A new study suggests this condition is twice as likely to occur in men who vape compared to men who don’t vape.
The harms of vaping are not yet fully understood. Since the technology came out a few years ago, these devices remain heavily debated, with some claiming they are better than average cigarettes, yet still have their own negative side effects, which remain shrouded in misinformation. Vape pens are a favorite among teen users and have grown more prevalent within recent years.
But now, a new study that suggests that men who vape nicotine are twice as likely to experience erectile dysfunction when compared to men who don’t vape.
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Published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, researchers were looking to get a deeper understanding of vaping and sexual health when applied to men. They analyzed self-reported data from over 13,000 men over the age of 20. Among the findings: Men who used e-cigarettes were found to be 2.2 times more likely to have erectile dysfunction.
Some caveats in the study include that the data was self-reported, with there being the possibility of bias. Another thing to be mindful of is the fact that the survey didn’t ask any questions on whether or not the men were taking medications that increased the risks of erectile dysfunction, like antidepressants.
Nicotine has long been linked with a variety of sexual dysfunctions, including erectile dysfunction and decreased arousal. Researchers believe this link exists due to smoking and the damage it imparts on circulation, which can also increase the odds of heart disease and strokes. When circulation is impacted, it makes it more difficult for erections to occur naturally.
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Vaping has become prevalent due to a variety of reasons. While safer than smoking cigarettes, eliminating some of the traditional toxins, it’s important to know that vaping is not completely safe, and that there are some side effects that we may not know yet. Vaping has been associated with deteriorated lung and heart health. THC vapes have also been linked with EVALI, a rare lung disease that has resulted in long-term lung damage and even death.
As more and more people of all ages ditch traditional cigarettes for their electronic versions, it’s important to keep in mind that replacing one habit with another will likely result in similar if perhaps a little less damaging side effects. Both methods contain nicotine and are addictive and should be used in moderation.
When it comes to nicotine and sexual health, the more studies of this sort are conducted, the more likely we’re all to understand their relationship, one that affects men and women in different ways. No matter how it’s packaged, nicotine affects a variety of aspects in people’s lives, from their health to their sex lives.
