We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is the Connection Between Smoking and Erectile Dysfunction?

Anna T.
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,829
Share

The connection between smoking and erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is related to a problem known as atherosclerosis. This condition is often a result of long-term smoking, and it causes plaque buildup inside the arteries. Atherosclerosis can also cause erectile dysfunction, because the plaque buildup restricts the blood flow through the arteries. When blood flow is restricted to the penis, a man typically has difficulty getting an erection. Studies indicate that smoking and erectile dysfunction go hand in hand, particularly for men who have been smoking for many years.

Studies examining the link between smoking and erectile dysfunction indicate that men who smoke have more than double the risk of experiencing erectile dysfunction than men who have never smoked. Additionally, the risk seemed to go up if a man started smoking at a very early age. The studies also showed that men who were former smokers typically had more problems with erectile dysfunction than those who did not smoke, which indicates that quitting smoking may not completely reverse the problem. There were very few men in the study who had never smoked who had any problems with erectile dysfunction.

Another thing that scientists have discovered regarding smoking and erectile dysfunction is that many popular medicines, both prescription and non-prescription, do not seem to correct erectile dysfunction caused by smoking. The medicines typically work well with non-smoking men who experience erectile dysfunction. The reason these medicines tend to be ineffective might be because some of the damage done by smoking is irreversible, whereas other medical problems resulting in erectile dysfunction can occasionally be managed. There may be a greater chance that the medicines will work when a person quits smoking, although he may still have occasional problems with impotence for the rest of his life.

There is still a good chance that a man will have impotence problems that resulted from smoking even after he quits, and the chances of this are usually greater the longer he has smoked. There also seems to be a connection between erectile dysfunction and the age a man is when he starts smoking. Men who start smoking younger are normally more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction than those who start when they are older, although impotence is still a possibility at any age. A man who is concerned about smoking and erectile dysfunction should probably stop smoking as soon as possible to keep his problem from getting any worse.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Anna T.
By Anna T.
Anna Thurman is a skilled writer who lends her talents to WiseGeek. Her ability to research and present information in an engaging and accessible manner allows her to create content that resonates with readers across a wide range of subjects.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Anna T.
Anna T.
Anna Thurman is a skilled writer who lends her talents to WiseGeek. Her ability to research and present information in an engaging and accessible manner allows her to create content that resonates with readers across a wide range of subjects.
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-the-connection-between-smoking-and-erectile-dysfunction.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.