a glass on a wooden surface being filled with whiskey

Erectile Dysfunction
and Alcohol 

Many conditions have an adverse effect on Erectile Dysfunction (ED), and ED is a common problem among men who drink too much alcohol or may have in the past and have now slowed down.  

Problems with ED leave it impossible for many men to achieve or maintain an erection. But now with Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) and other ground-breaking clinical technologies, MansMatters can reverse this decline in many patients.

 

 

 

 

 a pensive man staring off into the distance sitting at a desk with coffee

Are you honest about your drinking habits?

Do you love a drink?

Are you just a social drinker or are you aware that your alcohol consumption is way above the recommended medical guidelines, and may have been that way for years?

Have you found that erectile dysfunction and alcohol often go together?

While alcohol consumption is a common social activity, it is important to recognise that excessive and prolonged alcohol use can have negative effects on various aspects of health.

One such area is sexual health, specifically Erectile Dysfunction.

 

a row of bottles of alcohol behind a bar


 

Alcohol and Erectile Function

While alcohol can initially create a relaxed and uninhibited atmosphere and facilitate a sexual encounter, prolonged and excessive consumption can often lead to sexual problems, including ED. Alcohol acts as a depressant and can interfere with the complex physiological processes involved in achieving and maintaining an erection.

 

 

 

 

an illustration of blood flow through blood vessels

Effects on Blood Flow
and Nervous System

Alcohol abuse has been shown to decrease sexual desire and impair erectile function and cause premature ejaculation. It can damage the nervous system, affecting the transmission of signals necessary for an erection.

Additionally, excessive alcohol intake can result in decreased blood flow to the penis, leading to limp or inadequate erections even when a man is sober (Becker, 2016).

The fact is, you can get an erection through both what you see (sensory) and what you feel (physical). This sends signals to your brain to relax your muscles, enabling a fast flow of blood into your penis and allowing it to become hard and erect.

Alcohol, once consumed, enters your blood stream and dilutes your blood, meaning there is more blood in your system and more blood in your penis – resulting in a fuller and harder erection.

Simple really, especially when you are young. But we all age and over time, especially with excessive drinking, the reverse happens, and alcohol can have a substantial contribution to erectile dysfunction. As a variation on the old saying goes, erectile dysfunction and alcohol go together like a horse and carriage!

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two men in suits conversing with one another

Research and Clinical Studies

Several studies have examined the impact of alcohol on erectile function. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine (1) analysed data from over 1,200 participants and found a significant association between alcohol consumption and ED.

Many studies published in the journal Alcohol: Clinical and Experimental Research (2) have found that heavy alcohol consumption can contribute to long-term sexual dysfunction, including ED. While a study in the IJP also showed that premature ejaculation was suffered by a very large number of men with alcohol problems. (3)

 

 

 

 

 

How to Overcome Alcohol Addiction

If you think you are drinking too much alcohol and find that it is having a negative impact on your sex life, then consider cutting down or even giving up. However, this is not a simple solution as it takes willpower and dedication.

Try to figure out what triggers you to drink more alcohol and slowly try to minimise your drinking habit. It is important to note that sudden alcohol detox can have potential side-effects, such as, fatigue, anxiety, or headaches, so you should be prepared for this. If you can, talk to a healthcare professional and if in difficulty, seek physical and psychological help which will help you to quit.

 

 

Will ED Go Away After Quitting Alcohol Abuse?

Usually, the symptoms of ED start to improve after quitting alcohol, but the time interval varies from patient to patient.

A 2022 research study showed that about 88.5 percent of men experienced better erectile function three months after giving up drinking. But for men that have drunk alcohol excessively for a long time, erectile function may take considerably longer to improve. Also, if a heavy drinker suddenly stops drinking, he may suffer from cardiovascular issues such as hypertension, which can cause problems in achieving a strong erection.

a person holding their hand over a glass, rejecting it being filled with red wine

 

 

 

 an illustration of a shockwave therapy session to help with erectile dysfunction

Advanced medical treatments

We have found that Focused Shockwave Therapy (FSWT) treatment for ED combined with Electro MagneticTransduction Therapy (EMTT), suitable for men with current or historic alcohol problems. This innovative therapy targets the vascular system, stimulating the creation of new blood vessels, regenerating existing ones, and significantly improving nerve and surrounding tissue function.

By enhancing blood flow to the erectile tissues, FSWT enables individuals to achieve natural erections without relying on pills or methods that may interfere with foreplay, offering a potential avenue for individuals seeking non-pharmaceutical solutions.

The erectile dysfunction therapy we undertake at our clinic is performed using the latest Swiss engineered technology shockwave system, the STORZ DUOLITH® SD1 which provides ultra-focused shock wave therapy, superior to radial shockwave used by many other practitioners and which is the most advanced device of its kind available today. 

 

 

 

 

the head of a Extracorporeal Magnetotrandsduction therapy device

Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy

EMTT is also extremely effective in treating ED in patients. This therapy utilises a strong magnetic field to the endothelial cells which are present in the millions of blood vessels of the penis and further Improves blood flow in the penile tissues as well as hastens the recovery process of the damaged cells.

The effectiveness of this therapy procedure gets substantially increased when used in conjunction with shockwave therapy. 

 

 


a man sitting on a Tesla Chair, receiving a Function Magnetic Stimulation treatment

Using Functional Magnetic Stimulation to Treat ED

We also use Functional Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) to treat men who suffer with ED problems. FMS is a non-invasive treatment modality that uses high-intensity electromagnetic fields to stimulate nerves in the pelvic area, which can improve blood flow to the penis.

FMS helps improve penile blood flow and erectile function by addressing important underlying factors that contribute to ED.

 

 

 

 

Erectile Dysfunction and Alcohol FAQs

Is There Any Link Between ED And Alcohol?

Yes. Alcohol abuse is a major risk factor for ED. Studies have shown that when a man consumes too much alcohol then he becomes more vulnerable to suffering from ED than those who do not drink alcohol excessively.

How Common Is ED In Men Who Drink Alcohol Excessively?

ED can become a sexual disorder in men who drink too much and from our experience we can say that we have also encountered a substantial number of patients who suffered from ED in this way.

Can Alcohol Cause ED Permanently?

Usually, ED caused by too much drinking is a temporary condition. However, if a man has a long history of alcohol abuse, then the chances of his penile arteries getting permanently damaged do increase significantly and without enough blood supply to the penis and he may suffer from long term ED.

Does Alcohol Cause Any Other Sexual Dysfunction?

Alcohol abuse can also cause Premature Ejaculation (PE) in men, while also reducing testosterone hormone levels in the body.

Is Alcohol-Induced ED Treatable?

Yes, it is possible to treat alcohol induced ED. If excessive alcohol consumption has caused any vascular issue, then that patient will need to undergo medical treatment to recover from this.

 

 

 

 

 

 020 7205 2711

enquiries@shockwaveclinics.org 

 

 

Knightsbridge

32 Beauchamp Place, 
Knightsbridge, 
SW3 1NU
 

Richmond

11 Upper Ham Rd, 
Richmond Upon Thames, 
TW10 5LD
 

 

 

 

 

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