Everything about Alcohol and Erectile Dysfunction
One thing should be clear to everyone, that nothing remains beneficial when it goes beyond a certain permissible limit. Even the sweet ‘sugar’ can give us severe diabetes and cholesterol if taken in too much. The same is the case with alcohol. It helps some people to relax, socialize, and celebrate. But on the other hand, there are cases when drinkers lose self-control and meet with some really bad incidents.
Alcohol and Erectile Dysfunction have close proximity to each other. In case someone is not so confident in the bedroom or is way too self-conscious, he can simply have one or two glasses of alcohol of his choice and forget about the bedroom jitters. It may also reduce one’s anxiety before sex to a certain extent. But excess alcohol before sex would do more harm than good. Let us see how can alcohol cause erectile dysfunction or affect a man sexually.
Ways in which Alcohol Affects the Men’s Sex Life
#1 Symptoms of Erectile Dysfunction
It has been proven time and again that men who are heavily addicted to alcohol, have a 60 to 70 per cent chance of suffering from sexual problems. The most common set of sexual problems that arise from a heavy addiction to alcohol is erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation, and loss of sexual desire.
Alcohol is a depressant that decreases sexual desire and makes it difficult for a man to achieve erections or maintain it for a good while under the influence. In fact, excess alcohol consumption has been one of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction in men.
Chronic and excess consumption of alcohol gives rise to the risk of long-term erectile dysfunction as well. It is a diuretic, meaning it’s dehydrating and increases urination. Dehydration can lead to increased levels of the hormone angiotensin, which narrows blood vessels. Angiotensin can limit blood flow to the penis, which eventually results in long-term erectile dysfunction.
#2 Reduced intensity of sexual pleasure
It is said that too much alcohol affects both the brain as well as penis. The University of Washington has observed that sober men were able to achieve an erection more quickly than those who were under the influence of excess alcohol. Again, for some men, it was beyond possibility to be able to achieve an erection at all post-drinking.
This is because too much booze just before sex decreases blood flow towards the penile region, reduces the intensity of orgasm, and eventually dampens the level of excitement or sex drive. In the simplest of terms, one’s sexual experience may not be as pleasurable as it could be without the excess alcohol.
#3 Lowering levels of testosterone
Alcohol can also lead to a drop in testosterone hormone levels. Testosterone deficiency limits nitric oxide production, which is the key molecule that relaxes the blood vessels in your penile region.
#4 Relationship issues with partner
As per the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol use beyond the moderate level gives rise to multiple relationship problems including violent conflict, infidelity, economic insecurity, and even divorce. In addition to this, about 90 per cent of all sexual assaults involve alcohol consumption.
#5 Mixing Smoke with Alcohol accelerates ED risk
In case you are someone who is more likely to light up while drinking, you are most likely to increase your risk of getting ED. For most men under the age of 40 years, smoking is the biggest cause of erectile dysfunction and studies show that men who smoke more than 10 cigarettes daily are at an increased risk for erectile dysfunction.
#6 End up Doing Unprotected Sex
Another significant risk when combining sex with alcohol is missing out on having protected sex. While under the heavy influence of alcohol, most men forget about protective measures like condoms and thus get exposed to sexually transmitted diseases.
It has been seen that almost 50 per cent of unplanned sexual encounters involve alcohol, and 60 per cent of STDs are transmitted when alcohol is involved. It is sad but true that younger adults who are into excess alcohol consumption, are seven times more likely to have unprotected sex.
#7 Losing control and track
After drinking alcohol, it becomes more and more difficult to control movements, communicate with a partner, and focus on a partner’s needs.
Will ED go away by quitting Alcohol?
Quitting alcohol is one of the lifestyle changes that is required to reverse ED symptoms in men. For some people, it might combine with a set of medications to bring out the best possible results, in terms of curing ED permanently.
Although in most alcohol-induced ED cases, it is reversible with cessation of alcohol consumption, it is always best to consult an authorized medical practitioner for a proper diagnosis and get to know the best possible treatment options.
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Conclusion
- Having a couple of servings of any alcoholic drink might help some people to get in the mood for sex, and also make it all the more enjoyable.
- But one should keep in mind that having too much alcohol would actually inflict more adverse effects.
- It is never advisable to engage in sexual activity when either partner is way too drunk to make informed decisions. An absolutely clear consent under full sense is required, no matter what.