For men, smoking is one of the leading causes of erectile dysfunction.
From decreasing blood flow to damaging fertility, tobacco is seriously detrimental to your love life. If you want to enjoy intimacy to the fullest or eventually start a family, it's time to kick the habit for good.
Sex may permeate our popular culture, but conversations about it are still associated with stigma and shame in Indian homes. As a result, most people facing sexual health issues or trying to find information about sex often turn to unverified online sources or follow unscientific advice from their friends. To address widespread misinformation about sex, News18.com publishes this weekly sex column, titled 'Let's Talk About Sex.' We hope to start conversations about sex through this column and address sexual health issues with scientific insight and nuance.
In this article, we will explore exactly how cigarette smoking can become a curse to your sex life and satisfaction in the bedroom.
You probably know that smoking is bad for your health, but did you know that it can also seriously affect your sex life? Turning on lighting not only affects your lungs and heart, but it can also decrease your performance in the bedroom. From decreasing blood flow to damaging fertility, tobacco is seriously detrimental to your love life. If you want to enjoy intimacy to the fullest or eventually start a family, it's time to kick the habit for good. Once you understand the full impact, you will be able to find all the motivation you need to finally quit smoking.
- Reduced blood flow: When you smoke, nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, which reduces blood flow throughout the body. This includes the blood vessels in the genitals, making it difficult for men to achieve an erection and for women to become aroused. Smoking slows down arousal and inhibits pleasure receptors in the brain.
- Decreased libido: Smoking reduces libido or sexual desire over time. The chemicals in tobacco smoke alter hormone levels, including testosterone, which stimulates libido in both men and women. With a lower libido, you have less interest in sexual activity and intimacy.
- Erectile dysfunction: For men, smoking is one of the leading causes of erectile dysfunction. Nicotine and toxins damage blood vessels and nerves in the penis necessary for an erection. Smoking significantly increases the risk of erectile dysfunction, and quitting smoking can help reverse some of the damage.
- Infertility problems: Smoking reduces fertility in both men and women. In men it damages sperm and in women it accelerates the aging of eggs and ovarian follicles. Smoking makes conception more difficult and also increases the risk of genetic abnormalities and miscarriages. Quitting smoking can help restore fertility over time.
Secondhand smoke also harms your partner's sexual health
Secondhand smoke not only harms the health of smokers, but also harms their partners. Exposure to second-hand smoke is terrible for your sex life and your partner's sexual health.
The toxic chemicals in secondhand smoke damage blood vessels and restrict blood flow throughout the body. This makes it difficult for men to achieve and maintain an erection. In women, these same toxins curb arousal by limiting blood flow to the vaginal area. Secondhand smoke also depletes the body's nitric oxide, a molecule crucial for relaxing and widening blood vessels during arousal.
Furthermore, carcinogens present in second-hand smoke can eventually cause reproductive cancers in both men and women, impairing fertility and sexual function. The impacts are so harmful that the effects of 30 minutes of exposure to secondhand smoke are comparable to those of smoking 4 cigarettes yourself!
The good news is that the body can recover from the damage caused by secondhand smoke exposure once it stops. So do your sex life a favor: avoid secondhand smoke whenever possible. Ask smokers to take them outside and away from you. Your sexual health and that of your partner will thank you.
Quitting smoking improves sexual performance
Quitting smoking has many benefits, but better sex is undoubtedly one of the most motivating.
- Stronger erections: When you stop smoking, you will begin to notice stronger and firmer erections again. Smoking negatively affects blood flow throughout the body, including the penis. Better blood flow means better erections that last longer. Within a few months of quitting, many men find that their erections become noticeably harder and more reliable.
- Greater resistance: Smoking saps your stamina and stamina, making you tire more easily during sex. Quitting smoking will increase your energy levels, allowing you to last longer without needing to stop for a break. You will have the stamina to try new positions and perform several rounds. Both you and your partner will appreciate your new sexual stamina.
- Enhanced Orgasms: With greater blood flow and resistance, more intense orgasms are achieved. Each orgasm can feel stronger, last longer, and be more pleasurable overall. For many men, quitting smoking produces some of the best orgasms they have had in years. Increased libido and sexual desire also makes reaching orgasm easier.
- Fresher breath and smell: Let's face it, smoking makes everything smell horrible, including your breath and body. Quitting smoking will make you smell better overall, which most couples will appreciate during intimate moments. Your breath, hair, and clothes will no longer stink of smoke, and your senses of smell and taste will begin to return. Kissing will be more pleasant for both of you, without the taste of cigarettes.
How long will it take to notice the effects?
You may start to notice improvements in just 1 to 2 weeks after quitting smoking. However, getting full benefits can take 3 months to a year. Restoring lung function and allowing blood vessels to widen again takes time. Don't be discouraged if you don't see dramatic changes right away. The rewards of quitting smoking will continue to pay off over weeks and months. Stay committed to not smoking and you will regain your charm, better than ever.
There you have it. Smoking is very bad news for your sex life. Research clearly shows that it reduces libido, hinders performance, and decreases satisfaction for you and your partner. The chemicals in tobacco damage blood vessels and nerves, affecting key parts of the body that are vital for a healthy sex life. There are no buts about it, ditching cigarettes is one of the best things you can do if you want to have a good time in the bedroom. Your lungs and heart will thank you too. Who knows, you might find yourself with a whole new spark once you kick the habit. So do yourself and your partner a favor and put out that cigarette for good. Your sex life will be much more intense and healthier if you do it.
