How Smoking Causes and Affects Male Impotence Article

How Smoking Causes and Affects Male Impotence

Although there are numerous causes to impotence (the medical term is actually erectile dysfunction) - either physical or psychological - smoking is also pointed as a major culprit in increasing the risk of the sexual disorder. In the UK alone, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and the British Medical Association (BMA) estimate that 120, 000 men in their 30’s and 40’s develop impotence due to smoking. When other factors are considered the value drops down to 50% - still a significantly large percentage.

Smoking is also not just a risk factor in itself; it worsens the effects of other risk factors. In fact, it has been considered to cause complete impotence in men with hypertension, high cholesterol levels and diabetes. Furthermore, aside from impotence, smoking also causes reduction of the volume of ejaculation, lowering of sperm count, formation of abnormal sperm shape, and impairing sperm mobility.

How exactly does smoking cause impotence? The mechanism of impairment of bodily processes leading to sexual stimulation and erection are discussed below:

• In order for a person to initiate and maintain erection, there must be adequate blood flow towards the penis. Over 20% of impotent smokers are found to have abnormally low blood pressure (PBI). This reduces the flow of blood to the penis. Low BPI is caused by atherosclerosis, the build up of fatty deposits, especially in the penile area. This is thought to be engendered by arterial lesions caused in part by smoking. In a study of smokers with an average age of 35, it has been found out that there is a pronounced connection between cigarette smoking and atherosclerosis in the internal and main arteries supplying the penis. For every “pack year”, smokers increase the risk of atherosclerosis by 2 - 3%
• A further drop in blood flow to the penis may result from acute vasoconstriction (constriction of blood vessels) within the arteries leading to the penis as a direct result of nicotine intake.
• When there is also excessive blood flowing out of the penis, erection is inhibited. In a normal man experiencing sexual stimulation, the veins closes off almost completely to trap the blood. Virtually no blood flows out of the veins in order to maintain erection. A study showed that nicotine in the blood encourages the venous chamber to dilate. This impairs the valve or the veno - occlusive mechanism by which blood is trapped in the penis. As a result, erection is inhibited or is not sustained.