Erectile Dysfunction is a medical condition in which men are unable to get an erection or maintain it long enough for enjoyable partnered sex. Erectile Dysfunction or ED affects men of all ages but it’s more common in older men. This medical condition affects men’s general well-being as well as having a swingeing impact on their relationships with their partners. It’s important to know what causes Erectile Dysfunction in men. There are an abundance of factors that can cause ED. Diseases like diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and obesity are some of the factors that can contribute to ED. But an addictive habit which is more responsible to cause ED than any of these factors, is smoking. Smoking and ED have a very strong correlation. This correlation will be addressed in this article. We will also talk about some of the available treatments for ED.
Prevalence of ED in Men Who Smoke
According to a study published in the esteemed Journal of Sexual Medicine, smokers are 111% more likely to develop ED compared to non-smokers. The study found that the prevalence of ED in men who smoke was 33.5%, compared to 15.9% in non-smokers.
How Smoking Causes Erectile Dysfunction
How can smoking cause ED? Well, smoking can cause ED by damaging the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis. Nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, causes the blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow to the penis. Over time, this can lead to a buildup of plaque in the arteries, further restricting blood flow to the penis. Smoking can also damage the smooth muscle tissue in the penis, which is essential for achieving and maintaining an erection. The chemicals in cigarettes can cause oxidative stress, which can damage the tissues and lead to erectile dysfunction.
Smoking can cause erectile dysfunction by affecting several systems in the body, including the cardiovascular system, the nervous system, and the endocrine system.
Effects of Smoking on the Cardiovascular System
Smoking can cause a variety of cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. These conditions can all contribute to erectile dysfunction by reducing blood flow to the penis.
Effects of Smoking on Penile Blood Flow
Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes can constrict the blood vessels that supply blood to the penis. This can reduce the amount of blood that flows into the penis, making it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection.
How Smoking Affects Hormone Levels
Smoking can also have an impact on the levels of hormones in the body. It can reduce the production of testosterone, which is essential for a healthy sex drive and erectile function. It can also increase the levels of estrogen, which can further contribute to erectile dysfunction.
Treatments of ED
There are several Erectile Dysfunction treatment options available for men. These include medication, penile injections, penile implants, and shockwave therapy.
ED medication, such as sildenafil (Viagra), works by increasing blood flow to the penis, making it easier to achieve and maintain an erection. Penile injections, such as alprostadil (Caverject), work by relaxing the smooth muscle tissue in the penis, allowing more blood to flow into the penis. Penile implants are another option for men with severe erectile dysfunction. These devices are surgically implanted into the penis and can be inflated to produce an erection.
Shockwave therapy for ED is a newer treatment that uses low-intensity shockwaves to stimulate the growth of new blood vessels in the penis. This can improve blood flow to the penis and help to reverse the effects of erectile dysfunction.
How These Treatments Can Treat ED Caused by Smoking
ED medication, penile injections, and penile implants can all be effective for treating ED caused by smoking. These treatments work by increasing blood flow to the penis or relaxing the smooth muscle tissue in the penis, which can help to overcome the effects of smoking on the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
Shockwave therapy for ED is a modern treatment option that has shown promising results in treating ED caused by smoking. In a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, researchers found that shockwave therapy improved erectile function in men with ED caused by vascular problems, including smoking. The therapy works by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels in the penis, which can improve blood flow and restore erectile function.
Benefits and Risks of Treatments of ED
ED medication, penile injections, and penile implants are all safe and effective treatments for erectile dysfunction caused by smoking. However, they can have some side effects, including headaches, flushing, and priapism (an erection that lasts for more than four hours). On the other hand, shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment option and it has fewer side effects than medication or injections.
Overall, the benefits of these treatments outweigh the risks for most men with ED caused by smoking. However, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about the best treatment option for your specific case.
Conclusion
It’s clear that smoking is a big factor that contributes to ED. Men who smoke are more likely to suffer from ED than the men who don’t smoke. Smoking can bring a lot of diseases including sexual diseases. Among the various sexual diseases, Erectile Dysfunction is the most common one. It’s safe to say that, Erectile Dysfunction and smoking are heavily interlinked. That’s why it’s important to quit smoking in order to get rid of ED. Plus, seeking medical help is also necessary. It’s nice to see that there are a wide range of treatments available for ED including modern treatment like shockwave therapy. If you are looking to get shockwave therapy, make sure you contact a highly reputable shockwave clinic such as Shockwave Clinics. Shockwave Clinics Ltd, which is a specialized men’s health clinic located in London, also provides treatments like NanoVi, EMTT therapy and Tesla Chair for ED.
