When it comes to fertility issues, women have always been the subject. Many people fail to consider men’s health. After all, it’s the woman who will carry the child in her womb. Little they know – the success of pregnancy doesn’t just depend on the woman’s health alone. Male’s reproductive health is basically a BIG thing to consider!
Men who smoke face a significantly higher risk of developing reproductive health issues that can affect the quality of their life and reduce their capability of making their wives pregnant. The risk continues to increase the longer men smoke and the more cigarettes they consume.
If you continue smoking now, do not be surprised if you find yourself struggling with the following reproductive health problems for the coming days, months or years:
1. Erectile Dysfunction
Also known as impotence, erectile dysfunction is characterized by the inability of a man to develop and maintain erection. This condition affects an estimated 18 million men in the United States. Many studies have shown that erectile dysfunction is more common among smokers than non-smokers. This condition has a number of causes but the most common are vascular and circulatory problems. Smoking could lead to erectile dysfunction because it contributes to atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), preventing blood supply from reaching the penis. Smoking also increases the risk of vasospasm – a condition wherein the penile arteries are temporarily constricted. Vasospasm has a negative impact to the blood circulation in the male’s reproductive area.
2. Poor Sperm Quality
Tobacco contains numerous chemical compounds that can damage the genetic makeup of sperm cells. These toxic substances include nicotine, benzopyrene, and cadmium. Smoking affects sperm quality by reducing the number of sperms produced, reducing the volume of semen, and damaging the sperm cells. Research shows that the sperm counts of smokers are on average 13-17 percent lower than the non-smokers.
3. Infertility of Children
Smoking doesn’t just affect the reproductive health of the father, but also the reproductive health of his child. One research reveals that children of male smokers are at risk of developing fertility issues.
4. Lower Chance of Conception
Because male smokers usually have poor sperm quality and may experience erectile dysfunction or impotence, their chance of conception is significantly lower than men who don’t smoke. Smoking is blamed for the rising cases of infertility in the United States.
5. Poor Quality Sexual Life
Smoking has a major effect on a man’s sex life. The presence of fertility issues is among the many reasons why you wouldn’t want to smoke. Another thing, tobacco is a haven of toxic compounds that make you more stressed and less attractive. If your partner doesn’t smoke, it would be a BIG turnoff if she smells the stinky odor of cigarette smoke.
Smoking kills. It doesn’t just affect our lungs, but also all other parts of our body, including the brain, heart, stomach, nerves, and the reproductive area. By quitting smoking today, you can improve your reproductive health and take your sex life to the next level!
