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Smoking and Your Sex Life
Can smoking ruin your sex life?
I know how bad smoking is for your health, but I was surprised to
hear recently that it can cause sexual impotence. Is this true or
just the latest ploy in the anti-smoking campaign?
A: (From Andrew Weil, MD: An important petition is currently
before the federal government, which would require Congress to
create mandatory labeling laws for genetically engineered foods.
These folks need your support now. To find out more and sign an
electronic petition, visit Mothers for Natural Law today. Thank
you.)
Yes, as if the all the other damage smoking does to your body
weren't enough, add impotence to the list. What's more, the link
between smoking and impotence isn't really new. A 1994 study
conducted by the New England Research Institute showed that among men with heart disease and hypertension, cigarette smoking was associated with a greater probability of complete impotence.That same year a study by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) found that among 4,462 Vietnam-era vets aged 31 to 49, the prevalence of impotence was 3.7 percent among current smokers compared to 2.2 percent among nonsmokers.
You might also be interested to know that when Pfizer Inc. was
testing Viagra prior to FDA approval, three out of four men with
erectile dysfunction taking part in the studies were cigarette
smokers. Other research indicates that between 39 and 82 percent
of men with vascular impotence -- erectile dysfunction stemming
from reduced blood flow to the penis -- are smokers. This
condition stems from smoke-related damage to the blood vessels
supplying the penis. Smoking can also reduce male fertility.
Chemical compounds in smoke alter levels of the hormones and
enzymes that regulate sperm count as well as the shape and
mobility of sperm. As the ads say, " Still think smoking is
sexy?" In reality, every puff nudges you closer to impotence and
infertility.
This sort of sexual dysfunction isn't limited to men either.
During this summer's Viagra craze it became pretty clear that
vaginal dryness and other sexual problems in women can result
from restricted blood flow to the genitals. That's reason to
believe that smoking might not be very sexy for women either. The
only thing to do is quit. I know it's not easy. Tobacco, in the
form of cigarettes, is the most addictive drug known, and smoking
is a most efficient system for delivering nicotine directly to
the brain. The only thing to do is to keep at it. If you've tried
before and failed, please try again. There is so much help
available: acupuncture, hypnotherapy, support groups, nicotine
patches and gum. Friday was the Great American Smokeout. I hope
you participated, but if not, quit today.
Andrew Weil, M.D.
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