Sexuality is very much influenced by alcohol. However, the effect of alcohol is strongly dose-dependent.
The blood alcohol level depends on:
Small amounts of alcohol have a sexually stimulating effect. It is well known that alcohol has a disinhibitory effect and thus increases pleasure. In a report in "Sexual Medicine" it is described that small amounts of alcohol increase testosterone levels in women, which is accompanied by an increase in the feeling of pleasure.
Those who want to use the "positive" effects of alcohol, but at the same time do not want to lose any of their sexual energy, should limit their consumption to about 0.5 grams of alcohol per kilogram of body weight. That means e.g. for a 75 kilogram heavy man, he should not drink completely two quarters white wine.
With a larger quantity of alcohol the pronunciation becomes "fluffy". There are slight disturbances in coordination. Sexuality can become more aggressive and ruthless. To reach orgasm, a stronger stimulation is needed. Sometimes you just get tired and fall asleep prematurely.
Large amounts of alcohol make the movements awkward and dizzy. Women and men have problems reaching orgasm at this stage of drunkenness. The ability to have an erection can also suffer. It is true: the mind is willing, but the body can no longer.
If you drink a lot of alcohol, you are no longer able to think coherently and be active. Sexuality becomes impossible, maintaining an erection is usually impossible and an orgasm is not achieved.
If one has consumed large amounts of alcohol over a longer period of time or has reached the pathological form, i.e. alcoholism, the desire for sex is reduced. Sexual performance can even be permanently impaired.
If alcohol is not consumed regularly, the sexual disturbances and general physical changes decrease again after the blood alcohol level has fallen.
Constant alcohol consumption causes changes in the body that lead to permanent damage. This leads to personality, brain and nerve changes as well as to the known liver damage (cirrhosis), diseases of the heart, etc.
Sexuality becomes a minor matter, and physical performance in sexuality is reduced or no longer present at all.
Alcohol acts as a nerve poison and attacks the brain. The physical metabolism changes due to liver damage, the interaction of the sex hormones is out of balance.
The mental disorder underlying alcoholism can also have an effect on pleasure or potency.
In the case of alcoholism, the disturbed sexuality is only a symptom. The cause must be treated. This takes place in the difficult and very long lasting therapy of alcoholism. In the first place is the insight of the affected person to be alcoholic.
Information on the therapy can be obtained from the Anonymous Alcoholics or from your family doctor. Alcohol is a drug that is not only addictive to the mind, but also to the body. It is therefore advisable to take a detox after the detoxification of the body.
The withdrawal symptoms can be alleviated by medication. Psychological care, which must also include the partner, is the basis for any other therapy. Often sexual problems are also solved if the addiction is treated successfully.
Written by Mark Riegel, MD
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