Erectile Dysfunction and Vaping: Is There a Link?

Just as the message about the dangers of smoking started to get across, vaping came along, convincing people it was a safer alternative. But that’s emphatically untrue.

Vaping delivers toxic chemicals into your body. It’s just as bad as smoking, but wrapped in a different package.

Still, use of electronic cigarettes jumped from 4.5% of adults in the United States in 2019 to 6.5% in 2023. And these millions of vapers not only risk cardiovascular and lung inflammation, but also other health issues, like erectile dysfunction (ED).

As a men’s health specialist, board-certified urologist Dr. Robert J. Cornell has long recognized the link between smoking and erectile dysfunction (ED). Now, that same link exists with vaping. Let’s take a closer look.

How vaping affects your overall health

Just because vaping lacks smoke doesn’t make it safe. Far from it. The vapor you inhale still introduces nicotine into your body, along with other chemicals.

Nicotine substantially raises your risks for a host of health issues, including:

• Respiratory and lung issues
• Cardiovascular disease
• Reproductive problems
• Gastrointestinal upset

As if these weren’t bad enough, nicotine is highly addictive — as addictive as other drugs like heroin and cocaine. 

So, if you combine the addiction risk with its negative effects, it’s little wonder that one study refers to nicotine as “one of the most toxic of all poisons.”

Vaping, nicotine, and your sexual health

Now, let’s bring all of this to your sexual function. Under the best of circumstances, many of your bodily functions work together to create an erection.

It usually starts with arousal, which involves your nerves, senses, hormones, and mental health. From there, your penis should respond to the arousal, and for this to happen, you need excellent blood flow.

Yet, this is where vaping can get in the way. Nicotine constricts your blood vessels, compromising the free flow of blood in your body. 

While we knew smoking had this risk, studies now conclude that vaping can also lead to ED. One study found that men between the ages of 20 and 65, with no history of cardiovascular disease — but who vape — are 2.4 times more likely to report ED than those who don’t vape.

So, if you’re looking to boost your health and ramp up your sex life, ditch the vape pen. Of course, other issues may be involved, so if you struggle with ongoing ED, come see us for an evaluation.

To get started, contact our office in Houston, Texas, today to schedule an appointment.