Do e-cigarettes put the “e” in erectile dysfunction? Today Popstar is taking a rip to give you the tips (and so much more than just the tip) on how hitting the JUUL might be affecting your tool.
Say No to Nicotine
Have we all forgotten what we learned in D.A.R.E.? I don’t know about you, but Daren the D.A.R.E. lion made a lasting impression on me. I’ve been saying no to nicotine since primary school. Nicotine, a common component used in vape liquids, doesn’t only affect your noggin, but your noodle as well. Nicotine is known to constrict blood vessels, affecting blood flow to parts of the body, including the genitals. Restricted blood flow can impair both arousal and erectile function, making it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection. You know what they say, you can’t get to port without any wind in your sails.
A puff of the vape can also affect the puss. Nicotine induced blood flow restriction can reduce arousal and lubrication, making sex less enjoyable.
Is Vaping Vexing Your Vessels?
Let’s stay on the subject of blood flow for a few, shall we? Prolonged vape use has been linked to endothelial dysfunction, a condition that affects the function of the blood vessel lining. This new ED acronym can not only contribute to cardiovascular disease, it can also impede your abilities to get hard and stay hard. Remember, you can’t stay brick if the blood flow in on the fritz.
Chemicals and Your Cock
When you puff-puff pass, there are other chemicals present, other than nicotine. Vaping exposes you to other chemicals, such as propylene glycol and glycerin, both of which can affect the production of reproductive hormones, including testosterone. Imbalances in testosterone can affect libido (sex drive), arousal, and overall sexual function. While vaping may look cool, there is nothing fly about a lowered sex drive.
Vape Smoked Sadness
We’ve heard of summertime sadness, but what about vape smoke sadness? Vaping may feel dank, as the kids would say, but it can lead to depression. People often forget that sexual function is as much mental as it is physical. There are also mental factors (on top of physical) that can affect your ability to perform in between the sheets. The addictive qualities of the nicotine, found in vaping products, can exacerbate pre-existing stress, anxiety, and depression. Fiending for a hit can lead to depression, and depression can lead to sexual dysfunction. A flow chart that you definitely don’t want to be a part of.
While we hate to sound like a PSA about giving into peer pressure that airs during the commercial break for Teen Mom 7 on MTV, think of this as a public sex announcement! A call to keep your schlong safe from the risks of ripping vapes. Vapes are full of harmful chemicals such as nicotine, propylene glycol and glycerin. All of which are a total no-go for your gonads. If you are an avid vaper and are experiencing sexual dysfunction, your habit could be cock-blocking you in the bedroom. So don’t take a hit, just quit.
Dr. Joshua Gonzalez
Dr. Joshua Gonzalez is a board-certified urologist who is fellowship-trained in Sexual Medicine and specializes in the management of male and female sexual dysfunctions. He completed his medical education at Columbia University and his urological residency at the Mount Sinai Medical Center. Throughout his career, Dr. Gonzalez has focused on advocating for sexual health and providing improved healthcare to the LGBTQ+ community.
