Erectile dysfunction (ED) often becomes the invisible wall, pushing intimacy away and confidence down. There are ways to pull confidence and self-assuredness from many different places but it can feel complicated. While there are numerous factors involved with ED, alcohol is one area rarely touched on. It’s no secret that drinks allow you to loosen your nerves and get you in the mood; however, what many people do not realize is that there isn’t always a correlation between alcohol and sexual performance. In fact, that “liquid courage” might sometimes be restrictiveness, or hinder the situation when sex is expected.
The Basics of Alcohol and ED
Every time you raise a glass, you are saying something to your nervous system, hormones, and blood circulation. These systems interact when you are attempting to establish an erection naturally. There must be signals sent in the brain, blood vessels must dilate, and hormones must be firing on all cylinders. Add alcohol, especially in a larger quantity, and you take away brain signals. Alcohol can actually slow verbal communication from your brain to your body. Therefore, an erection can be harder to get or to even keep.
Short-Term & Long-Term Impacts
Every once in a while drinking might lead to what is colloquially known as “whiskey dick”, where it just doesn’t happen after a good night of drinking. Usually it’s only temporary, and it subsides once the alcohol is metabolized and leaves the body. However, prolonged heavy drinking is a different story. Drinking regularly can cause damage to blood vessels, reduce testosterone levels and damage the liver. All of these effects put you at an increased risk for longer-term ED.
The Emotional Piece
This is not only a problem in the physical body. Although many people use alcohol as a means to reduce anxiety, stress, and/or discomfort in social situations, it can easily become the norm and a step towards alcohol dependency. Additionally, it is not only harmful to your body, but it can harm relationships too. There is tremendous amount of confusion, frustration and low self-esteem associated with not being able to participate in intimacy. Dealing with the emotional aspect of this is as important as dealing with the physical aspect.
What You Can Do?
The good news is that there can be significant changes with correct lifestyle changes. All address hormones and circulation. Reduced alcohol intake plug in whole-foods and exercise, can achieve all bigger strides in well-being. If you are looking for additional advice and information on ED with a natural route, check out medypharmacy.com. It is a resource with a wealth of information and support for people navigating lifestyle changes, alone or with your partner.
FAQs
1. Can I get erectile dysfunction from drinking only occasionally?
Yes, even one night of heavy drinking will have a temporary affect on your performance, but it does always get better when the alcohol is out of your system.
2. Does alcohol really lower testosterone?
Heavy chronic drinking can actually lower testosterone- one of the important hormones involved in sexual health- making the development of ED over time more likely.
3. If I have drinking related ED, do I have to quit drinking altogether?
Not necessarily. By reducing your drinking, changing your lifestyle habits to healthier ones, and resolving managing stress to improve your overall health leads to better outcomes.
4. Should I see a doctor if I think alcohol is causing my ED?
Yes. Seeing a doctor is a good idea as they can rule out other reasons for your erectile dysfunction, and provide the appropriate limits for your drinking if they feel necessary, anyway, they can also help you look for treatments or implement counseling if needed.
5. Is there any medical treatment available for alcohol, related ED?
Consultations, lifestyle changes and (PDE5) medications if appropriate e.g. some oral medications, counseling. It is particularly important to treat the alcohol dependance.
