Alcohol is also linked to over 200 diseases and injuries<\/a>. Long-term and heavy alcohol consumption has been associated with liver disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, anxiety, and depression. These conditions can cause erectile dysfunction. Men may also develop alcohol dependence<\/a> and alcohol addiction<\/a>. While reducing the number of drinks you consume can help prevent health problems, alcohol can be potent, and some of us may be particularly sensitive to its short-term negative effects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve explained that alcohol is a drug. What we\u2019ve yet to mention is that it\u2019s specifically classified as a social drug<\/a>. Culturally, we often open a bottle of liquor to celebrate or mark important occasions, especially when surrounded by others. This is because alcohol lowers inhibitions. Many people view alcohol as a way to overcome their \u2018shyness\u2019 or social anxiety<\/a>, which explains why alcohol consumption peaks during the holiday season<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Traditional holiday drinks include bourbon<\/a>, rum<\/a>, and whiskey<\/a>. These darker spirits make it easier to become intoxicated and experience a hangover<\/a> due to their high alcohol content. On average, they contain 40% alcohol, which is on the higher end. Martinis<\/a>, which typically contain around 15% alcohol, are also popular, though this depends on the mixture, as tweaking drinks have become increasingly common. Additionally, there is a widespread cultural tendency to get \u2018wasted\u2019 during special occasions<\/a>, viewing them as an opportunity to indulge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite the hazards, alcohol is so ingrained in our culture that we\u2019ve even turned drinking into games, such as taking as many shots as possible or downing a glass as quickly as we can. While this may seem entertaining, we often face a hangover that leaves us uncomfortable for a day. We might also experience an alcohol-induced blackout<\/a>, where we cannot remember what happened while we were drunk. In the worst-case scenario, alcohol poisoning<\/a> can occur, which may be fatal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alcohol does not spare any of our physiological processes, which means it\u2019s also detrimental to our sexual health. Here are some of the negative impacts of binge drinking on your sexual function: <\/p>\n\n\n\n A phenomenon in which one develops short-term erectile dysfunction after drinking too much is known as \u2018whiskey dick\u2019<\/a>. It\u2019s called \u2018whiskey dick\u2019 because whiskey is one of the hard liquors that can impair your erectile capacity. However, you can experience \u2018whiskey dick\u2019 even with lighter cocktails if you drink too many. Alcohol use can lead to ED due to its suppression of nerve signals<\/a> and the increase of angiotensin<\/a>, which constricts blood vessels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Binge drinking can also reduce your testosterone levels, as alcohol damages your testes<\/a> and disrupts your neuroendocrine system<\/a>. Your risk of developing hypogonadism, another term for testosterone deficiency, increases with prolonged and heavy alcohol consumption. Testosterone is critical for achieving erections as it aids in vasodilation<\/a>, the relaxation of your blood vessels. It\u2019s also essential for producing healthy sperm<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Research shows that alcohol consumption is linked to a reduced sex drive<\/a>. This isn\u2019t surprising, as testosterone is crucial for experiencing arousal. Since alcohol depresses your nervous system, it can also diminish the sensations<\/a> you feel. Some men report feeling numb after drinking alcohol. It\u2019s also difficult to feel aroused when you\u2019re fatigued<\/a>, a common side effect of alcohol. Even if you retain some level of sex drive or have no issues with achieving an erection, alcohol can still make it harder to ejaculate<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Testosterone is needed to produce healthy sperm, which is why alcohol can contribute to fertility issues. However, alcohol further decreases your chances of conceiving by raising your estrogen levels and causing your testicles to shrink<\/a>. Research also shows that higher alcohol consumption is correlated with a lower sperm count<\/a>. Even if your sperm count is adequate, alcohol can still cause problems by affecting sperm morphology<\/a>, which may lead to birth complications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The American Heart Association states that even just one glass of alcohol can increase your blood pressure<\/a>, so alcohol will always carry some level of risk. However, you can avoid the more dangerous outcomes by following these tips: <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can still enjoy a drink this holiday season without wrecking your health. Just be mindful of the amount and type of alcohol you consume. However, even with occasional drinking, alcohol can negatively affect your sexual performance. If you\u2019re experiencing prolonged sexual difficulties, book an appointment<\/a> with us. We\u2019ll help determine if alcohol is the culprit and provide treatment tailored just for you! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Are you planning to get wasted this holiday? Hold up! You might want to put a pause on that if you plan to get intimate and don’t want to nerf your sexual performance. This article delves into alcohol and explores its adverse effects on male sexual health. Alcohol is a Drug Alcohol refers to any… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3057,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-erectile-dysfunction"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2977"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2977\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3059,"href":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2977\/revisions\/3059"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3057"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/menshealthclinic.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Why We Drink More During the Holidays <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Binge Drinking and Sexual Health <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Whiskey Dick\u2019 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Testosterone Deficiency <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Low Libido <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Whiskey](\"https:\/\/images.prismic.io\/menshealthclinic1\/Z1qJ0pbqstJ98X1V_2.png?auto=format,compress\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMale Infertility <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reducing the Risks of Alcohol <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Drink Responsibly this Holiday <\/h2>\n\n\n\n