Purpose: We examined available evidence concerning the role of smoking in t
he development of erectile dysfunction. This task involved a complete revie
w of the smoking literature as it pertained to erectile dysfunction and sel
ect endothelial diseases.
Materials and Methods: We comprehensively reviewed the literature, includin
g PubMed and recent abstract proceedings from national meetings relevant to
smoking, erectile dysfunction and endothelial diseases. The quality of the
evidence was assessed by methods used to develop clinical practice guideli
nes. Our review involved an objective evaluation of the basic science liter
ature and clinical studies. When necessary, we examined studies of endothel
ial diseases other than erectile dysfunction because of obvious gaps in the
literature.
Results: There are strong parallels and shared risks among smoking, coronar
y artery disease, atherosclerosis and erectile dysfunction. Clinical and ba
sic science studies provide strong indirect evidence that smoking may affec
t penile erection by the impairment of endothelium dependent smooth muscle
relaxation. The association of erectile dysfunction with risk factors such
as coronary artery disease and hypertension appears to be amplified by ciga
rette smoking. Smoking may increase the likelihood of moderate or complete
erectile dysfunction 2-fold. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction in form
er smokers was no different from that in individuals who had never smoked,
implying that smoking cessation may decrease the risk of erectile dysfuncti
on. Case studies and retrospective series have shown an association of smok
ing with erectile dysfunction.
Conclusions: Available evidence on the association of smoking with erectile
dysfunction is not complete insofar as association linking factors are con
cerned. However, the evidence of such an association is likely due to the c
onsistency of the relationship of smoking and endothelial disease, and the
strength of the association of erectile dysfunction with other endothelial
diseases.