It is no secret that bad habits do not bring health benefits, but only harm. Smoking is mistaken for the least dangerous habit, but it is not.
After all, tobacco smoke adversely affects absolutely all systems and organs of the human body. And, of course, men's health is also compromised. How does smoking affect potency in men? This article will answer this question.
Effects of tobacco smoke on blood vessels
Smoking and potency are incompatible things. This is due to damage to the blood circulation, including the genitals.
Oxygen is the most important component of the vital activity of every cell of the human body. Red blood cells are responsible for delivering oxygen.
Thus, during each inhalation in the lungs, the erythrocytes of the pulmonary circulation are saturated with oxygen molecules.
At the next heartbeat, saturated red blood cells are sent to the systemic circulation and carry oxygen to the body with arterial blood flow.
Once the blood cells (erythrocytes) give up oxygen, they take up carbon dioxide from the cells and return to the heart with venous flow.
Again, red blood cells are redirected to the small (pulmonary) circulation and in the lungs are released from carbon dioxide, which is released during exhalation.
The same process takes place in smoking, but instead of oxygen, erythrocytes carry molecules of tobacco smoke, saturated with harmful substances:
- Carbon monoxide;
- acetaldehyde;
- nicotine;
- hydrazine;
- ammonia;
- benzene;
- acetone;
- Nitrogen oxides;
- formaldehyde;
- acrolein;
- 2-nitropropane;
- Hydrogen cyanide and about 4700 other chemically toxic compounds in various proportions.
Nicotine is a substance that leads to addiction and the development of addiction to smoking.
Toxic substances in tobacco also affect the circulatory system.
Thus, smoking products affect the deposition of cholesterol in blood vessels, provoke blood density, ie the risk of thrombosis increases.
Tobacco smoking strongly constricts blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to small vessels and capillaries throughout the body.
Such processes affect the whole body and are the reason for the development of such diseases and pathologies:
- Brain (smoking causes headaches, irritability, insomnia, brain cancer, strokes);
- Gastrointestinal tract (digestive disorders, impaired appetite, severe intestinal disorders - diarrhea, gastritis, peptic ulcer);
- Vision (impaired visual acuity, amblyopia (tobacco), cataracts);
- Affects hearing acuity - hearing loss;
- Teeth (yellow plaque, tooth loss, gum disease);
- Nail plates with a yellow tinge;
- Skin (dark circles under the eyes, gray skin tone, early wrinkles, skin pigmentation);
- Cardiovascular system (hypertension, ischemia, heart attack, severe damage and thinning of the walls of blood vessels, edema, varicose veins, gangrene);
- The combination of smoking and potency is manifested by such pathological processes as impotence, poor sperm motility. In women, the pathology of pregnancy, fetal development, work.
After reviewing this list, you need to consider whether the cigarette is worth the risk of developing such consequences.
How does smoking affect potency?
Does smoking affect potency? Impotence in smokers is associated with damage to the vessels that supply blood to the penis.
In addition, the process of deterioration of blood vessels is observed even in novice smokers and in passive smoking (frequent presence in smoky rooms).
Also, suppression of the endocrine system affects the state of health of men. During a toxic attack (smoking), the body goes into emergency mode.
The functions of the endocrine glands are redirected to protect the male immune system and other systems. But testosterone production (the secretion produced by the prostate gland) no longer has the energy and strength.
The effect of smoking on potency depends on the duration of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked, but even one cigarette affects erectile activity and reduces it by 20%. Quite often smoking is combined with frequent use of alcoholic beverages, daily stress.
And temporary impotence may be due to nervous work, fatigue, but not smoking. Of course, both stress and alcohol also affect male potency, but smoking is not the last. Quitting smoking can restore a normal erection over time.
Statistical data
How does smoking affect potency? According to statistics, out of 120, 000 middle-aged men (28-52 years old) surveyed, they have temporary or permanent erection problems (impotence). At the same time, only 15% of men (impotent) are aware of the connection - smoking and potency in men.
Decreased testosterone levels suppress sexual desire, "libido" is reduced to almost zero. This problem should lead the man to the idea of finding the cause that damages potency.
And one of the main causes of erectile dysfunction is the influence of smoking. So smoking 1 pack of cigarettes a day leads to male impotence in 60% of cases.
Smoking and impotence are directly related. But in addition to erectile function, reproductive function is impaired, ie smoking impairs sperm quality. According to statistics, in 75% of experienced smokers, sperm are not able to fertilize a female egg.
Treatment of tobacco addiction
The negative effects of smoking on potency in men require measures to be taken to stop smoking and restore erectile function.
To get rid of nicotine addiction, an impressive smoker lacks the willpower, and withdrawal syndrome manifests itself with significant deterioration in health.
Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are:
- Increased appetite;
- Irritability;
- Inability to concentrate (distraction from the thought of a cigarette);
- anxiety;
- Bad mood.
The treatment of this addiction must have an integrated approach that combines the elimination of psychological and physical components.
The psychological factor of nicotine addiction is eliminated through hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, reflexology, medication. In the process of treatment, the desire to smoke decreases.
Reflexology - acupuncture in hotspots can boast of great popularity and good results.
This method can significantly reduce the level of dependence, as well as eliminate the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
Tobacco addiction is considered to be stronger than alcohol or drug addiction. 60% of male smokers need professional help. Only 5% of long-term smokers successfully and completely quit smoking without outside help.
Before choosing a method of treatment, it is necessary to diagnose the health of the smoker and the severity of nicotine addiction. The severity of addiction is determined using some psychological tests, such as the Karl Fagerström questionnaire (Sweden).
The simplified form of the questionnaire consists of three questions:
- How many cigarettes are smoked per day?
- How long does it take for the first cigarette to be smoked?
- Is there a strong desire to smoke or are there symptoms of withdrawal?
These data are quite sufficient to establish the true condition of the man and to choose the method of his treatment.
Most often, smokers try to forget about the smoke break by replacing them with snacks. In this case, you need to monitor the calorie content so as not to gain weight.
It is advisable to follow a diet based on the principle of separate meals - in small portions, but often.
With this diet, you can replace smoke breaks even in time. Mint and lollipops, as well as nicotine patches help well.
Conclusion
After giving up bad habits, including smoking, the body begins to clear nicotine after two hours, 2-3 days tobacco sludge with sputum comes out of the alveoli, the circulatory system already supplies oxygen to the body, not burning tobacco products. The thirst for nicotine subsides within a month.
Along with the restoration of the structure of the walls of blood vessels improves blood circulation to all organs and systems, including the penis, which means that smoking cessation helps to normalize the efficiency and quality of sperm.
That is why it is worth forcing yourself to give up this addiction and improve your quality of life.
According to former smokers, quitting smoking is difficult but possible. If within six months the smoker has not started smoking again, then this time is enough for a complete cleansing of the body and the gradual restoration of all functional abilities.