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 negatively affects absolutely all systems and organs of the human body. And, of course, men's health is also damaged. How does smoking affect potency in men? This article will answer this question.
Influence 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 in 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.
With the next heartbeat, saturated red blood cells are sent into the systemic circulation and carry oxygen through the body through the arterial blood.
After the blood cells (erythrocytes) give up oxygen, they take carbon dioxide from the cells and return to the heart by venous current.
Again, red blood cells are redirected to the small (pulmonary) circulation and are released in the lungs from carbon dioxide excreted by exhalation.
The same process occurs with 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 4700 other chemical toxic compounds in various proportions.
Nicotine is a substance that leads to addiction and the development of smoking addiction.
Toxic substances of tobacco also affect the circulatory system.
Thus, smoking products affect the deposition of cholesterol in blood vessels, cause blood density, and increase the risk of thrombosis.
Tobacco smoking severely narrows 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 headache, irritability, insomnia, brain cancer, stroke);
- Gastrointestinal tract (digestive disorders, impaired appetite, severe intestinal disorders - diarrhea, gastritis, peptic ulcer);
- Vision (impaired visual acuity, amblyopia (tobacco), cataract);
- Affects hearing acuity - hearing loss;
- Teeth (yellow plaque, tooth loss, gum disease);
- Nail plates with a yellow tint;
- Skin (dark circles under the eyes, grayish 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, poor sperm motility. In women, pathology of pregnancy, fetal development, work activity.
After reviewing this list, you should 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 blood vessels that provide blood supply to the penis.
Moreover, the process of deterioration of blood vessels is observed even in novice smokers and in passive smoking (frequent presence in smoky rooms).
Also, the suppression of the endocrine system affects the 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 human immune system and other systems. But testosterone production (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%. Smoking is often combined with frequent use of alcoholic beverages, daily stress.
And temporary impotence can be attributed to nervous work, overwork, but not smoking. Of course, both stress and alcoholic beverages also affect male strength, but smoking is not the last. Smoking cessation can restore a normal erection over time.
Statistical data
How does smoking affect potency? According to statistics, out of 120, 000 middle-aged men surveyed (28-52 years), they have temporary or permanent erection problems (impotence). At the same time, only 15% of men (impotent) understood the connection - smoking and potency in men.
Decreased testosterone levels inhibit sexual desire, "libido" is reduced to almost zero. This problem should lead a person to the idea of discovering a reason that harmed potency.
And one of the main causes of erectile dysfunction is the impact of smoking. Thus, 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 also disturbed, ie smoking worsens the quality of sperm. According to statistics, in 75% of male smokers with experience, sperm are not able to fertilize a woman's eggs.
Tobacco addiction treatment
The negative impact of smoking on potency in men requires taking measures to quit smoking and restore erectile function.
To get rid of nicotine addiction, a smoker with an impressive experience lacks the willpower, and withdrawal syndrome is manifested by a significant deterioration in 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 addiction should have an integrated approach that combines the elimination of mental and physical components.
The psychological factor of nicotine dependence is eliminated with hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, reflexology, and medication. 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 addiction, 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 successfully and completely quit smoking without outside help.
Before choosing a treatment method, it is necessary to diagnose the health condition of the smoker and the severity of nicotine addiction. The severity of addiction is determined by some psychological tests, for example, the Karl Fagerström questionnaire (Sweden).
The simplified form of the questionnaire consists of three questions:
- How many cigarettes do you smoke per day?
- How long does it take to smoke the first cigarette?
- Is there a strong desire to smoke or are there symptoms of quitting?
These data are quite sufficient to find out the true condition of a person and choose the way of his treatment.
Smokers usually try to forget about the smoke break, replacing them with snacks. In that case, you need to monitor the calorie content to avoid gaining extra pounds.
It is recommended to adhere to the diet on the principle of a separate diet - in small portions, but often.
With this way of eating, you can replace smoke breaks even on time. Mint and lollipops help well, as does the nicotine patch.
Conclusion
After giving up bad habits, including smoking, the body begins to cleanse itself of nicotine after two hours, 2-3 days the tobacco sediment comes out of the alveoli with sputum, the circulatory system already delivers oxygen to the body, and does not burn tobacco. The craving for nicotine disappears within a month.
Along with restoring the structure of the walls of blood vessels, the blood circulation of all organs and systems, including the penis, improves, which means that smoking cessation helps to normalize the potency and quality of sperm.
Therefore, it is worth forcing yourself to give up this addiction and improve your lifestyle in a quality way.
According to the comments of former smokers, quitting smoking is difficult, but possible. If the smoker has not started smoking again within six months, then this time is quite enough for complete cleansing of the body and gradual restoration of all functional abilities.