An estimated 8 million people die from smoking every year, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Most of these smokers are men. One of the health conditions that you can develop from cigarette smoking is erectile dysfunction. This article offers an in-depth explanation of how smoking can cause erectile dysfunction. 

An Overview of Cigarette Smoking 

Smoking is a recreational activity in which men inhale the burning fumes of a plant material called tobacco. Unfortunately, smoking is toxic as it contains 7,000 chemicals, of which at least 250 pose health risks, while 69 are proven to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). Even though it is unhealthy, it is culturally recognised worldwide as a social activity. Many people who smoke usually start due to the recommendation of a colleague, and peer pressure is a leading cause of smoking among younger males. 

However, the continued use of tobacco runs deeper than simply meeting social expectations. Cigarettes contain nicotine, an addictive chemical responsible for the surge of feel-good hormones that make smoking pleasurable and relaxing. Frequent smoking leads to nicotine tolerance, which is why men often start using more cigarettes and eventually end up with nicotine dependence. 

Quitting smoking can also feel like torture because men may experience withdrawal symptoms such as painful cravings, headaches, dizziness, restlessness, insomnia, weight gain, fatigue, irritability, brain fog, depression, and anxiety. Withdrawal symptoms usually last for two weeks but become worse the longer a man does not smoke, increasing the possibility of relapsing. 

The Connection Between Smoking and Erectile Dysfunction 

Smoking affects almost every biological system you have, including your reproductive health. Men often develop erectile dysfunction and other sexual health issues due to smoking. This is mainly because smoking damages your cardiovascular system, and good blood flow is critical for maintaining erections. However, other health risk factors contribute to smoking-induced erectile dysfunction. This section will detail the link between smoking and erectile dysfunction. 

Smoking and Blood Circulation 

Nicotine reaches the brain by travelling through your airways and being carried by your blood. Smoking begins damaging both your respiratory and cardiovascular systems even before you inhale the smoke, as all the other toxic chemicals travel with the nicotine. Carbon monoxide fills up your red blood cells, depleting your oxygen supply. It also thickens proteins, leading to sticky blood and a higher risk of blood clotting in your vessels. 

Here are the other ways that smoking is detrimental to your cardiovascular health: 

• Increased triglycerides – also called lipids, triglycerides are a type of fat that is converted from calories. When you eat, your body stores energy in your fat cells for later use. However, elevated levels of triglycerides from smoking can trigger inflammation and cause atherosclerosis. 
• Lowered HDL cholesterol – HDL cholesterol is also called the “good cholesterol.” It helps carry LDL cholesterol away from your bloodstream to your liver, where it is broken down. Despite LDL cholesterol’s bad reputation, it serves the purpose of delivering cholesterol to build cell membranes. However, the excess supply caused by smoking can stick to the walls of your blood vessels and form plaque. 
• Endothelial cell damage – your blood vessels are lined with endothelial cells, which act as a barrier that facilitates the exchange of materials between your blood and the surrounding tissues. When smoking damages your endothelial cells, toxic materials can get through to your tissues. 
• Plaque build-up – cholesterol and other materials can cause a blockage in your blood vessels, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. If the plaque forms in the pathway leading to your penile vessels, you will start to experience erectile dysfunction. Even if it forms elsewhere, the resulting high blood pressure can still decrease blood supply and weaken erections. 
• Blood vessel hardening – increased blood pressure eventually toughens your blood vessels. Vasodilation, or the widening of the blood vessels, is critical for starting and maintaining erections. If your blood vessels cannot relax, there will not be enough blood supply to fill your penile vessels. 

As a result, smoking increases your risk of hypertension, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, abdominal aortic aneurysm, heart failure, and heart attack. All these cardiovascular diseases increase your risk of erectile dysfunction and mortality. 

Smoking and Sexual Dysfunctions 

Sexual performance is not the only thing that suffers because of smoking. Your reproductive capacity also declines. Here are the sexual health issues you can develop from smoking cigarettes: 

• Premature Ejaculation – premature ejaculation can develop because of erectile dysfunction. Some men learn to ejaculate as quickly as they can before they lose erection. However, poor ejaculation worsens their mental health, which increases the severity of both erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. Nicotine withdrawal can also cause lowered serotonin levels in the brain, which is critical for ejaculatory control. 
• Low Libido – some studies show that smoking can lead to reduced testosterone levels, while others show the opposite result. This is because it depends on how smoking affects your body. V Various chronic diseases can be caused by smoking, which throttles testosterone production (necessary for sexual arousal). Smokers also report experiencing less sexual desire than non-smokers. 
• Male Infertility – smoking can damage sperm DNA, which affects its morphology (structure), motility (movement), and production. This means that men may experience fertility struggles due to smoking. The increased stress from failing to conceive can worsen the adverse effects of smoking and erectile dysfunction. While erectile dysfunction does not cause infertility, it can make it harder to conceive due to the difficulty of reaching ejaculation. 

Smoking and Other Health Issues 

Smoking causes oxidative stress and chronic inflammation throughout the body. Oxidative stress occurs when you have an abundance of free radicals, which can cause cell mutations. Cigarettes also contain arsenic, nickel, and polonium, which damage your cellular DNA and increase your risk of cancer. The weakening of your immune system also contributes to your susceptibility to developing cancer. Due to cardiovascular damage, your white blood cells struggle to locate and kill malignant tumours. 

Research also shows that smokers with prostate cancer are more likely to die than non-smokers with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer can lead to erectile dysfunction because of the resulting hormonal imbalance and specific cancer treatments (radiation and chemotherapy). Smoking also increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, another chronic disease that can cause erectile dysfunction. Your risk for these conditions reduces the longer you quit smoking. However, pulmonary fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) caused by smoking are permanent. 

Quitting Smoking for Better Erectile Health 

Eliminating cigarettes from your life is easier said than done, but the reduced risk of lethal conditions and the restoration of your sexual capacity make it worth it. However, we know that trying to quit by yourself can be a nightmare because of withdrawal symptoms. We recommend that you speak to a doctor who specialises in helping those with nicotine addiction. They will most likely recommend nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), medication, and counselling to help you gradually quit smoking. 

Conclusion 

Smoking can be debilitating to your sexual capacity and longevity. Avoiding cigarettes is one of the most important lifestyle changes you can make. If you are struggling with erectile dysfunction because of smoking, our experts will gladly work with your doctor to help you quit smoking and rehabilitate your erectile capacity. Book an appointment to reclaim your erectile strength from the vice-like grip of tobacco!