Does alcohol affect erections?

Many people find that drinking increases their sex drive, namely due to the fact that it can lower their inhibitions, leaving them feeling more confident. However, there’s no denying that alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on sexual performance. 

As such, if you ever struggle to get (or maintain) an erection after drinking, you aren’t alone. 

In this article, we’ll explore the link between alcohol and erectile dysfunction, giving you an answer to the question: does alcohol affect erections? 

What is erectile dysfunction? 

Erectile dysfunction (impotence) refers to an individual's ability (or inability) to get and maintain an erection, which often has a knock-on effect on their sex life. According to a recent study (1), 1 in 5 men in the UK will experience an ED at some stage in their lives, though it is most common in those aged 40 and above.

There are many potential triggers for ED, including high blood pressure, specific medications, and mental health struggles such as depression. While most people are able to have a few drinks without dealing with the symptoms of ED, excessive or chronic drinking is often linked with sexual dysfunction.

Does drinking cause erectile dysfunction? 

As mentioned above, moderate drinking does not typically have an effect on a person’s ability to perform sexually. In fact, one study(2) found that light to moderate alcohol consumption (fewer than 21 drinks/week) was associated with a decreased risk of erectile dysfunction.

This could be attributed to a drink helping individuals overcome the nerves or anxiety typically associated with sexual encounters, which can otherwise impact sexual performance. This is perhaps why some individuals opt to drink ahead of any sexual encounters, with 4.2% of men and 2.2% of women admitting to drinking ahead of time each time they have sex(3).

However, when alcohol consumption becomes excessive, or an individual participates in binge-drinking activities (more than eight units of alcohol in one evening), they are much more likely to experience the symptoms of ED. This could include: 

• Difficulty getting an erection
• Difficulty maintaining an erection
• Premature ejaculation, or an inability to ejaculate

Dealing with ED can also lead to numerous other issues. For example, it is a point of anxiety for many, with one study(4) finding that the chances of developing depression increase three-fold when experiencing erectile dysfunction.

What is the link between impotence and alcohol?

There are many different triggers for alcoholism erectile dysfunction.

For example, having more than three drinks in a single setting can cause your blood pressure to spike. This, in turn, can impact blood flow, which alters your ability to maintain or get an erection. In some cases, excessive drinking can lower your blood pressure, which can lead to similar issues in regard to blood flow.

Alcohol also has an impact on your CNS (Central Nervous System) due to the fact that it acts as a depressant. This can slow down brain activity, which is often why we feel more relaxed or laid-back when drinking. However, this could also mean that our brains and bodies do not respond in the same way to stimulation, meaning that getting an erection is difficult and, in some cases, seemingly impossible.

On a similar note, it is often reported that alcohol intake can have a negative impact on testosterone production when consumed in high amounts. Not only can this impact an individual’s ability to maintain an erection, but it is also associated with a drop in libido (sex drive) and stamina. There are many potential reasons for this. For example, low testosterone levels tend to have a negative impact on an individual's mood and overall happiness, meaning they’ll feel less likely to indulge in sexual activities. However, this hormone is also primarily responsible for numerous sexual functions and triggers, meaning that a drop in testosterone is bound to have an impact on sexual performance, too.

Can alcohol affect sex and fertility?

As alcohol ED can impact your ability to maintain an erection, it impacts all areas of your sexual performance, including your ability to reach orgasm. As such, it is also typically associated with fertility issues.

Speaking more broadly, long-term or excessive alcohol consumption can lead to fertility issues among both men and women(5). For example, many studies(6) have found that men who drink excessively are more likely to deal with:

• Reduced gonadotropin release
• Testicular atrophy
• Decreased testosterone levels
• Decreased sperm production

It is also worth noting that long-term substance abuse issues, such as alcoholism, can cause nerve damage. While alcohol erectile dysfunction is often temporary, this could mean that individuals are then dealing with long-term erectile dysfunction. After all, damage to these nerves can once again mean that it's difficult to maintain or get an erection.

Can you cure ED?

As mentioned, dealing with erectile dysfunction (regardless of the specific trigger) can have a profound effect on all areas of your life, from interpersonal relationships with partners to your mental well-being. For this reason, you may find yourself questioning whether or not there is a cure for erectile dysfunction or if this is something you need to learn to live with.

Fortunately, there are many different ways in which you can reduce the symptoms of sexual dysfunction and impotence. This includes the use of specific medications, such as Tadalafil, which can be taken regularly or as needed.

Some people also find that lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking, exercising more frequently, and maintaining a healthy weight can lead to a significant reduction in ED symptoms. In fact, one study(7) found that regular smokers noticed an improvement in erectile function less than two weeks after putting down the cigarettes, though better results are noticed over time.

If I stop drinking, will my ED go away?

If you’re dealing with erectile dysfunction and you’ve noticed a direct correlation between alcohol consumption and decreased sexual performance, then you may want to consider cutting back on alcohol.

For example, one study(8) found that, among individuals with alcohol abuse disorder, a three-month abstinence from alcohol led to a significant improvement in erectile dysfunction symptoms among 88.5% of participants.

However, it is worth noting that cutting back on alcohol consumption is often associated with a decrease in libido - though this tends to increase or stabilise after a few weeks or months.

Final thoughts

Known for its ability to reduce our inhibitions, it's normal to have a few drinks before a sexual encounter - whether you’re heading on a night out or on a date. After all, with 60% of men admitting to avoiding sexual encounters due to anxiety, alcohol often feels like a great way to open yourself up to new experiences without fear or worry.

For this reason, it is hardly surprising that light to moderate alcohol consumption can have a positive effect on an individual’s sex life, reducing ED symptoms and generally leaving them feeling more confident.

However, when alcohol is consumed in excess, whether that be over a long period of time or during a binge drinking episode, this can lead to sexual dysfunction among both men and women. Among women, this can impact the blood flow to the vagina, which typically influences their arousal(9).

Among men, this can lead to erectile dysfunction, which can manifest in numerous different ways, including difficulty maintaining or getting an erection, difficulty reaching orgasm, premature ejaculation, or a significantly reduced libido.

For many, alcohol-related ED is a temporary problem, which only occurs when they have drunk too much, as opposed to being a recurring issue. As a result, many will report that sexual function and responsiveness return to normal once they’re no longer drinking or reducing the amount of alcohol they consume ahead of sexual encounters.

However, chronic alcohol abuse can lead to more long-term problems in relation to sexual performance, impacting everything from an individual’s ability to get an erection to their fertility. As such, it is generally advised that individuals should work to reduce alcohol intake where possible, especially when this can have far-reaching effects on other aspects of their lives, too.

When the symptoms of an ED become more than an occasional occurrence, it can lead to numerous issues. For example, it affects an individual's ability to maintain a healthy sex life with their partner, and their mental health often suffers as a result of this. Fortunately, there are many different ways in which ED can be treated and managed, such as through medication that can be taken when needed (i.e., ahead of sexual encounters) or more consistently.

Similarly, cutting back (or eliminating) alcohol and tobacco intake, exercising more frequently, and generally following a healthier lifestyle are also associated with improved sexual performance.

If you are dealing with erectile dysfunction and are in need of some further help or assistance, please do not hesitate to get in touch today.

References

1. Van Hemelrijck M. King’s College London. 2019 [cited 2024 Jul 2]. The global prevalence of erectile dysfunction.
2. Wang XM, Bai YJ, Yang YB, Li JH, Tang Y, Han P. Alcohol intake and risk of erectile dysfunction: a dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies. Int J Impot Res [Internet]. 2018 Nov [cited 2024 Jul 2];30(6):342–51.
3. Eaton NR, Thompson RG Jr, Hu MC, Goldstein RB, Saha TD, Hasin DS. Regularly drinking alcohol before sexual activity in a nationally representative sample: Prevalence, sociodemographics, and associations with psychiatric and substance use disorders. Am J Public Health [Internet]. 2015 Jul [cited 2024 Jul 2];105(7):1387–93.
4. Allen MS, Wood AM, Sheffield D. The psychology of erectile dysfunction. Curr Dir Psychol Sci [Internet]. 2023 Dec 8 [cited 2024 Jul 2];32(6):487–93.
5. Finelli R, Mottola F, Agarwal A. Impact of alcohol consumption on male fertility potential: A narrative review. Int J Environ Res Public Health [Internet]. 2021 Dec 29 [cited 2024 Jul 2];19(1):328.
6. Van Heertum K, Rossi B. Alcohol and fertility: how much is too much? Fertil Res Pract [Internet]. 2017 Jul 10 [cited 2024 Jul 2];3(1):10.
7. Sahin MO, Sen V, Gunduz G, Ucer O. Effect of smoking cessation on sexual functions in men aged 30 to 60 years. Int Braz J Urol [Internet]. 2020 Jul;46(4):642–8.
8. Karunakaran A, Michael JP. The impact of Abstinence From Alcohol on Erectile Dysfunction: A Prospective Follow up in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder. J Sex Med [Internet]. 2022 Apr [cited 2024 Jul 2];19(4):581–9.
9. Norris J. Alcohol and female sexuality: A look at expectancies and risks. Alcohol Health Res World [Internet]. 1994 [cited 2024 Jul 2];18(3):197–201.