Smoking increases risk of impotence

Recent research shows that smoking increases the risk of impotence. Men who smoke are up to 40 percent more likely to suffer from impotence than those who don't. Researchers from the Imperial College, London, did a survey of 8,000 men aged between 16 and 59 years. Almost 1 in 10 reported an impotence problem lasting more than 1 month during the previous year. About 1 quarter were smokers and more than 6 percent said they smoked over 20 cigarettes a day. Men who smoked a pack or more per day were 39 percent more likely to report sexual problems. The more cigarettes smoked, greater the risk of suffering from a sexual performance problem. But even men who smoked less than 20 cigarettes a day had a 24 percent raised risk of impotence. It is not just older men who suffer from impotence; younger men too are affected. Though cigarettes are marketed as symbol of virility, the reality is that smoking is a primary cause of impotence, which may also be an early indicator of coronary heart disease. Research has shown that smoking is a leading cause of preventable death. It increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, respiratory problems, lung and other types of cancer. If young men want to avoid the embarrassment and distress of impotence they should not smoke. The above findings stress on the need to motivate men to quit smoking.