Heavy drinking can disrupt sexual arousal and impair the muscle contractions necessary for reaching orgasm. Beyond that, chronic alcohol consumption may lead to a range of sexual health issues, including erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and a decreased libido.
Do you often drink before sex to enhance arousal, relieve sexual tension, or get to orgasm faster?
Recent reports from The New York Times suggest that if a doctor advises someone with sexual concerns to “have some wine before sex,” it might signal a misunderstanding of how alcohol truly affects sexual function.
In the article, Catalina Lawsin, a clinical psychologist specializing in sexuality, explained that many people consider alcohol a key component of romantic encounters, believing that drinking before sex can enhance sexual performance and pleasure. However, Dr. Rosin emphasized that the relationship between alcohol and sex is much more complicated than most people realize.
Dr. Lauren Streicher, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, also pointed out the lack of solid research on alcohol’s impact on sexual health. She explained that drawing definitive conclusions about alcohol and sex is challenging. Dr. Streicher noted that while moderate alcohol consumption might enhance sexual arousal and reduce inhibitions, excessive drinking can actually dampen sexual response and interfere with orgasm. This happens because alcohol activates certain processes in the brain: it releases dopamine (a chemical linked to pleasure and reward) while simultaneously raising levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that suppresses nerve activity. As a result, alcohol can relax inhibitions but also reduce sexual responsiveness.
Dr. Laurie Mintz, an emeritus professor of psychology at the University of Florida, further explained that GABA can reduce inhibitions around sexual behavior, leading people to feel more aroused. However, she cautioned that GABA is actually a substance that depresses the central nervous system.
Building on this, Lawsin stated that alcohol interferes with the brain’s natural process of sexual arousal and can disrupt the muscle contractions needed for orgasm. She added that while alcohol might help relieve sexual tension initially, excessive consumption can actually block the intense pleasure and satisfying orgasm that people are seeking.
Sex experts also warn that chronic alcohol use is linked to erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation in men, while in women, it can cause sexual dysfunctions like delayed sexual response, decreased libido, and even anorgasmia (the inability to reach orgasm).