It’s Not Just The Boys… Study Suggests Smoking Affects Women’s Sex Life Too

We’ve long heard the negative effects of smoking on a man’s sex life. Smoking just two cigarettes a day can cause a softer erection in a male smoker, while long-term smoking has been linked to erectile dysfunction, according to research published in Addiction Behaviour. Now studies looking at women’s sexual health and satisfaction point to a link between smoking and genital sensation. So what effect will smoking have on a women’s sexual pleasure? During sexual arousal, the labia, clitoris, and vagina also swell up with blood, similar to a man's penis, enhancing sensation and excitement. If nicotine can restrict blood flow and cause erectile dysfunction in men, studies suggest it may be reasonable to predict that blood flow is restricted in women as well, and may also have a negative effect on sensation. This can lead to dryness and difficulty for women to become sexually aroused. Tempted to stub out that bud yet? While young smokers may not notice negative effects right away, they could be setting themselves up for sexual dissatisfaction in the long-run. Smoking isn’t the only side effect that could be hampering your vaginal health – here are five more signs of life factors that could be affecting your stimulation down south.