New studies have shown just how much alcohol can impact you in the bedroom, and in more ways than one too.
Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can cause a reduction in sex drive and sexual pleasure in men, as well as increasing their risk of erectile dysfunction.
According to a new study by Indian researchers, despite many people thinking that alcohol increases desire, it actually isn’t great for you long term.
They said: “Prolonged and heavy use can lead to sexual dysfunction.”
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Dr Bhupendra Yadav, who works at 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.
“However, alcohol significantly compromises almost all domains of sexual functioning in addition to erectile dysfunction.”
Out of 32.9 million men in the UK (as of 2019), 16.5 million suffer with erectile dysfunction, with the majority of them being aged between 40-70.
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The NHS spends millions upon millions of pounds on erectile dysfunction treatment every year, spending £18.3 million on prescriptions such as Viagra and Cialis to treat it just last year.
However, despite alcohol consumption playing a role, it could also be the sign of an underlying health condition, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
This latest study, which was published in the Elsevier journal Medical Journal Armed Forces India, looked at how booze affects other areas of bedroom activities too.
78 males took part in the survey all aged between 20 to 50.
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They conducted the research at an alcohol dependency clinic, to see how their alcohol intake affected how they performed sexually.
At this point, we’re kind of wondering exactly what tests took place, and more pressingly, how they carried them out…you getting our drift?
The study found that 77% of the men who took part had sexual functioning issues, pleasure in particular affecting 71%.
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They also found that 61% of the men had lower levels of sexual desire, as well as 48% having issues with orgasms.
44% suffered from erectile dysfunction.
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.”
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Even more interestingly, the researchers found that the severity of the issues was in direct correlation to how much alcohol they had drunk.
Meaning that the more you drink, the more problems you’re going to have.
Sober nights out from here on in!
Featured Image Credit: Getty stock imagesTopics: Food And Drink, Health, Sex and Relationships, Mental Health