Alcoholism and ED

Alcoholism in men will most likely cause sexual problems getting and sustaining an erection. This problem can present itself even when the man is sober. However, next to this physical impediment, alcoholism is also bound to cause sexual problems within the couple. Alcoholism can negatively affect libido and cause erection difficulties. Alcoholism needs to be understood psychically, but also mentally.

Physically, alcoholism needs to be understood as the toxic effect of excessive alcohol consumption over a short or long period on different body parts like the liver, the brain and the overall nervous system. And there are also social and psychological consequences produced by alcoholism that need to be considered as well. Some alcoholics are more aware of the disruption occurring to their personal lives and of those close around them. In a relationship, if either part is an alcoholic, sexual difficulties will certainly be one of the consequent problems.

Long term alcoholism is accompanied by several hormone problems, including a drop in testosterone. This testosterone low significantly affects a man’s libido. This whole chain of events can eventually lead to an ED problem. Even when most alcoholic men could respond to an ED treatment like generic Viagra or Cialis, the problems an alcoholic has, transcend the virtues of a pill. Because it is an external factor that is causing the problem, erectile dysfunction happens to be self-inflicted and permanent damage could result from substance abuse.

Besides these physiological situations related to alcohol abuse, it is unlikely that a partner enjoys and finds attractive having sex with an inebriated partner. This alone in combination with the other problems an alcoholic partner can bring into the relationship (aggressive behavior, irresponsible acts, lack of dependability, etc.) add up for alcoholism to be an undesirable situation in a couple.

In addition to the direct effects of excessive alcohol intake, alcoholics also experience important psychiatric conditions, led by depression. The contrary case also takes place; depressed people occasionally turn to alcohol to relieve themselves from the symptoms of depression. This sense of relief, if any, lasts only for a short period and solves nothing. It actually turns the patient into an alcoholic, because the habit easily sticks.

Even when traditional ED treatments and surgically inserted prosthetics are likely to work for an alcoholic man to obtain an erection, the damage to the relationship will be so deep the presence of erectile function will not change much. In face of a case of acknowledgement, in which an alcoholic realizes he has a problem and wishes to fix it, couples therapy could turn an essential tool to get their relationship back and start fresh. Conviction and will power are key in a recovering couple that suffered the effects of alcoholism.

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