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How does alcohol affect potency?

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 07.06.2024

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Alcohol can affect potency (a man's ability to achieve and maintain an erection) in several ways, both physiologically and psychologically. Here's how alcohol can affect potency:

Nervous system depression

Indeed, alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system. This means that it suppresses nervous activity and can affect many physiological and psychological processes in the body, including sexual function and potency. Here's how depressing the nervous system with alcohol can affect potency:

Deterioration of vascular function: Alcohol dilates blood vessels, which can lead to decreased blood flow to the genitals. This can make it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection.
Slower body response: Alcohol consumption can slow the body's response to sexual arousal. This can make it harder to get an erection and reduce its persistence.
Reduced sexual stimulation: Alcohol consumption can reduce sexual stimulation and increase the time it takes to reach orgasm.
Psychological factors: Alcohol may reduce inhibition and lower barriers to sexual activity, but it can also lead to decreased sexual confidence and increased risk of sexual dysfunction due to psychological factors such as anxiety or depression.
Hormonal imbalance: Chronic alcohol consumption can disrupt normal levels of hormones such as testosterone, which plays an important role in maintaining healthy sexual function.

In general, excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on sexual function and potency, especially in the long term. If you are experiencing problems with potency or sexual function, it is recommended that you see a doctor for evaluation and advice on how to treat and manage these problems.

Decreased blood flow

Alcohol can affect potency through decreased blood flow to the genitals. Here's how it happens:

Vasodilation: Alcohol causes blood vessels to dilate (vasodilation), including the arteries that are responsible for the blood supply to the genitals. Although this can lead to a temporary increase in sexual desire and arousal, in the long term, excessive vasodilation can reduce blood flow to the genitals and make it more difficult to achieve and maintain an erection.
Nervous system depression: Alcohol acts as a depressant on the central nervous system, which can lead to a depression of the nerve signals responsible for the response to sexual arousal. This can slow arousal and reduce blood flow to the genitals, which can make it difficult to achieve and maintain an erection.
Desensitization: Excessive alcohol consumption can desensitize nerve endings in the genitals, which can make it difficult to reach orgasm.
Increased time to erectile dysfunction: Alcohol consumption can increase the time it takes to achieve and maintain an erection. This may be due to nervous system depression, decreased blood flow, and other factors caused by alcohol.

Although small amounts of alcohol can temporarily increase sexual desire and unleash inhibition, excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative impact on potency in the long term. If you are experiencing problems with potency or sexual function, it is recommended that you see a physician for evaluation and advice on how to treat and manage these problems.

Psychological factors

Psychological factors can have a significant impact on potency, and alcohol consumption can also play a role in this process. Here are some of the psychological and physiological mechanisms through which alcohol can affect potency:

Depression and Anxiety: Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to the development of depression and anxiety, which can negatively affect sexual function, including erectile function.
Decreased sex drive: Alcohol can have a depressive effect on the central nervous system, which can lead to decreased sex drive and interest in sexual relationships.
Decreased sensitivity and arousal: Alcohol use can depress the nervous system, which can decrease sensitivity and arousal, which in turn can lead to decreased erection quality.
Effect on blood flow: Excessive alcohol consumption can affect blood flow in the body, including blood flow to the genitals. This can lead to difficulty in achieving and maintaining an erection.
Relationship problems: Alcohol use can cause conflict and relationship problems with your partner, which can also negatively affect sexual function.

It is important to note that moderate alcohol use, especially when combined with a healthy lifestyle and relationships, may be less likely to be associated with sexual problems than excessive and immoderate use. However, if you are experiencing problems with potency or other sexual problems, it is recommended that you see a doctor or sexologist for counseling and help.

Hormonal changes

Alcohol consumption can cause various hormonal changes that can in turn affect potency. Here are some of them:

Testosterone levels: Alcohol consumption can lead to a decrease in testosterone levels in the blood in men. Testosterone plays an important role in maintaining healthy sexual function and potency, so a decrease in testosterone can affect erectile function.
Blood circulation: Alcohol can affect blood circulation by causing blood vessels to dilate. While this can temporarily increase blood flow to the genitals and improve erections, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to prolonged vasoconstriction and impaired blood flow, which can ultimately affect potency.
Nervous system: Alcohol affects the nervous system, which can lead to decreased sexual desire and arousal.
Psychological factors: Alcohol use can lead to psychological problems such as depression and anxiety, which can also have a negative impact on potency.
Erection ability: Although moderate alcohol consumption can temporarily improve the ability to get an erection in some people, excessive alcohol consumption can cause erection problems or even long-term impotence.

In general, although some people may temporarily experience improved erectile function after drinking alcohol, excessive and regular alcohol consumption often leads to potency problems. It is important to remember that individual reactions to alcohol can vary, and that moderate alcohol consumption and an overall healthy lifestyle are important for maintaining healthy potency.

Although alcohol consumption can temporarily reduce inhibition and increase sexual desire, in the long term, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to potency problems. If you have potency problems, it is recommended that you see a doctor to assess your condition and get advice on how to treat and manage these problems.