Alcohol is a widely popular beverage that people drink during gatherings. While some people only have an alcoholic beverage on some occasions, others form a habit of drinking alcohol.
Just a few drinks now and then will not likely cause problems with health. Among people who drink too much alcohol, sexual issues are to be expected.
It is crucial for men to understand how alcohol can affect their sex drive. While some men experience benefits in the short term, there are long-term adverse effects that need to be noted. In this post, we explore the effects of alcohol on a person’s sex drive. We also consider how alcohol affects fertility and general sexual health.
Alcohol And Consent
Consent is an integral part of sexual activity. When a man wants to have sex with a partner, they first need to get their consent. This means the partner should provide a clear “yes” before sexual interactions are initiated. If the partner does not provide a “yes” and feels uncomfortable, it is not considered consensual sex.
Alcohol is a common substance associated with sexual assault and sex that is not considered consensual. This is because alcohol can interfere with a person’s ability to make appropriate judgments.
In such a case, the man may force themselves onto a partner. The effects of alcohol make it hard for the man to be in control of their own actions. In turn, it may lead to alcohol-related rape – something that is more common than a lot of people think.
Several scientific publications and studies have looked at the connection between sexual assault and alcohol.
In one paper, researchers analyzed multiple pieces of literature that were previously published. The purpose of the paper was to get a more comprehensive view of the relationship between alcohol and sexual assault or abuse. Researchers found that there are three specific effects of alcohol that contributes to this type of behavior. This includes the impact that alcohol has on motor effects, cognition, and a person’s psychological state.
Another study focused on gaining insight into the current statistics of sexual assault, particularly when alcohol was involved. The study collected data on a large number of sexual assault cases. Among the victims, 55% were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the assault. There was a higher statistic among offenders. Researchers report that 73% of the offenders used alcohol prior to the event.
According to the University of Tulsa, alcohol is often rated the number one date rape substance. This remains true even when alcohol is compared to illicit drugs. The paper explains that alcohol impacts a person’s ability to give consent to sexual intercourse. Among offenders, alcohol use may alter the person’s ability to ask for consent before initiating sexual activities with a partner.
Alcohol And Arousal
Sexual arousal plays an important part in a man’s overall performance during sex. When a man has a low sex drive, he may experience multiple problems in the bedroom. This could include weak erections. In this case, the man may think he has sexual dysfunction. In reality, it is the depressant effects of alcohol abuse that causes the symptoms to manifest.
With this in mind, it is important that men understand how alcohol can affect their arousal and sex drive. An erection does, after all, start in the brain. When there are problems with the psychological areas of sexual behavior and performance, physical symptoms may also be present.
There are a few studies that looked at how alcohol affects sexual arousal among both men and women.
One study looked at how alcohol intoxication would affect arousal and erectile function among young men. The men included in the study were moderate drinkers. This means the participants were not addicted to alcohol but still drank a moderate amount of these beverages.
Two experiments were performed on these men. In both experiments, men were provided with instructions to either increase or decrease their arousal. The researchers based this on the idea that erectile function holds a strong connection to arousal. At the same time, it was suggested that mod and context played a part in either dampening or heightening arousal.
Among men who were intoxicated, there was little difference in sexual function regardless of the instructions provided. A more significant difference was noted among the men who were not exposed to alcohol.
In another study, men were divided into three groups. One group was provided with a low amount of alcohol. The other groups had more moderate to a high amount of alcohol. The men were then exposed to motion pictures with erotic themes. The idea was to see how different amounts of alcohol would affect sexual abilities and performance.
A slight reduction in sexual arousal was noted in the men who took a low or moderate amount of alcohol. Among those who took a higher amount of alcohol, the inhibition of sex drive was much more significant.
Alcohol can also lead to an increase in blood pressure. It may cause premature ejaculation. When combined with substance abuse, the effects on arousal will be more significantly affected. Male alcoholics may also experience reduced sensitivity to sexual stimulation when they drink excessive alcohol.
Alcohol And Fertility
Among men who still want to have kids, sexual health is not the only factor to consider. Men need to take note of the effects that alcohol addiction can have on their fertility too. Factors that affect sperm motility, count, or volume can all have adverse effects on a man’s ability to conceive.
