Erectile Dysfunction and Smoking
By Kristy Annely

Erectile dysfunction or the inability to initiate or maintain an erection is the leading sexual dysfunction in men in the United States. Each year, despite the fact that more than thirty million men are diagnosed with the disorder, the majority of erectile dysfunctions go unreported. Until recently, erectile dysfunction was recognized as a metabolic issue and not a lifestyle related disorder. However, studies have brought to light that those lifestyle choices like substance abuse and smoking are responsible for over 25% of all erectile dysfunction cases.

Every erection problem is believed to be related to blood flow since erections occur when blood rushes in to the penis. Anything that interferes with this process is the likely cause of the dysfunction. Apart from the obvious damage to the respiratory system, smoking does considerable damage to the body's circulation. The carbon monoxide fumes from cigarettes bind with the hemoglobin in the blood and reduce its oxygen carrying capacity. The carbon particles also lead to the deformation of the heart valves and reduce the count of the red blood cells (RBCs). All these factors combine to complicate cardiovascular problems that cause the arteries to harden (arterioscelerosis) and reduce blood supply to peripheral regions, especially the genitals. Thus smoking is directly responsible not only for erectile dysfunctions, but also for low sperm counts, increased sperm mortality and loss of libido.

When erectile dysfunctions are smoking related, they cannot be completely cured with medications like Viagra. The situation is further worsened when the smoker has conditions like diabetes and heart troubles. The only remedy, although it might seem like the end of the world to most men, is to quit smoking. There are many programs available over the Internet and through de-addiction centers that the smokers can make use of. What is most important is that quitting smoking means more than just freedom from sexual dysfunction, it also means your general health will improve,