How Your Smoking-Hot Sex Life Could Make You Impotent

If we were to reveal that smoking is bad for your body few heads would turn. Where most smoking-related health complications, including heart disease and cancer develop internally, it's easy to forget that your chances of contracting them rise each time you inhale cigarette smoke. There is another consequence of smoking that should concern any sexually active man, that being the onset of impotence. If disease to the heart or lungs isn't enough to persuade you to quit, this sex life-threatening condition should be.

How smoking causes impotence

Normal sexual function depends upon the synchronization of the nervous system, hormones and blood vessels in the penis. Smoking can affect all these systems and as a result, prevent an otherwise healthy man from achieving an erection when sexually aroused.

Men who smoke have a much higher risk of developing hardened arteries. This results in a reduction in blood supply and the amount of oxygen available throughout the body, including the penis. If sufficient blood flow can not reach the penis and remain there during arousal, then an erection will not happen.

Even being around smokers is something you should avoid. The intake of second-hand smoke may still influence the likelihood of impotence.

Smoking and impotence – the facts laid out

Research on the effects of smoking on the human body has produced shocking findings that must not be ignored. In one international study, researchers discovered:

• Men who smoked more than 20 cigarettes daily had a 60% higher risk of erectile dysfunction, compared to men who never smoked.
• Men who currently - and formerly -- smoked are approximately 30% more likely to suffer from impotence.
• Smoking induced impotence affects over 120,000 men in the UK aged between 30 and 49.

Taking the next step

It is not fully understood whether or not ex-smokers can regain erectile function. Results from studies carried out specifically to evaluate this theory show that impotence may not disappear completely. Evidence does point out that men who quit smoking sooner rather than later have a far higher chance of enjoying a normal sex life again.

One thing to point out if you are thinking of smoking despite these warnings is should you develop impotence as a direct result of smoking, treatment on the NHS will not be made available to you. If the inevitable happens, you can find solace in the form of medicinal aids on prescription. Branded tablets are well-received and suitable for mild to severe impotence problems. Online clinics offer invaluable advice and 24 hour medicinal treatment.