It is no secret that bad habits do not bring health benefits, but only harm. Smoking is erroneously considered the least dangerous habit, but it is not.
After all, tobacco smoke negatively affects absolutely every system and organ in the human body. And, of course, men's health is also disturbed. 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 blood circulation, including the genitals.
Oxygen is the most important component of the vital activity of every cell in the human body. Red blood cells are responsible for providing oxygen.
Thus, during each breath in the lungs, the erythrocytes of the pulmonary circulation are saturated with oxygen molecules.
With the next heartbeat, saturated red blood cells are sent into the systemic circulation and carry oxygen throughout the body with arterial blood flow.
After blood cells (erythrocytes) release oxygen, they take carbon dioxide out of the cells and return it to the heart with the venous current.
Again, red blood cells are redirected into the small (pulmonary) circulation and in the lungs are released from carbon dioxide, which is excreted with expiration.
The same process occurs when smoking, but instead of oxygen, erythrocytes carry tobacco smoke molecules saturated with substances harmful to the body:
- Carbon monoxide;
- Acetaldehyde;
- Nicotine;
- Hydrazine;
- Ammonia;
- Benzene;
- Acetone;
- Nitrogen oxides;
- Formaldehyde;
- Acrolein;
- 2-Nitropropane;
- Hydrogen cyanide and about 4, 700 other toxic chemical compounds in various proportions.
Nicotine is a substance that leads to addiction and the development of addiction to smoking.
The toxic substances in tobacco also affect the circulatory system.
Thus, smoking products affect the deposition of cholesterol in blood vessels, cause blood density, i. e. the risk of thrombosis increases.
Smoking severely constricts blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to small vessels and capillaries throughout the body.
Such processes affect the whole body and are the cause of the development of such diseases and pathologies:
- Brain (smoking causes headaches, irritability, insomnia, brain cancer, strokes)
- Gastrointestinal tract (violation of digestive function, impaired appetite, severe intestinal disorder - 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 tint;
- Skin (dark circles under the eyes, gray skin tone, early wrinkles, skin pigmentation);
- Cardiovascular system (hypertension, ischemia, heart attack, severe damage and thinning of blood vessel walls, edema, varicose veins, gangrene);
- The combination of smoking and potency is manifested by pathological processes such as impotence, low sperm motility. In women, the pathology of pregnancy, fetal development, labor activity.
After reviewing this list, you should think about whether smoking is worth the risk of developing such consequences.
How does smoking affect potency?
Does smoking affect potency? Impotence in smokers is precisely associated with damage to the vessels that supply blood to the penis.
In addition, the process of deterioration of the state of blood vessels is observed even in first-time smokers and with passive smoking (frequent presence in smoky rooms).
In addition, oppression of the endocrine system affects the health status of men. During a toxic attack (smoking), the body goes into emergency mode.
The functions of the endocrine glands are redirected to protect the immune system and other human systems. But the production of testosterone (the secret produced by the prostate) already lacks 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%. Often smoking is combined with frequent use of alcoholic beverages, daily stress.
And temporary impotence can be attributed to nervous work, to overwork, but not to smoking. Of course, both stress and alcohol also affect male strength, but smoking is not the last. Quitting smoking can bring back normal erections over time.
Statistic data
How does smoking affect potency? According to statistics, out of 120, 000 middle-aged men (28-52 years) surveyed, they have either temporary or permanent erection problems (impotence). At the same time, only 15% of men (impotent) realized the relationship - smoking and potency in men.
Reduced levels of testosterone inhibit sexual desire, "libido" is reduced to almost zero. This problem should lead a man to the idea of finding out the reason that impaired potency.
And one of the main causes of erectile dysfunction is the influence of smoking. Thus, smoking 1 pack of cigarettes daily leads to male impotence in 60% of cases.
Smoking and impotence are directly related. But also, along with erectile function, reproductive function is also disturbed, i. e. smoking worsens sperm quality. According to statistics, in 75% of male experienced smokers, sperm are not able to fertilize a female egg.
Treatment for tobacco addiction
The negative impact of smoking on potency in men makes it necessary to take steps to stop smoking and restore erectile function.
To get rid of nicotine addiction, a smoker with an impressive experience lacks willpower, and the withdrawal syndrome is manifested by a significant deterioration of health.
Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are:
- Increased appetite;
- Irritability;
- Inability to concentrate (attention is distracted by the thought of a cigarette);
- Anxiety;
- Bad mood.
The treatment of this dependence must have an integrated approach that combines the elimination of psychological and physical components.
The psychological factor of nicotine addiction is eliminated by hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, reflexology, medications. In the process of treatment, the desire to smoke decreases.
Reflexology - acupuncture on active points 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 stronger than alcohol or drug addiction. 60% of male smokers need professional help. Only 5% of long-term smokers quit successfully and completely without outside help.
Before proceeding with the choice of treatment method, it is necessary to diagnose the health status of the smoker and the severity of nicotine addiction. The severity of addiction is determined using some psychological tests, for example Karl Fagerström's (Sweden) questionnaire.
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 withdrawal symptoms?
These data are sufficient to discover the true state of man and to choose the method of his treatment.
Most of the time, smokers try to forget about a smoke break by replacing them with snacks. In this case, you need to monitor the calorie content so as not to gain excess weight.
It is recommended to follow a diet according to the principle of separate nutrition - in small portions, but often.
In this way of eating, you can replace smoking breaks even over time. Mints and lollipops help well, as does a nicotine patch.
Conclusion
Having given up bad habits, including smoking, the body begins to get rid of nicotine after two hours, on day 2-3 the sediment of tobacco with sputum comes out of the alveoli, the circulatory system already supplies the body with oxygen and not combustion of the tobacco products. The craving for nicotine decreases within a month.
Along with restoring the structure of blood vessel walls, blood circulation to all organs and systems, including the penis, improves, which means that quitting smoking helps normalize sperm potency and quality.
Therefore, it is worth forcing yourself to give up this addiction and improve your lifestyle qualitatively.
According to the comments of ex-smokers, quitting is difficult, but possible. If within six months the smoker does not start smoking again, this time is sufficient for the complete cleansing of the body and the gradual restoration of all functional abilities.