Not only is alcohol something that many people drink on dates and night outs, but it's also a powerful aphrodisiac for both men and women. It relaxes you, clears your head, and gives it a lighter and more fun atmosphere, which is why it's such a shame that it's so very bad for your body, and your penis tells you that the moment you try to have sex while intoxicated.
Alcohol can lead to erectile dysfunction, as well as lowered sex drive and libido in the long term. Not only that, but it can also negatively affect your ability to reach orgasm, and in some cases, it can cause you to have an orgasm that's less intense than usual. So in many ways, the cons outweigh the pros when it comes to drinking and having sex.
But not only does alcohol harm your ability to create and maintain an erection, but it can also make you last less time during sex, harm your liver, and make you more likely to say or do things that you'll regret later on. So it's definitely not worth it to drink copious amounts before sex, no matter how good it may make you feel at the moment.
Whiskey dick is a colloquial term for the temporary erectile dysfunction that some men experience after consuming large amounts of alcohol. The exact causes are not entirely clear, but it is thought to be related to the numbing effects of alcohol on the nervous system. The condition is not permanent and usually goes away once the alcohol has worn off. However, repeated episodes of whiskey dick can lead to permanently reduced erectile function.
Everything that applies to whiskey dick applies to alcohol in general when it comes to sex. Alcohol dulls the senses, including the sense of touch, and can lead to erectile dysfunction. It can also make it difficult to reach orgasm, and orgasms achieved while intoxicated are often less intense than sober ones. There is a lot to say about how alcohol can induce temporary erectile dysfunction, so let's dive in.
What Is Whiskey Dick?
Whiskey dick takes what may sound like a normal lovely romantic evening like having a couple of drinks and settling in for the night with your partner, and turns it into an awful, frustrating experience.
Whiskey dick is the colloquial term for when a man is unable to get or maintain an erection after drinking alcohol. While whiskey dick can affect anyone, it is most common in men with anxiety or who are nervous about sexual performance. Whiskey dick can also be a side effect of certain medications that lower blood pressure, or it can be a symptom of low testosterone levels.
Drinking alcohol can relax the body and mind, but it can also decrease blood flow to the penis, making it more difficult to get and maintain an erection. If you or your partner is struggling with whiskey dick, it may be helpful to cut back on alcohol consumption or to try different types of alcohol that don't have as strong of an effect. There are also some over-the-counter medications that can help with erectile dysfunction, though they shouldn't be used if the cause of your ED is strictly due to alcoholism and not another health condition.
ED can be a frustrating and embarrassing problem, but it's important to remember that it is common and that there are ways to treat it.
How Alcohol Affects Libido
Since alcohol is a depressant, it can have a number of effects on the body, including the libido. Alcohol can cause a decrease in sexual desire and can make it difficult to get or maintain an erection. Alcohol can also affect the ability to orgasm and can cause a decrease in the quality of orgasm. In addition, alcohol can lead to dehydration, which can make the body more susceptible to infections, including sexually transmitted infections. Let's break down each of these effects in a bit more detail:
Alcohol Can Cause a Decrease in Sexual Desire
Alcohol can have a number of negative effects on the body, including a decrease in sexual desire. Alcohol decreases the production of hormones that are essential for sexual function, such as testosterone and estrogen. In addition, alcohol can interfere with the body's ability to absorb these hormones. This can lead to a decrease in sexual desire.
Sexual desire is not only important for achieving an erection, but also for maintaining an erection. If you are not interested in sex, you are less likely to get an erection. In addition, alcohol can make it more difficult to maintain an erection, which is commonly known as whiskey dick.
Alcohol Can Make It Difficult to Get or Maintain an Erection
Alcohol can also affect the ability to get or maintain an erection. Alcohol decreases the production of nitric oxide, which is a chemical that is essential for achieving an erection. Nitric oxide relaxes the blood vessels and allows blood to flow to the penis. Without nitric oxide, you cannot get an erection.
In addition, alcohol can interfere with the nerve signals that are responsible for maintaining an erection. This can lead to difficulty getting or maintaining an erection. Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down the body's nervous system. This can lead to problems with coordination and balance, which can make it difficult to get or maintain an erection.
Alcohol Can Affect the Ability to Orgasm
In addition to affecting the ability to get or maintain an erection, alcohol can also affect the ability to orgasm. Alcohol can interfere with the body's ability to absorb and use the hormones that are necessary for sexual function. This can lead to a decrease in the quality of orgasm. In addition, alcohol can make it more difficult to reach orgasm.
