Cigarette smoking, hypertension and erectile dysfunction

Smoking is associated with an increased risk of developing erectile dysfunction (ED). For example, in the Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS), cigarette smoking amplified the risk of ED associated with other risk factors (e.g. hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia) or with ageing. At the molecular level, several changes associated with smoking have been documented in man and experimental models. These changes could contribute to the pathogenesis of ED. Furthermore, studies performed in dogs demonstrated a smoking-related reduction in arterial flow and venous restriction. Similarly, impaired penile flow has been documented in men who smoke. Cigarette smoking also interferes with the effectiveness of intracavernous papaverine and PGE(1). Quitting is the 'first-line' therapy of ED and one of the most important measures for the prevention of atherosclerosis.