Having just a few drinks a week will not likely cause problems with fertility. Alcohol becomes a problem when a person drinks heavily. In these scenarios, numerous effects happen in the body. The combination of effects can impact the man’s fertility. It should be noted that alcohol can also cause problems with female fertility.
One research paper explains that alcohol causes an impairment in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis in the male body. When this happens, there is reduced secretion of two essential hormones:
- Follicle-stimulating hormone
- Luteinizing hormone
Alcohol does not only cause the production of these hormones to be reduced. Too much alcohol can also reduce the potency of the two hormones.
One study shows as little as six drinks in a single week can already cause problems with fertility. In this study, it was found that women who drank about six drinks each week had a reduced chance of conceiving. The women who took part in the study were all over the age of 30.
Long Term Effects
When looking at alcohol and sex drive, it is important to consider more than just the acute effects of these beverages. There are also long-term effects that men should consider. These long term effects may be more detrimental compared to the acute side-effects caused by alcohol.
One of the major effects lies in the body’s ability to produce an adequate amount of testosterone. This is the primary sex hormone in the male body. A man’s body depends on testosterone for a large number of functions.
A few studies have considered the impact that alcohol has on a man’s testosterone levels. One study provided men with a dose equal to 1.5 grams per one kilogram of body weight. The average dose of alcohol provided to the study participants was 120 grams of ethanol.
While no significant difference was noted in testosterone levels when tested after three to nine hours of ingestion, an impact was observed later. When measured between 10 to 16 hours, there was an average reduction in testosterone of 23%. This is one of the numerous studies to show alcohol tend to have a long-term effect on testosterone.
When testosterone levels decline, men can experience multiple symptoms and adverse effects. Low testosterone levels have been associated with a reduction in sexual desire. Testosterone does not directly affect erectile function. It should be noted, however, that a decline in arousal can cause erectile problems.
Testosterone also forms an important part of the sperm production process. When alcohol causes testosterone levels to decline, it may have further implications for fertility.
How To Naturally Improve Your Sex Drive?
When a man has a low sex drive, there are a few options to help them boost their arousal. The first thing is to look at alcohol consumption. We discussed how alcohol could affect a man’s sex drive. With this in mind, men should ensure they limit alcohol intake to prevent a decline in their sexual desire.
Other factors can also contribute to low libido. Thus, it is essential to consider multiple causes. At the same time, we need to look at natural ways that men can boost their sex drive without pharmaceutical drugs.
We share a few effective tips that can help men who feel like they can do with a better sex drive below:
- Lose Some Weight: If you are overweight or obese, this is one of the initial areas to address. Excess weight in the body can lead to multiple adverse effects. In men, higher body fat content is associated with a reduction in testosterone levels too. The more weight you gain in the form of fat, the lower your testosterone becomes. This can lead to a poor sex drive, fertility problems, and issues with your general health.
- Exercise More: Physical activity is a common recommendation. You need to be active on a daily basis to help you stay healthy and fit. When you exercise, you are burning calories. This means exercise helps you reduce body fat content. It also helps to build muscle mass. Studies have shown that frequent exercise may help to elevate testosterone and your performance in the bedroom. Exercise is also great for depression – which is a common problem that leads to low libido.
- Try Supplements: Many herbal supplements claim to help boost your sex drive. Some work, but there are a few that don’t work. You may have to try a few before you find an option that works for you. Start with a supplement that contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Zinc supplements can also be helpful. These are all nutrients that your body depends on to produce enough testosterone.
- Sleep More: Sleep deficiency has become a significant health problem throughout the world. When a person does not sleep enough, they may experience adverse effects in terms of their well-being. In some studies, it has been shown that poor sleep can interfere with testosterone production. Sleep deficiency is also linked to depression and anxiety. These psychological disorders can have a serious impact on a person’s libido.
- Take Time To Relax: The accumulation of daily stress can significantly affect health too – and even cause a dip in a man’s testosterone levels. Stress leads to depression, as well. These are factors that can interfere with libido. Relaxation techniques, such as meditation and drinking chamomile tea, may be helpful.
Conclusion
While alcohol might make a person feel relaxed, drinking too much can significantly impact health. Alcohol consumption can also lead to inappropriate and irresponsible decisions. Heavy drinkers will likely experience an increased risk of erectile dysfunction and similar sexual complications.
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