Alcohol Can Lead to Dehydration
Alcohol can lead to dehydration, which can make the body more susceptible to infections, including sexually transmitted infections. Dehydration can cause the body to produce less semen and can make the semen thicker and more difficult to ejaculate. In addition, dehydration can make it more difficult to maintain an erection.
What Type of Alcohol Causes Whiskey Dick?
Whiskey is obviously in the name, but whiskey dick is not exclusive to drinking whiskey. Alcohol on the whole is a depressant and can cause erectile dysfunction.
Depressants work by slowing down the nervous system. This includes the brain, which is responsible for sending signals to the body telling it what to do. When the nervous system is slowed down, it can’t send those signals as effectively. This is why alcohol can cause slurred speech, slowed reflexes, and impotence.
This affects the sexual response in two ways. First, it decreases the number of hormones that are released. Hormones like testosterone are necessary for a healthy sex drive. Second, it interferes with the nervous system’s ability to send signals to the blood vessels. This second effect is what leads to whiskey dick.
The blood vessels in the penis need to be able to expand and fill with blood in order for an erection to occur. Alcohol interferes with that process and can prevent an erection from happening even if the person is aroused.
There are a few other things that can cause erectile dysfunction, including stress, anxiety, and certain medications. But if you’re experiencing problems getting or maintaining an erection after drinking alcohol, it’s probably because of the effects that alcohol has on the nervous system.
Alcohol-induced Sexual Dysfunction Treatments
Alcohol-induced erectile dysfunction (ED) happens on a biological level. There are a couple of different ways that alcohol induces ED, but the most common is inhibiting the production of NO (nitric oxide). The obvious solution for treating this is to stop consuming alcohol.
However, many who have been drinking for long periods of time find it difficult to do so. In these cases, medication may be necessary. There are a couple of different types:
1. Vasodilators
These drugs work by widening blood vessels, which allows for better blood flow and, as a result, better erections. Vasodilator examples are sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra).
These drugs are effective, but they can have side effects like headaches, flushing, upset stomach, and dizziness. In rare cases, they can also cause serious side effects like a heart attack or stroke.
Sildenafil is the most popular vasodilator and is available as a generic drug, so it is relatively affordable. It works by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down cGMP, which is responsible for relaxing muscles and increasing blood flow. There are two other drugs in this class, tadalafil, and vardenafil, which work in a similar way.
If you're suffering from ED, you can get prescription medication without leaving your home or even turning on your camera. Phoenix offers free, online consultations with expert doctors who can prescribe erectile dysfunction medication.
2. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i)
PDE5i drugs work in a similar way to vasodilators by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down cGMP. PDE5i drugs are also effective, but they can have side effects like headache, flushing, and dizziness. They can also cause serious side effects in rare cases, such as heart attack or stroke.
Tadalafil (Cialis) is the most popular PDE5i drug. It is available as a generic drug and is relatively affordable. Cialis works by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down cGMP, which is responsible for relaxing the muscles and increasing blood flow.
3. Testosterone Replacement Therapy
Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a treatment for low testosterone. It can be effective for treating alcohol-induced ED, but it can also have side effects like acne, enlarged breasts, and shrunken testicles. It can also cause serious side effects like heart attack, stroke, and blood clots.
TRT is usually only recommended for men with low testosterone who have no other underlying health conditions.
Are You Sure It's Whiskey Dick?
As humans, sometimes we make rationalizations for things that don’t quite add up, or hard truths that we want so desperately to avoid. When struggling to get an erection, sometimes many men will blame it on alcohol, even if they've only had a small amount. This can lead to long term problems if not addressed, as some men will begin to believe that they truly have a drinking problem, when in reality they may just have some underlying cause for ED
As a general rule of thumb, one or two drinks don't really cause whiskey dick. If you're struggling to get an erection after a night of heavy drinking, however, it's probably best to cut back on the alcohol and see if that makes a difference. There could be other factors at play, such as stress or anxiety, so it's always best to speak with a doctor to rule out any underlying health conditions.
If you'd like to have a free consultation with a board-certified doctor without leaving your home (or even turning on your phone's camera) then try Phoenix. Phoenix utilizes text-based chat software, allowing you to have a quick and discreet conversation with a doctor about your sexual health. Make your appointment for your free consultation here!
This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or other professional advice. Your specific circumstances should be discussed with a healthcare provider. All statements of opinion represent the writers' judgement at the time of publication and are subject to change. Phoenix and its affiliates provide no express or implied endorsements of third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products, or services.