MSc. Dr. Nghiem Trung Hung - Department of Andrology, 108 Central Military Hospital - said that erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve/maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity.
There are many causes of erectile dysfunction, one of which is due to male smoking.
According to Dr. Nghiem Trung Hung, toxins from cigarettes can affect sperm development and function, negatively impact semen parameters, affect men's overall health and can cause erectile dysfunction.
Smoking can double a man's risk of developing ED. Smoking can damage blood vessels in the body. This can make it difficult to get and maintain an erection.
Dr. Nghiem Trung Hung presented a study showing that about 12% of men who have never smoked have ED; about 17% of men who have smoked at some point have had ED. There is evidence that quitting smoking can reduce the frequency of erectile dysfunction and reduce the risk of this condition.
Cigarettes release thousands of chemicals when they burn, about 250 of which are harmful. Nicotine may be the most important chemical involved in ED. It may interfere with the nitric oxide (NO) pathway, which is important for erections. It also causes arteries to constrict, reducing blood flow to the penis.
Nicotine can also cause damage and/or inflammation to the artery walls, again reducing blood flow. A damaged blood vessel can promote fatty deposits, further narrowing the blood vessel and preventing blood from flowing easily to the penis.
"Smokeless tobacco or e-cigarette products also contain nicotine, so while they may have fewer harmful chemicals, the harmful effects of nicotine are the same. Researchers at New York University found that using e-cigarettes doubled the risk of ED in men aged 20 and older.
It is best to avoid all forms of smoking, e-cigarettes, tobacco products and exposure to cigarette smoke to reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction" - Ths.BS Nghiem Trung Hung said.
The time it takes for you to see a change in your ED symptoms can vary. The time it takes depends on the individual, their age, the severity of their erectile dysfunction before quitting smoking, and other serious health problems.
