Men's Health
Link Found Between Smoking and Erectile DysfunctionIf heart disease, stroke and certain cancers have not been reason enough for men to quit smoking, consider this: the habit also increases the risk of erectile dysfunction, according to a report in the journal Tobacco Control.
Emerging research shows that men with a pack-a-day habit are almost 40 percent more likely to struggle with erectile dysfunction than men who don't smoke.
Smoking delivers nicotine and other vasoconstrictors that close down the blood vessels of the penis, says Dr. Jack Mydlo of Temple University School of Medicine and Hospital. Erectile dysfunction - also called ED or impotence - is the inability to achieve or sustain an erection on repeated occasions. It is estimated that about two of every 100 American men have erectile dysfunction serious enough to warrant a physician's visit, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders (NIDDK). The risk of erectile dysfunction increases as men age. Blood Vessel Constriction OccursA recent study of more than 8,000 Australian men between the ages of 16 and 59 found that those who smoked less than a pack a day had a 24 percent increased risk of erectile problems. As the number of cigarettes smoked went up, so did the chances of erectile dysfunction. Men who smoked an average of more than 20 cigarettes a day increased their risk of erectile dysfunction by 39 percent. Another study, published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, found that male smokers in their 40s were more likely to experience erectile difficulties than older nonsmoking males. The risk of erectile dysfunction was nearly doubled for smoking men in their 40s compared with nonsmokers in their 50s. "Smoking, because it causes blood vessel constriction, is a very big cause of erectile dysfunction," says Dr. Larry Lipshultz, chief of male reproductive medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. Smoking is not the only cause of impotence problems - other lifestyle habits can have a significant 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, adds Lipshultz. 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, says Lipshultz. All these conditions or lifestyle factors contribute to erectile difficulties in three major ways: by reducing blood flow, causing nerve damage or changing the hormonal environment. Healthy Lifestyle Helps Reduce RiskWhile there are medications that can help treat erectile dysfunction, both Mydlo and Lipshultz advocate a healthy lifestyle for maintaining good sexual health. "Take better care of yourself," advises Lipshultz. "Make sure you're not obese. Eat well, exercise, and if you have diabetes or hypertension, make sure they're well controlled." He adds that by addressing lifestyle factors, you may not need medication to treat erectile dysfunction. Mydlo echoes that advice: "Stop smoking, drink in moderation, lose weight and maintain good blood pressure." Mydlo adds one more word of caution: "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." To learn more about erectile dysfunction or other men's health issues, visit www.uvahealth.com. Always consult your physician for more information. Online Resources(Our organization is not responsible for the content of Internet sites.) American Academy of Family Physicians American Urological Association National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) |
March 2008Link Found Between Smoking and Erectile Dysfunction Blood Vessel Constriction Occurs Healthy Lifestyle Helps Reduce Risk More about EDAccording to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), physical causes of erectile dysfunction (ED) can include alcohol and tobacco use, fatigue, brain or spinal-cord injuries, hypogonadism (which leads to lower testosterone levels), liver or kidney failure, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, radiation therapy to the testicles, stroke or some types of prostate or bladder surgery. Many times, men will avoid sexual situations because of their emotional pain associated with ED, causing their partner to feel rejected or inadequate. It is important to communicate openly with your partner. Some couples consider seeking treatment for ED together, while other men prefer to seek treatment without their partner's knowledge. A lack of communication is the primary barrier for seeking treatment, and can prolong the suffering. The loss of erectile capacity can have a profound effect on a man. The good news is that ED usually can be treated safely and effectively. Feeling embarrassed about being impotent may prevent many men from seeking the medical attention they need, which can delay diagnosis and treatment for more serious underlying conditions. Impotence itself is often related to an underlying problem, such as heart disease, diabetes, liver disease or other medical conditions. Because impotence can be a forewarning symptom of progressive coronary disease, men should tell their physicians about their symptoms of ED. Physicians may ask directly about sexual function, through conversation or a questionnaire during a checkup, to detect more serious health conditions sooner. The following medical problems can also cause erectile dysfunction: diabetes, hypertension or atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). If you cannot keep your blood sugar or your blood pressure under control, you may experience erectile dysfunction. It is important that you take your medicines for these problems as directed by your doctor. Sometimes your hormones get out of balance, causing erectile dysfunction. Your physician will decide if you need blood tests to check your hormones. Some medicines can cause erectile dysfunction. If this is true for you, your physician may take you off that medicine or give you a different one. Drinking too much alcohol, smoking too much and abusing drugs also can cause erectile dysfunction. Problems in your relationship with your sexual partner can also cause erectile dysfunction. Improving your relationship may help your sex life. If you decide to seek therapy, it will probably be most effective if your sex partner is included. Couples can learn new ways to please one another and to show affection. This can reduce anxiety about having erections. Always consult your physician for more information. |