Summary: Vaping is generally regarded as a safer option when compared to cigarette smoking. It is partially true as tobacco smoking has many ill effects on health, including a considerably increased risk of cardiovascular events and various cancers. In addition, cigarette smoking also causes ED. However, a new study indicates that vaping is also associated with considerable ED risk. The prevalence of ED is twice higher in those who vape regularly. ED is caused by nicotine, which reduces arteries dilation and suppresses testosterone levels. They noticed that casual vaping does not appear to increase ED risk. ED risk is only associated with regular vaping. Thus, researchers say that those who never smoked earlier should avoid vaping.
Adverse effects of tobacco/cigarette smoking have been known for decades. For example, tobacco smoking is associated with a higher risk of peripheral vascular disease, heart disease, lung cancer, and erectile dysfunction (ED).
However, more and more adults are switching to vaping in recent years, considering it a much safer option. Although it may be true, however, emerging studies now show that vaping also poses a considerable health risk.
Thus, the new study published recently found that healthy men who vaped daily had a twice greater prevalence of ED when compared to men who did not vape. The study included men aged 20 to 65 years of age. It also means that risk may be much higher in older adults1.
As already stated, this was a study that only included healthy adults and individuals who were never cigarette smokers. Thus, it is clear that ED was explicitly caused due to vaping and was not associated with prior tobacco use or due to other health conditions. Online drug addiction treatment programs can provide essential support for individuals struggling with dependency, offering resources and therapies to address both substance use and related health concerns like vaping-induced issues.
Researchers intentionally excluded individuals diagnosed with diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, as these conditions are independent risk factors for ED. In addition, they wanted to establish the role of vaping; thus, excluding confounding factors was essential.
Researchers say that they think there are two causes for ED associated with vaping. Firstly, nicotine and other chemicals in vapes have a direct adverse impact on arteries, which reduces their ability to dilate on sexual stimulation. Secondly, these chemicals also reduce testosterone levels in the body.
They say that these effects are pretty similar to cigarette smoking. However, cigarette smoking poses even more significant health risks due to the inhalation of thousands of toxic chemicals. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7000 known chemicals, and out of them, 250 are highly toxic, like ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide. According to National Cancer Institute, these chemicals are highly carcinogenic2.
The study also found that, like cigarette smoking, higher exposure to nicotine was associated with a greater prevalence of ED. Thus, ED was more likely to occur in those who vaped daily and not casually.
However, researchers say that there is a piece of good news, too. They found that this vaping-associated ED risk can be considerably reduced with the help of a physical activity.
Further, researchers warn that although vaping is promoted as a tobacco smoking cessation aid, things might differ. Researchers worry that the opposite may become true in many cases, and vaping may kick cigarette smoking habits. It is especially vital considering that more than 2 million middle- and high-school-going adolescents use e-cigarettes3.
Further, researchers noticed certain deficiencies in vaping products. They said that several zero-nicotine vaping fluids might contain nicotine in traces. Additionally, there is an issue with the amount of nicotine these devices deliver. Some vaping devices provide high amounts of nicotine, even higher than regular cigarettes.
There are certain limitations to the present study. For example, researchers are unsure if vaping causes temporary or permanent changes in the body.
When researchers were asked what advice they would like to give regarding vaping. They said that advice is simple “if you have never smoked, then do not start.” Additionally, if you are vaping to stop cigarette smoking, then vape infrequently to get rid of cigarette cravings. However, the long-term goal should be to stop smoking completely.
References
1. El-Shahawy O, Shah T, Obisesan OH, et al. Association of E-Cigarettes With Erectile Dysfunction: The Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2022;62(1):26-38. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2021.08.004
2. Harms of Cigarette Smoking and Health Benefits of Quitting – National Cancer Institute. Published December 21, 2017. Accessed January 25, 2022. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/cessation-fact-sheet
3. CNN MF. More than 2 million US teens use e-cigarettes, a quarter of them daily, CDC and FDA find. CNN. Accessed January 25, 2022. https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/30/health/youth-tobacco-survey-vaping/index.html
