Cigars contain nicotine and many toxic compounds found in other forms of combusted tobacco. Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, is a steroid hormone produced mainly in the testes and is responsible for the development of male secondary sexual characteristics, muscle maintenance, and bone density. There is a common curiosity about how lifestyle choices, such as tobacco use, might influence the delicate balance of hormones in the body. This question requires a close look at the complex biological reactions that occur when the body is exposed to cigar smoke’s chemical cocktail.
The Direct Impact on Testosterone Levels
Some large-scale population studies show that men who smoke tobacco products, including cigars, tend to have higher levels of total testosterone compared to men who have never smoked. This elevation in total circulating testosterone is often seen in moderate to heavy smokers and may initially suggest a hormonal benefit.
However, this elevated total testosterone level can be misleading because it does not accurately reflect the amount of hormone the body can actually use. Testosterone circulates in the blood in two forms: bound to proteins and in a “free” or bioavailable form. Free testosterone is the crucial form for biological activity.
The relationship between tobacco exposure and testosterone becomes more complex when considering the long-term, dose-dependent effects. Studies suggest that while total testosterone may be higher in smokers, the amount of tobacco consumed is often negatively correlated with the level of free testosterone over time. The overall effect on usable hormone is often detrimental as the body attempts to adapt to chronic toxic exposure.
How Tobacco Compounds Interact with Hormone Production
Cigar smoke compounds interfere with the body’s primary mechanism for hormone regulation, known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Nicotine, the main psychoactive agent in tobacco, is a major disruptor, initially causing an acute stress response in the body. This immediate effect involves the stimulation of the adrenal glands, which releases stress hormones, most notably cortisol.
The temporary surge of cortisol can interfere with the signaling cascade of the HPG axis, which normally regulates testosterone production. Chronic exposure to nicotine and the thousands of other chemicals in cigar smoke, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, also leads to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. This continuous cellular damage can impair the function of Leydig cells, which synthesize testosterone.
Chronic tobacco use reduces the number of functional Leydig cells and decreases the activity of key enzymes necessary for steroidogenesis, the process of converting cholesterol into testosterone. Furthermore, the compounds increase Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG), a protein that binds to testosterone, thereby reducing the amount of free, active testosterone available to tissues, even if total levels appear high.
Systemic Health Costs of Cigar Use
Cigar smoke contains many of the same toxic and carcinogenic compounds found in cigarette smoke, including nitrosamines, carbon monoxide, and various heavy metals. These substances inflict damage far beyond the endocrine system.
Even for cigar smokers who do not inhale deeply, the smoke exposes the mouth, throat, and esophagus to high concentrations of carcinogens. This exposure significantly increases the risk for cancers of the oral cavity, larynx, and esophagus.
The cardiovascular system suffers considerable harm, as the chemicals in cigar smoke promote endothelial dysfunction, leading to narrowed and hardened blood vessels. This reduced blood flow affects every organ, including those important for male health, and increases the risk of coronary heart disease and aortic aneurysms. Heavy cigar smoking also increases the risk for lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.