How alcohol can cause erectile dysfunction

January 30, 2017

Erectile dysfunction can be caused by both psychological and physical factors
But drinking too much can also be blame as it stops the body’s usual functions
Usually, blood vessels open up to make sure that blood can reach the penis
These then shut to allow a man to keep hold of blood and maintain an erection
However, too much alcohol prevents the body from completing the latter

Stephen Matthews For Mailonline

Published:
08:49 EST, 30 January 2017

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Updated:
11:01 EST, 30 January 2017

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Erectile dysfunction. It’s one of the most traumatic experiences for a man.

Not only can it shatter his self-confidence, but it can also contribute to the breakdown of a relationship.

Despite there being an array of factors, a few too many trips down the local pub could also be to blame.

Here, Dr Adam Simon, chief medical officer at Push Doctor, explains exactly how alcohol affects the penis.

Despite there being an array of factors, a few too many trips down the local pub could also be to blame for erectile dysfunction

The embarrassing condition is caused by the contraction of blood vessels, he explained.

Usually, they open up to allow blood to reach the penis before shutting to prevent it from leaving.

But too much alcohol prevents the body from completing the latter, meaning an erection is unable to be maintained.

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But because alcohol affects everyone differently, there is no set limit to prevent it from ever happening, he told the Daily Express.

He added: ‘However, do remember that there are many reasons why we’re advised not to drink more than 14 units a week.

‘Drinking more than this amount – which roughly equates to around six glasses of wine or six pints of beer – can cause sex and fertility issues for both men and women.’

The embarrassing condition is caused by the contraction of blood vessels – which can happen through excessive alcohol consumption

It is known that alcohol can be detrimental to sperm levels and also make them less effective.

Danish researchers found in 2014 that drinking just five units of alcohol every week could reduce the quality of a man’s sperm.

And the more alcohol consumed, the weaker the quality of the sperm, their study found.

WHAT IS ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION?

Erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is the inability to get and maintain an erection.

It is a very common condition, particularly in older men.

Half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will have it to some degree, experts suggest.

Erectile dysfunction can have a range of causes, both physical (such as the narrowing blood vessels) and psychological (depression).

It is primarily treated by tackling the cause of the problem, whether this is physical or psychological.

Source: NHS Choices

In the long term, excessive alcohol consumption also reduces testosterone levels, leading to a loss of libido and is toxic to the testes.

This harms sperm while they’re being produced and can stop them reaching the egg, experts claim.

But this can be remedied by men reducing the amount that they drink, according to Dr Patrick O’Brien, from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Also known as impotence, erectile dysfunction is the inability to get and maintain an erection, the NHS says.

It is estimated that half of all men between the ages of 40 and 70 will experience the common condition at some point in their life.

Treatment is geared towards medication such as Viagra. This is used to manage it in the majority of cases.

However, statins and drugs to control blood pressure are both frequently given to help men overcome the condition.