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Can’t live a day without the elusive white-and-orange stick? Maybe you’ve been meaning to stop and have considered vaping in one of those electronic nicotine delivery systems as a “healthier” substitute.
Make no mistake: while vaping is an effective smoking cessation aid, it is important to know that vaping is not risk-free; it’s merely less hazardous than smoking cigarettes.
And unfortunately, sex-related health risks are not an exception to this rule.
According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, men who vape are twice more likely to develop ED, irrespective of other ED-associated factors.
Vaping may be enticing, but don’t be fooled: it comes with adverse long-term health consequences. Aside from reduced erectile function, premature ejaculation and lower libido are also possible sexual health problems that may occur following excessive vaping.
Let’s look closer into the association between e-cigarettes and erectile dysfunction.
Are E-cigarettes Really Safe?
E-cigarette smoking is among the most popular ways to take nicotine, owing to the widely held belief that it is a risk-free activity. This assumption, however, is untrue.
Though e-cigarette smoking is safer than smoking tobacco, it’s not entirely safe.
E-cigarettes contain liquid nicotine, which when heated produces inhalable vapor. While e-cigarettes have significantly less harmful chemicals than tobacco smoke, it still contains traces of the harmful substance—nicotine.
Just like smoking, vaping can cause a plethora of heart and lung issues. A large reason for this is due to the presence of many harmful undisclosed ingredients found in various e-cig flavors, such as lead and cancer-causing agents.
Modified vaping devices may also pose a risk and cause vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI) to users.
4 Sexual Side Effects of Vaping
The main component of both traditional cigarettes and e-cigarettes is nicotine. Over time, frequent smokers develop a dependence on the drug, which leads to a nicotine addiction. Attempts to ignore the craving may result in withdrawal symptoms, making it hard to quit smoking.
Besides its addictive properties, the risks of e-cigarettes are also high. Blood pressure and adrenaline levels spike when high levels of nicotine circulate in the bloodstream. Heart rate also spikes as a result, thereby increasing your risk of a heart attack.
Additionally, as of 2020, e-cigarettes have also been linked to 2,807 cases of EVALI, or lung injury. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 68 deaths are attributed to an e-cigarette or vaping use-associated lung injury (EVALI).
In addition to the general health risks cigarette smokers’ organs go through, constricted blood flow caused by excessive vaping can also lead to a slew of sexual health problems.
While erectile dysfunction is the most prominent sexual risk, it’s not the only condition vapers have to worry about.
The most notable side effects of vaping include the following.
1. Erectile Dysfunction
Vaping can cause restricted blood flow in the body, affecting the ability to sustain an erection.
Erections require a healthy stream of blood to the penis. However, various clot-forming chemicals found in vapes can cause inefficiencies in the blood flow. This, in turn, results in erectile dysfunction.
2. Testosterone Levels
Testosterone levels may also sharply dip when men vape excessively. This is because of the nicotine present in vaping, which studies have shown inhibits testosterone growth.
Despite this association, the primary reason for this link is currently unknown. One theory is that it accelerates vascular damage in the body, making it harder for blood vessels to dilate.
3. Delayed Sexual Arousal
Vaping and cigarette smoking increase the reaction time of the central nervous system, thereby delaying your sexual arousal.
A study on the effects of vaping on sexual arousal determined that men who took nicotine faced a 23% reduction in sexual desire.
4. Psychological Problems
Having vaping-induced sexual dysfunction can cause great sexual distress, which can further exacerbate problems in your manhood.
Many ED patients experience shame and embarrassment due to their inability to sexually satisfy their partners.
While it may be distressing, erectile dysfunction is treatable. That said, the first step towards treating ED is to open up to an ED doctor about it.
4 Ways to Treat Erectile Dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction is a debilitating sexual disorder. However, it’s not something you’re stuck with for the rest of your life.
Some viable treatment options for ED are:
1. Quitting Vaping
For men who smoke or vape regularly, one of the best ways to resolve ED is to quit smoking altogether.
E-cigarette use may relieve your stress in the short term, but it also increases the risk of developing serious lung disease and ED later on. Avoid triggers and find a support group to help you get your mind off the drug.
If you fail or relapse, be patient with your shortcomings and seek professional medical help.
2. Healthy Living
One particular treatment that can help remedy ED is moderate exercise. Being active can curb nicotine cravings and consequently reduce the risk of erectile dysfunction.
Additionally, pairing a healthy diet with an active lifestyle is a match made in heaven.
3. ED Medications
Many ED medications are present on the market. However, only a few are FDA-Approved. These include:
- Viagra (Sildenafil)
- Levitra or Staxyn (Vardenafil)
- Cialis (Tadalafil)
- Stendra (Avanafil)
That said, these drugs may contain severe side effects. It is strongly recommended to consult a men’s health doctor before taking any new medications.
4. Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy, or acoustic wave therapy, is a safe and effective treatment with little to no side effects.
It’s a minimally invasive treatment option that uses a wand-like device to detect and break plaque that forms in the blood vessels near the erectile tissue, causing dilation of your blood vessels.
Contact Cleveland’s Leading ED Clinic for a Medical Consultation
While vaping can be tempting, it should not be turned to as a viable alternative to smoking. As nicotine is highly addictive, many people are prone to fall into this ravage cycle.
For one, smoking and vaping can adversely affect your physical health. At its worse, it can cause a dampening in your sex life too.
If you are a non-smoker, it’s best to stay away from these products and apply positive lifestyle changes to your day-to-day to keep your erections safe.
But if you already have erectile dysfunction, consult the ED specialists at men’s clinic Precise Men’s Medical Center in Cleveland for quality treatment of ED and other male health issues. Our concierge approach positions your unique case at the centerpoint of our focus. We don’t just give you a pill for ED and send you on your way. We treat the underlying issues that led to conditions such as Erectile Dysfunction, PE, Low Testosterone, and more. Contact our office today to schedule an appointment.
