In today’s era where smoking is glamorized, the lesser known consequences- erectile dysfunction in men is often hidden in its shadows. Both being a taboo the unspoken connection between the transformative powers of quitting smoking on erectile dysfunction is often overlooked.
Let us shed light on the impact on the sexual health of smoking, the treatment for the same, and the challenges faced by men of all ages.
How long after quitting smoking does ED Improve?
While smoking is a well-known risk factor for various health issues, it has a significant effect on improving ED symptoms and overall sexual health. How long after quitting smoking does erectile dysfunction improve might vary from one individual to another. This time is influenced by a series of factors such as the intensity of smoking and the presence of other health conditions along with physiological differences.
Upon research, it has been observed that ED can be improved as early as a few weeks to a few months after quitting smoking. The Tobacco Induced Diseases journal published a study that found men who quit smoking experienced notable improvements in ED within 3 to 6 months compared to those who continued smoking.
Brief Overview
The relation between smoking and struggling with ED has been in the talks vaguely, however, a clear understanding of the same is still being missed. Focusing on the same lets us start from scratch, and understand what ED is. What is the connection between smoking and ED? How does the habit affect your sexual health and the treatment for the same?
What Is ED?
Erectile dysfunction(ED) is the inability to either achieve or maintain a firm erection during sexual intercourse. Where it is a common issue for men of all ages, it is prevalent with age. Several factors contribute to achieving an erection such as hormones, blood flow, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. Now these factors can be disrupted by certain causes like:
- Physical Factors- Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, and obesity.
- Psychological factors- Stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues.
- Lifestyle factors- Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and drug use.
Being vocal about experiencing ED is quite essential for determining the underlying causes behind it and finding the most appropriate treatment plans.
Connection between Smoking and Erectile Dysfunction
There’s quite an evident connection between smoking (both cigarettes and other forms of tobacco) and the development and progression of ED. But how?
- Blood Vessel Damage- The blood vessels are damaged upon smoking which reduces the blood flow throughout the body including the penis leading to difficulties in maintaining an erection.
- Atherosclerosis- When you smoke fatty plaques build up in the arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis that restricts blood flow to the penis leading to ED.
- Hormonal Imbalance- Smoking disrupts hormonal levels like testosterone which is crucial in sexual function. Low testosterone levels contribute to ED.
- Nerve Damage- The nerves are also damaged while you smoke including the ones involved in the erectile process disrupting the ability to achieve an erection.
The connection between smoking and ED is primarily due to the harmful effects of smoking on the cardiovascular system and blood vessels which is a major contributor in achieving an erection.
Does smoking and drinking cause erectile dysfunction?
Yes, both the habits of smoking and drinking lead to the development of erectile dysfunction(ED). Smoking damages the blood vessels leading to a reduction in the blood flow while drinking leads to hormonal imbalances and nervous system suppression. Both of these factors are an underlying cause of ED.
How Does Smoking Affect ED?
The mechanism by which smoking causes an effect on the ED. Here’s how smoking impacts on ED:
- Vascular damage that leads causes atherosclerosis, reducing the blood flow and making it difficult to maintain an erection.
- Reduced nitric oxide leads to a struggle in relaxing the blood vessels and increasing the blood flow.
- Hormonal changes affect maintaining libido and erectile function leading to ED.
- Nerve damage is one of the prominent side effects of smoking that causes harm to the nerves involved in the erectile process.
Having stated that your response to smoking and its effect on ED issues might differ from others. In the sense that some men may be more susceptible to the effects of smoking on ED than others.
Will quitting smoking improve erectile dysfunction?
By far we know that smoking not only damages the blood vessels of the penis but also reduces blood flow throughout the body. Hence, quitting smoking improves erectile dysfunction as well as marks the beginning of your damaged blood vessels being repaired. There have been multiple surveys that show a significant (around 25%) improvement in maintaining an erection for men who quit smoking.
Even though the extent of improvement varies, quitting smoking is surely a positive step toward improving the effectiveness of other ED treatments.
Other male sexual problems related to smoking
Apart from ED, smoking brings other complications in men’s sexual health as well. These stand as:
- Reduced Libido.
- Delayed Ejaculation.
- Reduced Fertility.
- Increased Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections(STIs)
- Overall Sexual Satisfaction.
Hence, quitting smoking can not only help you manage ED issues but also a multiple sexual problem alongside. To overcome the stated sexual problems one can adapt to medicines such as Fildena 150.
Treatment OF Erectile Dysfunction
Quitting smoking is merely a lifestyle change that contributes to managing ED issues. Transforming this habit helps in the effective implementation of the various treatments of ED.
The medications involved in treating ED usually belong to a class of drugs known as phosphodiesterase type 5(PDE5).
- Cenforce 200 – active ingredient sildenafil citrate.
This medicine is dedicated to increasing blood flow to the penis and boost energy.
How to quit smoking?
Here’s a guideline that can help you quit smoking:
- Setting a quit date.
- Informing friends, family, and co-workers.
- Anticipating and planning for the upcoming challenges.
- Removing cigarettes and other tobacco products from the vicinity.
- Considering nicotine replacement therapy.
- Resorting to medicines such as Vidalista 10.
Quitting smoking is a gradual process and you need to be patient with yourself. Additionally, quitting smoking and erectile dysfunction improvements go hand in hand.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the link between smoking and erectile dysfunction(ED) is quite evident, and understanding the connection between the both helps you to make an informed decision towards improving your sexual health and overall well-being.
While we continue learning more about the effects of smoking on ED, quitting smoking is one of the effective ways to improve your sexual function.