Blog

The Impact of Alcohol on Men’s Sexual Health and Testosterone

Alcohol can have an impact on men's testosterone leaving them feeling low.We cannot overstate the effects of alcohol
on your bodily maintenance and functions. In the short-term, alcohol can impair judgment and motor abilities,
such as coordination. This immediate impact extends to the next day through a hangover; the feelings of
headaches, nausea, and fatigue are your body’s way of telling you not to poison yourself.

However, worse than these short-term consequences are the health risks that come later. In this post, we
focus on the impact of long-term, heavy alcohol use on your body and its ability to produce adequate levels of
testosterone. Keep reading to learn about
men’s sexual health.

Most Important Facts to Know About Testosterone

Before we go into how alcohol interacts with your body’s testosterone, let’s first take a quick
look at the function of testosterone.

Testosterone is a hormone present in both men and women but occurs in a much higher concentration in men.
This hormone contributes primarily to bone and muscle growth and contributes to sex drive. As with most
hormones, elevated and dampened levels will have physical and emotional impacts.

Low levels of testosterone in men may cause:

  • Decreased sex drive
  • A loss of lean muscle
  • Low energy
  • Irritability
  • Weight gain
  • Depression
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Body hair loss

There are therapeutic options for men with low levels of testosterone.

Does Alcohol Reduce Testosterone in Men?

The short answer is yes, alcohol use decreases the amount of testosterone in men. The more detailed
explanation is that it is complicated. With heavier drinking over a more extended period, the effects of
alcohol use on male testosterone increases.

  • While you drink alcohol, your body metabolizes ethanol a compound found in alcohol. Ethanol metabolism
    lowers the amount of NAD+, a coenzyme responsible for testosterone production in the liver and testes.
  • Continued, heavy consumption of alcohol can lead to elevated levels of the female sex hormone estrogen,
    testosterone converted to estrogen, and increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which can destroy
    testosterone.
  • Chronic, excessive drinking can disrupt your sleep schedule, which decreases your body’s ability to
    produce testosterone.

Take Away for Drinking and Testosterone

Heavy, chronic drinking will decrease testosterone levels, impacting men’s sexual health. One or two
drinks per day should be acceptable, but if your consumption increases, you could experience adverse hormonal
effects.

If you believe alcohol may be impacting your sex drive or testosterone levels, call the team at Prime Men’s
Medical Center now to schedule an appointment to have a consultation with their experienced and specially
trained medical staff. We are an industry leader for erectile dysfunction, providing ED therapy, hormone
therapy, and much more.

Acupuncture for Erectile Dysfunction: 4 Benefits

While not at the top of many men’s lists for the leading ED treatment, acupuncture therapy is a well-documented method to help treat aspects of erectile dysfunction in conjunction with other medical therapies. For those unfamiliar, acupuncture treatment is a traditional Chinese medicine that…

Viagra vs Sildenafil: What’s The Difference?

It’s easy to see why anyone new to erectile dysfunction medication gets confused. There are many options available that are set at different price points. However, two of the most popular treatments recommended by doctors are Viagra and sildenafil. When faced with either of…

Does Honey Make You Last Longer?

Honey has historically been associated with sex, eroticism, and love. For centuries, this sticky, golden substance has often been used as a symbol of prosperity and fertility—regardless of one’s racial background or religious sect. Needless to say, its influences on fertility have also eventually…

How Men Can Fix Low Testosterone Caused By Covid-19

While the strongest wave of COVID-19 has come to pass, its effects continue to linger and afflict our society in the present time. Besides the symptomatic manifestations during the initial battle with the infection, COVID-19 has also been proven to cause long-term effects that…

How Psychiatric Disorders Impact Men’s Sexual Health

The effect of our mental health doesn’t only stay confined in our minds—it also shapes and influences our physical health. The mind-body connection is inextricably linked, and an illness on one side can cause the other side to have its own set of shortcomings.…

Does Metformin Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a condition that can, mildly put, zap a man’s desire for sex. While many men suffer from loss of erectile function because of underlying health problems like heart disease and atherosclerosis, in some instances, it could be your prescription pills that…

What is Sexual Chemistry?

Have you ever felt an electrifying spark when you see someone attractive? Do you find yourself irresistibly drawn to the idea of getting physically intimate with them? And, most importantly, do you find it the case that they too exhibit signs of sexual attraction…

How Much Sildenafil Is Too Much?

Sildenafil citrate—or Viagra, as it’s more commonly called—is an erectile dysfunction (ED) pill meant to strengthen erections. This ED medication is a common prescription pill. That said, doctors often prescribe different Sildenafil doses per person depending on the severity of the ED as well…

4 Sexual Side Effects of Zoloft in Men

The vast majority of men are no strangers to taking medication—the pill-shaped, consumable capsules that treat a slew of health conditions afflicting us. While these medications work for the most part, many of them carry unintended risks in the form of potential side effects.…

How Men with Diabetes Can Overcome Erectile Dysfunction

Living with diabetes exposes men to several potential complications including erectile dysfunction (ED). But that doesn’t mean they can’t have a healthy sex life. There are plenty of ways to remedy sexual dysfunction, especially for people that properly manage their high blood sugar. In…

How to Improve Men’s Sexual Health After Cancer

Cancer and cancer treatments can take a toll on a man’s body. Even when you have recovered from active cancer, the side effects of this condition—and its treatments—can leave behind a devastating health aftermath in its wake. Among these changes is your sexual health…

Can Prostate Cancer Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

Let’s state some truths: the grass is green, the sky is blue, and prostate cancer is incredibly common. Across Europe, prostate cancer accounts for an astonishing 23% of all male cancer diagnoses and 10% of male cancer deaths. The numbers aren’t too far apart…

Testosterone Test: Levels, How It’s Done & Results

Ever questioned why some men have an incredibly lush beard or a deeper, more resonant voice? The answer doesn’t solely lie in one’s genetics—it’s also affected by the male sex hormone testosterone. Testosterone—a hormone produced in a man’s testes by the Leydig cells—is responsible…

Low Testosterone: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Does your mood swing in a matter of seconds? Can’t remember where you left your keys or the file your boss repeatedly reminded you to bring? Too tired to get out of bed sometimes? If these are a few scenarios you face daily, then…

How to Treat Peyronie’s Disease (5 Methods)

No organ is quite like the penis. It’s highly sensitive and complex—and can be affected by a long list of conditions, including Peyronie’s disease. Peyronie’s disease is marked by the buildup of scar tissue in the erectile tissues, leading to painful and curved erections…
Proudly Featured On
ESPN Radio logo
ABC News logo
Fox News Radio logo
CBS Sports Radio logo
NBC Sports Radio logo