Q: 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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