Prevalence and significance of tobacco smoking in impotence.

We investigated the incidence of cigarette smoking in a sample of patients and compared these figures with estimates of smoking among males in the general population. Among 178 impotent patients the number of current smokers (58.4%) and current ex-smokers combined (81%) was significantly higher than would be expected among males in the general population. In each age group, and at all levels of tobacco use, impotent patients smoked more than would be expected from population estimates. Smoking and nonsmoking impotent patients did not differ in terms of their hormonal profile; however, mean penile blood pressure (PBI) was lower among patients who smoked than among those who did not. A significantly higher proportion (20.9%) of impotent patients with a history of smoking showed abnormally low PBI compared with nonsmoking patients (8.8%). This study adds to preliminary evidence that smoking may be a significant risk factor in impotence, and its effects are evident in the small vasculature.