DRINKING too much can hamper your sex life in more ways than one, a study shows.
Excessive alcohol reduced sexual pleasure and desire in men, as well as increasing their risk of erectile dysfunction, Indian researchers found.
Despite alcohol often being seen as an aphrodisiac, “prolonged and heavy use can lead to sexual dysfunction”, they said.
Dr Bhupendra Yadav, of 5 Air Force Hospital in Jorhat, said: “Alcohol has been related to sexuality since time immemorial.
“It may contribute to the initiation of sexual activity by subduing inhibitions and relieving anxiety.
“Hower, alcohol significantly compromises almost all domains of sexual functioning in addition to erectile dysfunction.”
Around 16.5million men in Britain are affected by erectile dysfunction, with half of those aged 40 to 70 blighted by it.
The NHS last year spent £18.3million on prescriptions medications — including Viagra and Cialis — to treat it.
It can be a symptom of underlying conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.
Previous research has shown drinking too much alcohol can increase men’s risk of having the issue.
The latest study, published in the Elsevier journal Medical Journal Armed Forces India, looked at how booze affects other areas of sex as well.
Researchers surveyed 78 male patients aged 20 to 50 at an alcohol dependence clinic to see how their drinking impacted sexual function.
Around 77 per cent of the men had sexual issues, with problems with pleasure affecting 71 per cent.
Some 61 per cent had low levels of sexual desire, 59 per cent had low arousal, 48 per cent had issues with orgasm and 44 per cent had erectile dysfunction.
Researchers found the severity of their issues was directly proportional to their level of alcohol dependence.
Nearly all the men with severe alcohol dependence suffered all five problems.
Dr Yadav said: “The entire spectrum of sexual functioning was found to be significantly affected.
“These findings are in contrast to previous studies which mentioned erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation as the most common.”
The study shows excessive alcohol can impact:
