Alcohol and Sex: How Does Alcohol Affect a Man Sexually?

You might use alcohol to relax after a long day or amp yourself up before a date. But how does alcohol affect a man sexually? Does it make you more confident in the bedroom? Or is it more likely to land you in “whiskey dick” territory?

Despite claims that alcoholic beverages improve sexual activity, some research shows that alcohol may actually lower your sex drive, cause erection problems, and even affect how you ejaculate if used in excess.

But before you stop going to your favorite brewery in the name of protecting your sex life, it’s worth finding out more about the connection between sex and alcohol.

Learn how drinking affects sexual arousal, what it does to erections, and what to do if you’re experiencing alcohol-related sexual health problems.

Having a drink or two might make you feel more confident and put you in the mood for sex. But there can also be unpleasant side effects of alcohol consumption — especially if you’re struggling with alcohol abuse or alcohol use disorder.

Men who engage in heavy drinking, for example, often experience sexual dysfunctions like erectile dysfunction (ED), premature ejaculation (PE), and other sexual health issues.

Keep reading to learn more about the negative effects of alcohol on men’s health — in and outside the bedroom.

People wine and dine for a reason: the hope of boosting their sex drive. But why does alcohol make you horny?

Your sex drive (or desire for sexual activity) can vary depending on many factors, from stress to mental health issues to physical health conditions. Drinking alcohol is associated with lowered inhibitions and an enhanced mood, both of which could lead to sex — but it may not be as effective as you think.

How Does Alcohol Affect Sex Drive and Stamina?

Alcohol binds to receptors in the brain, increasing the chemical dopamine and making you feel carefree. But while you might feel good after a few drinks, alcohol doesn’t necessarily act as an aphrodisiac.

Some research shows that excessive alcohol consumption or binge drinking can lower sexual desire and even cause an “aversion” to sex.

Social settings may play a bigger role in the influence of alcohol on moods, according to some studies.

In other words, the relationship between alcohol and sex drive could be more of a placebo effect. It might actually be the ambiance at a candlelit dinner that’s boosting your desire for sex rather than the wine.

You may have heard of or even experienced “whiskey dick.” This is a slang term for temporary alcohol-induced ED that happens after you’ve had a few drinks.

Alcohol affects everyone differently, of course. Some guys may experience ED after a couple of drinks, while others might experience it after a night of heavy drinking.

Alcohol Affects Blood Flow

Erections usually begin with either mental or physical stimulation, which triggers a multi-step internal process involving the nervous system and cardiovascular system. Alcohol in the bloodstream can mess with this process.

As you feel sexually stimulated, neurotransmitters released by nerves inside the penis make blood vessels relax and widen, increasing blood flow to the erectile tissue inside the penis.

Alcohol can disrupt erections in a few different ways, though. It slows down the central nervous system, making it harder to get and maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.

Alcohol Is Dehydrating

Alcohol also acts as a diuretic. This means it makes you pee more often, which leads to dehydration while reducing total blood volume.

Since erections are all about healthy blood flow, this can make it even more challenging to get and maintain an erection.

Finally, dehydration causes the body to release angiotensin, a hormone that increases blood pressure. Angiotensin also causes blood vessels to narrow, restricting blood flow and possibly making erections more difficult to achieve.

A large amount of alcohol can increase your chances of experiencing temporary erectile dysfunction.

When consumed in excess, alcohol can also reduce testosterone, a primary sex hormone that plays a crucial role in erections and sexual desire.

Maybe alcohol doesn’t kill your erections right away — but it can cause issues with your bedroom performance by making you ejaculate too early or too late.

In one small study of 84 males with alcohol dependence syndrome, 15.5 percent of participants experienced premature ejaculation. PE is when sexual stimulation causes you to reach orgasm and ejaculate too quickly during sex. It can cause distress for you and your partner and lead to sexual performance anxiety.

In another study of 100 subjects, about seven percent of men with alcohol dependence experienced delayed ejaculation. The opposite of PE, delayed ejaculation is when you find it difficult to reach orgasm and ejaculate after an extended period of stimulation.

One of the most popular myths about alcohol is that it can make sex better. Why does alcohol make you sexually active? And does alcohol really make sex feel better?

The term “beer goggles” isn’t just anecdotal — alcohol might make you view people as more sexually attractive. A 2014 study found that those who consumed alcohol rated images of people more highly for attractiveness than a placebo group.

You may also feel like sex lasts longer after you’ve had a few drinks. But this is most likely due to the desensitizing effect of alcohol — hence the issue with delayed ejaculation mentioned above.

A small study found that men experienced less sensation in their genitals after drinking alcohol, meaning it may take longer to reach orgasm.

And remember what we said about alcohol making you feel carefree by binding to dopamine receptors in your brain? The dark side of this effect is that being carefree can quickly become risky. Alcoholic drinks may lead you to have unprotected sex, making you vulnerable to contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Another way alcohol can affect your sex life is by harming your fertility. Alcohol-related ED and low sex drive can make it difficult to perform satisfactorily, but other physical changes can happen if you drink too much.

Research shows that long-term, heavy alcohol use may lead to testicular shrinkage, low testosterone, and decreased sperm production. Binge drinking is also associated with liver problems, which can result in hormonal imbalances that contribute to male infertility.

Yes. An indirect way alcohol can wreck your sex life is by wrecking your relationship. Studies show that higher levels of emotional intimacy are associated with higher sexual desire and more frequent sexual activity in partnered couples.

Yet, relationships can suffer due to alcohol’s impact on communication, emotional intimacy, and trust. Partners may feel neglected or frustrated by the impaired sexual performance and emotional distance.

Studies show that heavy drinking is linked to lower relationship satisfaction and more negative interactions between married partners. People who drink too much are less likely to actively engage in improving their relationships, often because they don’t place as much value on their intimate relationships as responsible drinkers (or non-drinkers).

Though alcohol may have a reputation as something that leads to sex, it’s a depressant that can mess with blood flow to the penis. Excessive drinking can seriously impact your sexual performance.

How does alcohol affect a man sexually? Here’s what to remember:

• Heavy drinking may lead to sexual dysfunction. Excessive alcohol consumption — either occasionally having too many drinks or alcohol dependence syndrome — has been linked to ED, decreased sex drive, delayed or premature ejaculation, and reduced testosterone levels.

• Alcohol isn’t a reliable aphrodisiac. A drink or two might make you feel more confident and sexier (depending on your own alcohol tolerance, of course). But overdoing it on the booze can cause more problems in bed.

• Excessive alcohol intake may be a risk factor for other health issues. While you might feel bolder and more likely to take risks sexually after drinking, it’s important to practice safe sex and make sure your partner is on the same page.

• Alcohol creates problematic consent issues. Another risk of drinking too much is not being able to give consent. This goes without saying, but always make sure all parties involved can give clear, enthusiastic consent. If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a hard no.

If you’re struggling with erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation — either with or without alcohol — talk to a healthcare professional specializing in sexual medicine about possible treatments.

Erectile dysfunction treatments are typically oral medications such as:

• Sildenafil (generic Viagra®)

• Tadalafil (Cialis®)

• Vardenafil (Levitra®)

• Avanafil (Stendra®)

For premature ejaculation, your provider may prescribe antidepressants off-label to help you last longer, or you can turn to over-the-counter products like desensitizing wipes.

You may also want to consider therapy, healthy lifestyle changes, or a combination of treatments to improve sexual function.

Want to learn more about the link between alcohol and sex? Find out what happens to ED symptoms when you stop drinking and learn which three drinks may help boost your libido.