How Can Smoking Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Published: 2021-04-27

Updated: 2025-02-05

5 mins

If you’re a smoker, you’ve read the label on your pack: “Smoking Kills''. We know that smoking is detrimental to health due to the harmful effects of tobacco and nicotine on various organ systems. We’ve heard that it contributes to the development of numerous diseases and chronic conditions – including cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and cancer.

Something that may be less widely recognized is that cigarettes and other smoking devices lead to various adverse physical and mental complications that can result in erectile dysfunction (ED). 

Quitting smoking can be a serious challenge. But by giving up smoking, you can enhance your sexual function, not to mention your overall health.

Connection Between Smoking and Erectile Dysfunction

The Impact of Smoking on Blood Vessels and Circulation

Smoking damages blood vessels and reduces blood flow throughout the body. The substances found in cigarettes and other smoking devices contain harmful chemicals that inflame the cells lining blood vessels. This causes plaque build-up in the arteries, which can lead to many serious cardiovascular conditions. 

Impaired circulation can have a negative impact on erectile function, as the penis needs proper blood flow to achieve an erection.

The Role of Smoking in Nerve Damage

Smoking exacerbates peripheral neuropathy – the numerous conditions that involve any damage to the nerves. Nerve damage affects the transmission of signals necessary for everyday sensory responses. These responses include signaling such as having cold hands, stepping on a sharp object, or even getting an erection.

Smoking as a Risk Factor for Chronic Conditions

Smoking is a risk factor for chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These diseases increase the likelihood of ED in men because they cause endothelial dysfunction – which is damage and blockage to the blood vessels. Endothelial dysfunction tends to affect the penis first. 

Mechanisms Behind Smoking-Induced Erectile Dysfunction

Smoking and Nitric Oxide Production

Nicotine is the main component found in tobacco. It is a vasoconstrictor – a type of chemical that reduces blood flow throughout the body. This can be seriously damaging to sexual performance, as erections are highly dependent on both the signaling from your brain and a reliable level of blood supply to your penis. 

During arousal, the brain sends a chemical signal – nitric oxide – to the nerves of the penis. This will trigger the opening of arteries and increase the flow of blood to the corpus cavernosum – the penile tissue that fills with blood and hardens to form the erection. 

Smoking can reduce blood flow, making it much more difficult to achieve an erection.

Psychological and Lifestyle Factors

Smoking may also have a psychological impact on you. Stress, anxiety, and self-esteem issues may be heightened due to tobacco and nicotine use. 

These mental health issues tend to contribute to ED, as achieving and maintaining an erection comes down to more than just physiological components. 

Additionally, studies have shown that smokers are more likely to have more unhealthy lifestyles. This may include a poor diet or lack of exercise – both of which are factors that impact sexual function. 

Steps to Overcome Smoking-Induced Erectile Dysfunction

Quitting Smoking: A Vital Step

Smoking – just like any other habit – can be difficult to quit. Tobacco and nicotine contribute to countless conditions that can affect your health and quality of life. Quitting smoking can be the first step you take in improving your overall health and sexual function.

Tips for Quitting

• Find a distraction: Chewing gum or adopting another non-harmful habit may be a temporary solution until you no longer feel the urge to smoke. 

• Use toothpicks or cinnamon sticks: Finding a habit that mimics the motion of smoking a cigarette can help you replace your fixation with something that isn’t harmful. Toothpicks or cinnamon sticks resemble cigarettes in shape, and you can hold them between your fingers and bring them to your mouth, just as you would a cigarette or other smoking device. 

• Make sure your environment isn’t tempting you: Get rid of all your cigarettes, and make sure none of your clothes smell like tobacco. Don’t join your friends for smoke breaks, as the smell of tobacco and the social aspect of smoking might entice you back to your habit.

• Do something that makes you laugh: Nicotine increases serotonin levels in the brain, and quitting lowers these levels significantly. Finding a replacement for your serotonin intake is critical in quitting. Watching funny videos, chatting with friends, and looking through nostalgic photos are all effective ways to raise the serotonin levels in your brain. Maintaining high levels of serotonin while you quit smoking can prevent you from relapsing since your “happy” hormones will no longer be dependent on nicotine. 

Adopting a Healthy Lifestyle

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help you to counteract the harmful effects of smoking while improving erectile function. Besides quitting smoking, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, learning to better manage your stress, and getting quality sleep are all effective ways to boost your immune system. 

Seeking Support

Erectile dysfunction doesn’t need to be something you deal with forever. There are many treatment options available, such as medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes. Consult a healthcare professional to determine if prescription medication could be effective for your erectile dysfunction.

Quitting smoking is key in treating your ED. Talk to your doctor to learn more about the effects of smoking on your body, and for ways to help you quit.