Sexual health, just like mental health, is an essential but often overlooked part of a person’s overall well-being. Alcohol, widely consumed across most cultures, can influence your sexual desire, arousal, and performance. While some believe that drinking helps you loosen up, the reality is far more complex, particularly with long-term use.
Alcoholism and sexuality are deeply interconnected. Both men and women can experience changes in libido, arousal, and even orgasms when they drink too much. Understanding its physiological and psychological impact is thus critical for recognizing, preventing, and reversing these challenges.
Read below to understand how alcohol affects your sexual response system and how much alcohol is considered safe by doctors.
How does alcohol affect sexual performance?
Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant, which means it slows down brain activity, reflexes, and bodily functions. While it may initially reduce inhibitions and increase sexual desire, the physiological reality often tells a different story for different genders. From minimal impact on arousal to causing Erectile Dysfunction, alcohol can affect sexuality and even lead to serious health issues in both men and women.
How does alcohol affect a man sexually?
For men or AMABs (Assigned Males at Birth), the relation between alcoholism and sexual dysfunction is well-established and well-documented. A 2007 study of 100 men in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry revealed that 72 subjects reported one or more sexual issues; the most common being Premature Ejaculation (37.5%) and Erectile Dysfunction (33.3%).
Episodic, occasional or sudden Erectile Dysfunction is quite common among alcoholic men, especially among those who drink over 3 standard drinks daily and those who smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day.
Alcohol slows down the vascular and nervous systems that control erections and ejaculation, which can lead to:
- Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
- Premature or inhibited ejaculation.
- Decreased libido and confidence.
- Low testosterone production (with heavy or chronic drinking).
- Loss of sperm quality.
How does alcohol affect a woman sexually?
Alcohol influences women differently due to hormonal differences and tissue sensitivity. While a drink or two may initially increase sexual desire, frequent or excessive drinking can lead to:
- Reduced vaginal lubrication or vaginal dryness
- Impaired clitoral and vaginal sensitivity
- Decreased libido
- Difficulty achieving orgasm or Anorgasmia
- Menstrual changes leading to reduced fertility
A 2012 study published in the Journal of Sexual Research tracked daily drinking behavior, sexual activity, and contraceptive use of 69 sexually active women. Unlike men, the results showed no significant effect of alcohol on female sexual arousal, pleasure, orgasm or contraceptives. Still, 61.2% of participants reported a slightly greater desire for sexual activity when drinking compared to being sober.
It is important to note that female sexual dysfunction related to alcohol is often underdiagnosed. The risks become especially important for women who are post-menopausal or long-term alcohol dependent.
Does alcohol impact arousal and orgasm differently?
Yes, alcohol interferes with both, but in different ways.
Alcohol can make it harder to get aroused because it slows blood flow and nerve signals to the sexual organs.
On the other hand, orgasm, especially in females, involves more complex coordination between the brain and sexual organs. It gets delayed or blunted as alcohol dampens the communication between the brain and body.
Factors affecting your ability to metabolize alcohol
Apart from biological and gender-based differences, your ability to absorb or process alcohol depends on several factors, such as:
- Quantity of alcohol consumed
- Time interval between alcoholic drinks
- Body size and overall weight
- Body composition, including proportions of water, fat, and muscle
- Recent food intake and concurrent consumption of other non-alcoholic liquids
- Individual alcohol tolerance
- Use of certain hormones, such as testosterone, with alcohol, or medications that may alter metabolism
Thus, even small to moderate amounts will likely affect you and your partner differently.
Recommended guidelines on safe drinking: US & UK
Doctors globally have researched extensively on the relationship between alcoholism and sexuality. They recommend a weekly alcohol limit; exceeding which raises risks of long-term illnesses, accidents and sexual problems due to hormonal disruption, nerve damage, and poor blood flow.
UK Low Risk Drinking Guidelines (NHS, 2016) advise no more than 14 units of alcohol per week for both men and women, ideally spread over at least 3 days. Additionally, it recommends keeping several drink-free days per week to allow recovery and keep health risks low.
Additionally, Dietary Guidelines for Americans (CDC, 2020-2025) defines moderate drinking as up to 1 drink per day for women and up to 2 drinks per day for men. Exceeding these amounts increases the risk of health problems, including sexual dysfunction.
Conclusion
Alcoholism and sexuality are connected, with the impact of alcohol on sexual health being both physiological and psychological. While occasional drinking may not always lead to problems, long-term or heavy drinking can significantly impair sexual performance and satisfaction for both men and women.
Moreover, drinking large amounts quickly or binge drinking is linked to poor judgment, increased risky sexual behaviors like unprotected sex and potential for sexually transmitted infections.
Taking proactive steps, such as moderating intake, speaking to a healthcare provider, and taking FDA-approved meds, can help restore confidence, intimacy, and overall sexual well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I stop drinking, will my ED go away?
Yes, in many cases, Erectile Dysfunction linked to alcohol is reversible. You may begin to see improvement within a few weeks to months of reducing or quitting. If this doesn’t help, try Kegel exercises and consult a doctor. They might prescribe you ED meds if needed.
Can heavy drinking cause chronic Erectile Dysfunction?
Yes, long-term heavy drinking can damage nerves, reduce testosterone, and impair blood flow, leading to chronic ED. It is thus recommended to stick to occasional moderate amounts of alcohol consumption.
Can you take Erectile Dysfunction pills when drinking alcohol?
No, you should not mix ED pills and alcohol, as they might have adverse interactions and side effects. While mild alcohol intake is generally safe, combining high intake with ED pills increases the risk of lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting. It can also lead to poor drug efficacy.
What happens when men mix ED pills and alcohol?
When men mix Erectile Dysfunction pills, such as Cialis (Tadalafil), with alcohol, their vasodilator action is amplified. Since both widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure, when combined, especially in large quantities, they may cause serious side effects, including heart complications.
Can alcohol cause PCOS?
No, PCOS and alcohol are not directly related. However, emerging studies suggest that both external (exogenous) and internal (endogenous) alcohol exposure may contribute to ovarian dysfunction associated with PCOS. So, the relationship between the two is complex and needs further research.
Does alcohol make you last longer in bed?
No, alcohol does not directly increase sexual stamina or duration. While moderate alcohol may reduce anxiety, it often impairs actual performance, especially with increased quantity or regular use. Moreover, it can lead to difficulties with erection and orgasm.
Is alcohol-related sexual dysfunction reversible?
Yes, in many cases, when identified early and addressed with lifestyle changes, alcohol-related sexual dysfunction may be reversible. You can begin by limiting alcohol intake or abstaining entirely and seeking medical advice for hormonal issues.
Cheap Medicine Shop only refers to credible, authoritative sources for our content. If you’re curious about how we ensure the integrity of our content, we encourage you to read our Content Information Policy.
