Vaping And Erectile Dysfunction: Is There A Connection?

Written by the UPGUYS Editorial Team

Published on March 16, 2022

Did you know that approximately 30 million male-bodied people in the U.S. suffer from erectile dysfunction? In Canada, too, almost half of the men have had erectile dysfunction at some point in their life and used Canada Viagra pills. Interestingly, the number one cause of this is smoking cigarettes— but what about vaping?

Some recent studies have shown that vaping, especially if done consistently over long periods of time, does, in fact, increase the risk of developing erectile dysfunction. 

Chances are, the link between these two is something that's piqued your interest, especially if you engage in smoking and/or vaping yourself. If that's the case, we encourage you to continue reading.

Table of Contents

1. Nicotine's Long History with Erectile Dysfunction
2. Can Vaping Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
3. Does Age Play Any Role in the Case of Vaping and Erectile Dysfunction?
4. Can Nicotine ED Be Reversed?
5. Treating ED Caused by Vaping
6. Key Takeaways

Nicotine's Long History with Erectile Dysfunction

Over the past few decades, many studies have been conducted in order to discover if there was any connection between smoking tobacco and developing erectile dysfunction disorder (ED). The base conclusion was that, yes, smoking tobacco could cause erectile dysfunction— and in fact, it's one of the highest causes of erectile dysfunction in men under 40.

Why is this the case? The primary reason is that nicotine severely constricts the blood vessels. Nicotine is the main drug found in tobacco. It's what gives off the euphoric and uplifting feeling after consuming a considerable amount.

When nicotine is taken in moderate to high amounts over a long time (think about a few months to half a lifetime), the blood vessels have trouble increasing blood flow. 

In order for the penis to become erect, blood pressure must rise all the way to the tip of the organ. This probably goes without saying (though surprisingly, some people really don't know), but there is actually no bone in the penis. Ironic, considering the common use of "boner" when referring to an erect penis.

Can Vaping Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Some people regard vaping to be safer than smoking traditional cigarettes, cigars, or even using tobacco chews. While this is true to some extent, that doesn't eliminate the risks of intaking nicotine. In case you haven't figured it out yet, yes, e-cigarettes still have nicotine in them.

To be fair, vaping is recommended transition for some people to get off of the heavy cigarette and cigar usage. It's always recommended to talk about this transition with a trusted doctor or physician, as the case is different for everyone.

But even with that being said, vaping can still cause erectile dysfunction. The severity of an individual's ED increases with the amount of nicotine consumed over time.

It's a common sight to see people engage in vaping more often than smoking due to the belief that it's a little safer. However, this often backfires on people, which causes an even increased amount of nicotine intake. 

To add to that, a study conducted by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) almost doubles the chances of developing erectile dysfunction. This number increases to three, nearly four times the amount in people who already have compromised hearts.

Does Age Play Any Role in the Case of Vaping and Erectile Dysfunction?

An interesting finding was that age isn't the best indicator of developing ED, even in the case of vaping nicotine. Developing the disorder is independent of age, race, nationality, sexuality, and gender expression. However, there are some things to consider here.

A new wave of young vapers is on the rise thanks (or not) to the popularity of vaping devices, especially disposables, among teens and young adults. 

To add to that, mental health issues are on the rise and are something that isn't always addressed in younger people, especially in marginalized groups. Teens and young adults who don't have a place to vent their frustrations, anxiety, and concerns lean towards drugs and alcohol, including nicotine.

This leads to an early addiction to nicotine, and as we mentioned earlier, the longer nicotine is consistently fueled to the body, the higher the chances of developing erectile dysfunction.

Can Nicotine ED Be Reversed?

Fortunately, a good handful of ED cases can be either cured or reversed. In lighter cases, such as those found in rather-healthy adults (age 20-40) with no other health issues, ED is a very manageable condition. It takes some work, and there are some techniques to help combat it, which we'll discuss later.

In patients who have other health problems and/or generally live unhealthy lifestyles (little exercise, heavy amounts of drugs and alcohol, no sleep, poor diet), the chances of curing ED are slim. Some might even say that ED can be lifelong for some patients. 

Treating ED Caused by Vaping

The best way to reverse ED is to stop vaping, smoking, or consuming nicotine products. Consult with a doctor or physician if you need help.

Other ways to help combat ED symptoms and effects include:

1. Getting plenty of exercises, especially cardio
2. Transitioning to a healthier diet
3. Getting the right amount of sleep
4. Reducing alcohol intake
5. Lowering levels of stress

We know that quitting can be a really challenging task, which many people struggle with. A doctor is recommended to help, but in severe cases of nicotine addiction, a therapist might also be an ideal choice.

Key Takeaways

Nicotine is the primary addictive substance found in vaping devices such as e-cigarettes. Nicotine has long been known as a cause, if not the primary reason, of developing erectile dysfunction in those born with male genitalia. The severity of an individual's erectile dysfunction increases with the duration of them using nicotine in their lifetime.