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For most men under a certain age, erectile dysfunction is simply something they don’t really think about.
If ignorance is bliss, then youth is a close second. ED problems from smoking can seem like a faraway ailment right up until the moment it happens to you; suddenly all those commercials in between football games start to grab more of your attention. A quick Google search reveals millions of results touting remedies for ED that stretch from natural to pharmaceutical to simply changing some of your daily habits.
While growing up most of us take our sexual performance for granted, and it isn’t until it becomes threatened that we begin to take some of the worse routines we might have picked up over the years more seriously. One of those in particular stands above the rest as a prime contributor to ED: smoking.
Of course, the good news is that it’s extremely possible to reverse the effects smoking has on sex with one simple change. You likely already know what it is:
Quitting smoking.
Easier said than done. But with the right guidance, motivation, and understanding of it’s impact on your health–it’s possible.
Why Smoking is Bad for Sex
Though there may not be an obvious link between the two at first, in addition to the respiratory and cardiovascular health risks associated with smoking, it can also affect you sexually. The reason why is rather straightforward and has to do with the consequences nicotine has on our blood flow.
As you may remember from biology class, male erections rely on blood to fill up the tissue and capillaries that run throughout the penis. When arousal is triggered, signals are sent to relax and fill the corpora cavernosa, and trap the corresponding blood used—until climax.
Over and over again though, nicotine has been proven to restrict blood flow. In addition to constricting the size of veins and arteries, it’s believed that it can also directly injure the lining of the blood vessels within the penis itself. Since nitric acid is what is responsible for the penis relaxing and trapping blood, a reduction in nitric oxide in the bloodstream—courtesy of nicotine—may be what is to blame for erectile dysfunction resulting from smoking.
The Sexual Benefits of Quitting Smoking
Enough of the bad news; let’s say you’ve made the healthy choice to quit smoking—how soon can you reverse the ED caused by it? Fortunately, the positive benefits can be seen in as little as two weeks after quitting smoking.
Of course, this is all dosage-specific. The longer and more often you ingest nicotine, likely the longer it will take for the effects to reverse. Still, one of the most effective and natural methods for heavy smokers to fight ED is to quit smoking. It also lowers your blood pressure. Even better, it doesn’t require anything other than a quick trip to your doctor and a trash can for your leftover cigarettes.
Another benefit that comes with quitting for many men is that the habit can be replaced by one that is far healthier—and can offer even more positive improvement in the bedroom. Things like regular exercise, improving your dietary practices—including adding in fruits, vegetables, and protein—and monitoring your stress levels so as to avoid old triggers, can all separately be relied upon to fight ED and help your overall mental and physical wellbeing.
Finally, you may discover that some other sexual dysfunctions may improve as a result of your decision to avoid smoking. Quitting smoking has also been shown to enhance each of the following:
- Quicken arousal
- Increase libido
- Firm up and quicken erections
- Heighten sexual performance and satisfaction with your partner
Nicotine Can Affect Impotence
One thing to keep in mind on your quitting journey is that replacement of or a change in the way you consume nicotine isn’t a viable option.
Vape pens, cigars, and nicotine patches still introduce the chemical into your body, regardless of whether some might be considered “safer” alternatives to smoking. Remember that the function behind smoking-related ED is the nicotine itself.
As long as this continues to find its way into your system, you will likely continue to struggle with your ED.
This may naturally lead to the question of how exactly to quit your dependence on nicotine. While there are a myriad of ways to go about this, some are more effective than others. Men who see the most success typically employ methods that have most, or all, of the following key components:
- A compelling “Why”
- A gradual reduction plan
- A strong support system
- An ability to find new ways to relax
- The removal of social pressure
- A new fitness routine
- A positive attitude and not being too hard on themselves
Consult Erectile Dysfunction Experts in Orlando
The men’s health experts at Premier Men’s Medical Center are available to help reformed smokers reclaim their sex lives. Our patients who regularly face issues such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and low libido or testosterone can overcome them through our safe and effective treatments.
Your sexual appetite and performance can be improved through practices such as acoustic wave therapy, customized weight loss plans, or HGH treatment. Contact us to learn more and get started today.
