One of the causes is known to be smoking because smoking has the capability to destroy blood vessels and arteries not to open well enough to allow free flow of blood. The World Health Organization always warn that smokers are liable to die young because of many health risks they exposing themselves to. Among many such diseases include heart disease, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, and pulmonary disease. Recent findings had revealed that, for a rigid, stronger and quicker erection in men, smoking must be stopped.
Signs and Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
There are many signs and causes of erectile dysfunction in men. There is a great need to seek medical help for any of the signs that will later be listed here, most especially if it has been re-occurring.
This will enable your medical doctor to examine the fundamental cause and what are needed to be treated. Recent findings have shown that there is a strong correlation between smoking and erectile dysfunction and males who completely quit smoking can have stronger, more rigid erections when compared to those who do not quit.
Signs of Erectile Dysfunction
Below are the signs and symptoms of erectile dysfunction:
- Dropped interest in sex
- Difficulty in having rigid erection
- Inability to sustain an erection while having sex
Causes of Erectile Dysfunction
As it was mentioned earlier, there are many causes of erectile dysfunction. Listed below are the major causes of ED:
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Cardiovascular disease
- Overweight
- Diabetes
- And much more
How is Erection Possible?
Erection occurs when there is an increase in blood flow to the penis which is always stirred by sexual imaginations or physical touch with the penis. When stirred, the penis becomes relax and make way for increases blood flow via the penile arteries into the two chambers in the penis which is referred to as the corpora cavernosa.
As soon as the chambers become filled up, the penis becomes rigid. When the muscles contract and the accrued blood flow out via the penile veins, then erection become placid.
Consequent upon the above, erectile dysfunction happens when there is an issue at any stage of the process.
However, the chemicals present in cigarette have the capacity to destroy the blood vessels in men’s penis and affect its rigidity. The chemicals not only have adverse effects on the penis but also injure the kidneys, lung, brain, heart and many tissues in the entire body.
Smoking and ED in Research
Studies have shown that men who smoke cause more harm to their sperm than those who do not smoke. Smokers’ testes and accessory glands were observed to have inflammation which results in damaged sperm. This smoking habit negatively affects the health movement in the sperm that leads to increased DNA fragmentation in the sperm.
Erectile dysfunction is known to develop at any adult stage. But it tends to be common as men advance in age. Researchers have discovered that the fundamental problem of erectile dysfunction in younger men is most likely caused by inhalation from a cigarette.
People who smoke are at much higher risk of having erectile dysfunction compared to non-smokers. The level of damages done to your erectile function, your age and damage to other parts of the body can affect the level of erectile function reversibility when you quit smoking.
Impacts of Smoking on the Sexual Health
Active smoking and in some instances passive smoking can cause erectile dysfunction. Smoking has the capacity to destroy healthy muscles in the penis which in-turn affect erectile functioning. This also can lead to a lesser libido.
Cigarette smoking has an adverse effect on the sex life of both men and women and brings about infertility.
Coping and Managing Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction has a demonstrative impact on the affected man and his partner. Men with this condition usually feel frustrated, sad, little or no confidence and furious let alone a partner who is being denied sexual pleasure. The good news is that erectile dysfunction or impotence can be treated.
Some of the steps in alleviating this issue include being honest, opening up to both your partner and the doctor. Communication is an essential tool in the analysis and management of the state of your health. There is a great need to always let your partner know how you are feeling for adequate support and assistance.
Also, note that you will require patience with self in your treatment and recovery process, having it in mind that individual response to treatment is relative.
Helpful Hints on How to Quit Smoking
The best decisive actions are always meant to be taken now. If you have been contemplating to stop smoking cigarettes, now is the best time to quit such a harmful habit. Researchers have confirmed it that smokers are at a higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction compared to nonsmokers.
There are a lot of immediate and long-term benefits of stopping such a harmful habit (smoking), one of such is improved blood circulation within your body systems.
Tips that will enhance your decision to stop smoking are:
- Decisively select a date to quit smoking
- Dispose of all materials and items associated with a cigarette from your environment.
- Talk to your medical doctor for medications that can assist you to stop the smoking habit.
- Avoid places, event, and people associated with smoking.
- Exercise regularly
- Go to places that forbid smoking
- Keep in your memory the health benefits of stopping that harmful habit of smoking.
- Avoid being idle by engaging yourself in doing something productive.
- Confide in your family, friends, and co-workers telling them of your decision to stop smoking and solicit for their support.
Believe me, the urge to indulge in that harmful habit will want to come back, take courage to deal with such and say NO to the urge again and again.
Immediate Benefits of stopping to smoking are:
- Normal blood pressure will be restored
- Improved level of oxygen in your blood
- Restoration of sense of smell
- Improved blood circulation in the body
- Nicotine level in the blood will begin to diminish
Transient Challenges of Quitting Smoking
There are some transient effects you feel in your body when you decide to stop smoking. Your body will definitely react to this sudden change because of denying him all the harmful substances that constitute cigarette. These effects include:
- Low blood sugar
- Sleeplessness
- Annoyance
- Headache
- Additional weight
- Cough
- Tiredness
Conclusions
It has been established that smoking has an adverse effect on penile erection. Quitting this dangerous habit is a sure way for smokers to overcome the challenges of erectile dysfunction. A healthy lifestyle is a guaranteed way to prevent erectile dysfunction, in some cases it can normalize the condition. Always do regular exercise, consume a balanced diet, maintain normal weight, zero cigarettes, zero alcohol, minimize your stress and avoid high blood pressure.
