Sex and alcohol

Written by Dr David Delvin, GP and family planning specialist


Alcohol affects people's sex lives in many ways. We can divide its effects into 'bad' and 'good.'

Good effects of alcohol
Small amounts of alcohol oil the social wheels and reduce shyness – thereby making it easier for people to meet up.

Similarly, a little wine or a cocktail will often make a person feel romantic – or perhaps less 'uptight' about sex.

Also, a very small 'dose' of alcohol can extend the time which a nervous young man takes before he climaxes – thus combating any slight tendency to come too soon or experience premature ejaculation .

Bad effects of alcohol
Unfortunately, the list of 'bad' effects of alcohol is much longer! Here they are:

Alcohol makes people far more likely to have unwise sex with the wrong person – and therefore to get pregnant, to catch infections, and to embark on affairs that cause marriage break-ups. In fact, booze is the main reason why in 2005, there is a massive demand for the 'morning-after pill' on Sunday and Monday mornings.

Alcohol makes people fuddled, so that they don't take proper contraceptive precautions.

Alcohol is bad for the unborn baby – so it should only be used very sparingly in pregnancy. At present (2005) we don't know whether alcohol taken on the night of conception could be bad for the baby.

Alcohol is a major cause of impotence (erectile dysfunction). A lot of younger males don't realise this, because they think that booze boosts 'horniness'. But as Shakespeare says in the Scottish play: 'It increases the desire, but it takes away the performance.'

A lot of men who are hooked on alcohol develop permanent 'Brewer's droop' – and often loss of interest in sex as well.

We do not yet know if excessive alcohol use can cause female sexual problems, but on the basis of probabilities it does seem likely that some cases of diminished libido are due to excessive alcohol consumption.

If you have problems with excessive alcohol use or think you may be suffering from alcoholism, we suggest you contact Alcoholics Anonymous.