This Beer Might Cause Erectile Dysfunction?!

Alcohol is good for your sex life, right? It gives you the confidence you would otherwise lack. Chatting up that hot blonde at the bar is way easier after a drink or two.

That may be true, but that’s where the positive side effects end. In general, booze is bad for your sex life.

Alcohol Causes Erectile Dysfunction

We all laugh at those commercials advertising little blue pills for old guys. But sadly, erectile dysfunction doesn’t just plague the older population. Many men as young as 30 struggle with impotence.

There are many things that can lead to erectile dysfunction—poorly executed exercises, low testosterone, obesity, heart problems. Some of the causes of erectile dysfunction are psychological or stress-induced. However, one of the most common instigators of ED is alcohol.

We all know alcohol affects our brain. But did you know it affects your penis too?!

It’s true. Alcohol decreases blood flow throughout the body. And since an erection requires plenty of blood pumping into the lower half of your body, it’s obvious why this is a bad thing.

There’s Proof

Studies show that sober men are able to produce an erection much more quickly than men who have been drinking (wouldn’t it be interesting to be part of that study?!). That is, if they are able to produce an erection—many men aren’t able to perform at all.

Even if men are able to achieve an erection (and orgasm), it probably isn’t as much fun as sober sex. Alcohol is a depressant, which dampens our mood and enjoyment of sex.

Moreover, men who drink heavily and chronically run a 60-70% chance of sexual problems.

Temporary and Long-Term Effects

While we can all say with certainty that alcohol causes erectile dysfunction, there is some debate as to whether the damage is temporary or long-term.

Most alcohol-induce ED is temporary. Once the man sobers up, sex goes back to normal. However, that isn’t always the case. Sometimes, the impotence isn’t as easy to clear up.

Long-term erectile dysfunction is very common in men who drink significant amounts of alcohol. If you drink regularly or binge heavily, you’ll probably be hitting the sheets alone for a while.

Even if you ease off the alcohol for a bit, the psychological damage can stick around. Your temporary ED might mess with your mind, making you think you’re lousy in bed. Therefore, the temporary erectile dysfunction turns into long-term erectile dysfunction.

So I Can’t Drink At All?!

We aren’t saying you have to choose between alcohol and sex. The thing you want to keep in mind is moderation. You can drink…just don’t drink a lot.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends men stick to two drinks per day. If you go over that threshold, your sexual performance will start to diminish.

It Might Not Be the Alcohol

If you’ve been experiencing ED and want to put a stop to it, try reducing your alcohol consumption for a while. If that doesn’t help, talk to your doctor. There might be something else causing your impotence. And if that’s the case, you can maybe go back to drinking again!

While alcohol and sex don’t usually play nicely together, it doesn’t mean you’re facing one of the world’s most challenging ultimatums. It simply means that moderation is best—as is the case with just about every activity that is combined with alcohol. So drink up!