Smoking may cause sexual issues

People who smoke may claim that one of the reasons they started is because they thought it would make it look "cool" or "sexy." Recently, researchers have shown that cigarettes may actually have a negative effect on sexual performance. This suggests that smoking could be added to the list of things that can impact sexual health, along with sexually transmitted diseases and other concerns.

The Chicago Tribune reported on this study, which found that men who quit smoking experienced enhanced penis growth in terms of width, and reached their peak arousal level faster than men who still had the habit. Researchers mentioned that many male smokers may not even realize that their cigarettes are effecting their sexual performance until they quit and notice the difference.

"There is a fairly strong body of data that link smoking as a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction," said Lydia Bazzano, M.D., who studied the topic at the Tulane University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, quoted by the Tribune.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 146 million Americans smoke. Smoking carries a variety of potential side effects including lung cancer and heart disease. Now, sexual dysfunction may be added to that list.