Health

20 Cigarettes Daily Means 39 % Increased Risk of Impotence!

It's the nicotine

By Stefan Anitei, Science Editor

23rd of January 2008, 19:06 GMT

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The cancer or heart attack may not convince men to quit smoking, but this one hurts: a recent research published in the 'Tobacco Control' journal reveals that men smoking one pack a day are 39 % more

vulnerable to impotence than non-smokers.

"Smoking delivers nicotine and other vasoconstrictors that close down the penile blood vessels", said Dr Jack Mydlo, chairman of urology at Temple University School of Medicine and Hospital in Philadelphia.

A recent Australian research was made on 8 000 subjects aged 16 to 59. Those who smoked less than a pack daily presented a risk "just" 24 % higher. The risk grew gradually with the number of smoked cigarettes, reaching the value of 39 % for 20 cigarettes daily.

Another study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology discovered that male smokers in their 40s were more likely to be impotent than their older non-smoking counterparts. The risk was by almost 100 % increased compared to non-smokers in their 50s.

"Smoking, because it causes blood vessel constriction, is a very big cause of erectile dysfunction," said Dr Larry Lipshultz, chief of male reproductive medicine at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.

"Smoking isn't the only cause of impotence problems - other lifestyle habits can have a big impact on men's sexual health. Obesity, heavy alcohol consumption and recreational drug use can all cause erectile dysfunction. And a sedentary lifestyle can also contribute to erectile problems. Other causes include diabetes; heart disease; cancer surgery of the prostate, bladder, colon or rectum; high blood pressure medications or antidepressants; a spinal injury; and a hormone imbalance, usually low testosterone," added Lipshultz.

Impotence appears due to mainly three actions of these various factors: decreased blood flow, nerve damage, or hormonal impairment. Drugs for impotence can be tricky; self care seems to work better.

"Make sure you're not obese, eat well, exercise, and if you have diabetes or hypertension, make sure they're well-controlled. By addressing lifestyle factors, you may not need medication to treat erectile dysfunction," explained Lipshultz.

"Stop smoking, drink in moderation, lose weight, and maintain good blood pressure. Don't use ED medications - Viagra, Cialis - if you don't need them. Erections that last longer than four hours - priapism - can cause permanent scar tissue and permanent impotence. It's not a good idea to use these drugs casually," advised Mydlo.

TAGS:

tobacco | impotence | smoking | blood

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