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Men who vape are twice as likely to suffer erectile dysfunction, study finds

Published 16:14 1 Dec 2021 GMT

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Bad news for vape lords

According to a recent survey of over 13,000 blokes, men who vape could be more than twice as likely to suffer erectile dysfunction (ED) as the pros and cons of vaping continue to be a point of discussion. The study - published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine on November 30 - highlighted how researchers found that in more than 13,000 men over the age of 20, daily vapers were approximately 2.2 times more likely to report impotence compared to those who had never vaped, regardless of other any other risk factors.

Similarly, a smaller sample size taken from those with no previous history of any cardiovascular disease - a condition that, like ED, is often linked to prolonged smoking habits - vapers were actually 2.4 times more likely to suffer from ED compared to non-vapers.

Although there was no causal link made between vaping and erectile dysfunction, the research team from New York University's (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University hope the correlation and more detailed findings will serve as a reminder that vaping is not without its drawbacks.

While lead author Dr Omar El Shahawy, reiterated to Insider that, "overall, e-cigarettes are likely less harmful than smoking cigarettes to the degree that they substitute cigarette smoking", he went on to add that those trying to quit smoking should still "try to limit their vaping because it is simply not risk-free." https://twitter.com/NormanJonasMD/status/1461181834155511815?s=20

As per another recent study, it is estimated that one in five young men suffer from erectile dysfunction, with as many as one in four under the age 34 affected. It is estimated that a sizeable amount of young people have turned to vaping since it became popular. Meanwhile, older generations are also taking up the habit due to its apparent health benefits - at least over traditional smoking. Moreover, earlier this year the UK announced it would become the first country to prescribe vapes to those trying to quit smoking. Despite this possible link between vaping and erectile dysfunction, millions are still likely to keep vaping as the government looks to make Britain smoke-free by 2030.