Smoking and Erectile Dysfunction

One of the best things you can do for your erections is to not smoke. Smoking is implicated not only in cardiovascular disease; it is also linked to fibrosis of the penile erectile tissue, meaning that the normal, healthy tissue is replaced with collagen or scar tissue. The end result of this process can actually be a shorter penis.

Of course, we also know that smoking is linked to lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and emphysema, all life-threatening conditions.

There are ingredients in cigarette smoke that lead to constriction in the blood vessels. This impedes the free flow of blood, leading to heart disease, high blood pressure, and strokes. Smoking can also cause vasoconstriction of the penile arteries. When you stop smoking, blood flow will increase and erections will likely improve. So while smoking itself may not be a direct cause of ED, it is certainly one of the major villains, since it contributes heavily too many of the medical conditions that are linked to ED.

Recent studies show that if you have been smoking for many years and give it up, there will be immediate health benefits. You will be able to breathe more freely, your blood pressure will go down, and your blood vessels will not be as clogged. While you may not be able to undo all the damage that has been done to your body, there should be a significant improvement in many areas, including sexual function.