While there are many different forms of impotence, including an inability to get an erection, an inability to sustain an erection, or an inability to ejaculate during sexual intercourse, there also exist a number of factors that may lead to impotence in men of various ages. While the most common reason for impotence is age—many experts agree that impotence is a natural effect of the aging process—additional physical causes may also include reduced testosterone levels, medicinal side effects, groin injuries, or a hardening of the arteries. Some causes of impotence may also be more emotional and can be related to factors such as stress, anger, depression, or a lack of interest in sex. More recently, however, studies have shown that a common cause of impotence is directly related to smoking.

Smoking causes the blood vessels within one’s body to narrow, decreasing blood flow to various parts of the body, including a man’s penis. This is also the same process that can result in high blood pressure for smokers. As the pharmaceutical market continues to be inundated with various treatments for erectile dysfunction and impotence, and men everywhere are being instructed to buy Viagra, many medical professionals are cautioning smokers that these drugs will not help if one’s nicotine addiction can’t be kicked.

Aside from the problems of smoking-related impotence, cigarettes are also known to cause cancer and heart disease in addition to wreaking havoc on one’s overall health; experts estimate that a single cigarette contains over 4,000 chemicals. While quitting smoking has been shown to improve one’s health and reduce one’s risk of getting cancer, it can also have a beneficial effect on one’s sex life.