Is alcohol affecting your sex life?

Find out why too much alcohol can have negative effects for your sex-life

Many people mistakenly believe that alcohol is an aphrodisiac. However, too much alcohol can actually have negative effects on your sex-life.¹

How alcohol affects sex

Alcohol reduces your sexual sensitivity.²

For men, alcohol depresses the central nervous system which means it can make it difficult for some men to get, and keep, an erection.³ Drinking may also prevent or delay orgasm.⁴ Drinking heavily over an extended period can even turn a temporary condition into longer term impotence.^5,6

Like men, women may also find it more difficult to have an orgasm, or find they have orgasms that are less intense after drinking alcohol.⁷

If you choose to drink, the UK low risk drinking guidelines advise that it’s safest for both men and women to drink no more than 14 units a week, spread over three or more days with several drink-free days, and no bingeing.

Drinking alcohol can also affect fertility, for both men and women. Find out more.

How alcohol affects a man sexually?

Alcohol can have a mixed impact on a man’s sex life. Heavy or long-term alcohol use can lower testosterone levels, reduce libido, and make it harder to get or maintain an erection.⁽¹⁵⁾ It can also affect energy levels, mood, and confidence, which all play a role in sexual performance and satisfaction.⁽¹⁶⁾

Over time, alcohol-related issues like weight gain, poor sleep, and mental health struggles can make things worse⁽¹⁷⁾. Cutting back on alcohol can improve blood flow, hormone balance, and overall sexual wellbeing sooner than you might think

How alcohol affects a woman sexually?

For women, alcohol can also have both short-term and long-term effects on sexual health. Drinking more heavily can reduce sexual arousal, impair physical response (like natural lubrication), and make it harder to feel present or connected during sex.⁽¹⁸⁾

Long-term alcohol use can disrupt hormone balance, lower libido, and impact body confidence and mental wellbeing, all of which influence a woman’s sexual experience.⁽¹⁹⁾ In some cases, alcohol may also blur boundaries and lead to situations where sex doesn't feel fully safe or consensual.⁽²⁰⁾

Be aware of the risks

Since drinking alcohol reduces inhibitions and impairs judgement, it is a common factor leading to unprotected sex, which, in turn may result in unplanned pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection (STI).^8,9

And while alcohol can have harmful effects for the drinker, there is growing evidence about the harm drinking can cause for other people too.¹⁰ Alcohol is linked to sexual assault - data from the Office for National Statistics show that in more than a third (39%) of rape cases or attempted rape, the victim reported the offender had been drinking.¹¹

Having sex with someone without their consent is always a crime – no matter what the circumstances are.¹² And spiking someone’s drink – whether with additional alcohol or another substance – is a serious offence in its own right, carrying a maximum 10-year prison sentence.¹³

Being drunk makes you more vulnerable in general too, with statistics showing many accidents and injuries are linked to binge drinking.¹⁴

Find out more about drink spiking, and how to stay safe.

Recapture your spark

If you want to stop alcohol affecting your sex life, a simple way to cut down is by having more drink-free days. Start by planning romantic nights that don't involve alcohol, and make sure you stick to the low risk drinking guidelines of not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week for men and women.

Take our free online Drinking Check

Your romantic life doesn’t have to involve alcohol. If you’re ready to drink less, we have lots of tips that could help from how to enjoy drink-free dates, to alcohol-free bars. If you've got into the habit of drinking wine in the evenings, try dinner-only drinking or switching to a non-alcoholic drink instead. Put away the money you would have spent on alcohol, then at the end of the month, use it for something nice you can do together.

Or, if you use an app for dating why not use your smartphone to help you change your relationship with alcohol too? Whether you want to cut down, or go totally alcohol free, the MyDrinkaware app will track your units, calories and sleep quality. Download the app now, for free.

How to cut drinking together with your partner

Further advice and information

Arming yourself with strategies and tips can help you or a loved one take small steps towards big results.

Binge drinking The benefits of drinking less How to reduce the amount you and your partner drink How to cut down on alcohol at home

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References

[1] Palamar, J. J., Acosta, P., Ompad, D. C., & Friedman, S. R. (2018). A Qualitative Investigation Comparing Psychosocial and Physical Sexual Experiences Related to Alcohol and Marijuana Use among Adults. Archives of sexual behavior, 47(3), 757–770. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-016-0782-7

[2] Salari, N., Hasheminezhad, R., Almasi, A., Hemmati, M., Shohaimi, S., Akbari, H., & Mohammadi, M. (2023). The risk of sexual dysfunction associated with alcohol consumption in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Women’s Health, 23, 213. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02400-5

[3] Yadav, B., Dhillon, H. S., Sasidharan, S., & Kaur Dhillon, G. (2024). Alcohol-associated sexual dysfunction: How much is the damage? Medical Journal Armed Forces India, 80(2), 166–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mjafi.2022.05.002

[4] Mandal, S., Godi, S. M., & Spoorthy, M. (n.d.). Sexual Dysfunction and Satisfaction in Males With Alcohol Dependence: A Clinic-Based Study From Central India. Cureus, 13(8), e17492. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.17492

[5] Allen, M. S., & Walter, E. E. (2018). Health-related lifestyle factors and sexual dysfunction: a meta-analysis of population-based research. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 15(4), 458-475.

[6] Singh, I., Patkar, P., Dhamija, S., Chaudhury, S., Javadekar, A., & Saldanha, D. (2023). Sexual dysfunction in men with alcohol dependence. Industrial Psychiatry Journal, 32(Suppl 1), S68. https://doi.org/10.4103/ipj.ipj_228_23

[7] Salari, N., Hasheminezhad, R., Almasi, A., Hemmati, M., Shohaimi, S., Akbari, H., & Mohammadi, M. (2023). The risk of sexual dysfunction associated with alcohol consumption in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Women’s Health, 23, 213. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-023-02400-5

[8] Connor, J. L., Kydd, R. M., & Dickson, N. P. (2015). Alcohol Involvement in Sexual Behaviour and Adverse Sexual Health Outcomes from 26 to 38 Years of Age. PLOS ONE, 10(8), e0135660. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0135660

[9] Cho, H.-S., & Yang, Y. (2023). Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption and Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Adolescents and Young Adults: A Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Public Health, 68, 1605669. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2023.1605669

[10] Public Health England. (2019). The range and magnitude of alcohol's harm to others. [Accessed 24 April 2025]. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5cf8e0eee5274a5f1bbcb52e/Alcohols_harms_to_others-1.pdf

[11] ONS website. Nature of sexual assault by rape or penetration, England and Wales: year ending March 2020. (18 March 2021). [Accessed 14 April 2025]. Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/articles/natureofsexualassaultbyrapeorpenetrationenglandandwales/yearendingmarch2020

[12] Sexual Offences Act, section 4: Causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. [Accessed 14 April 2025]. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/section/4

[13] Sexual Offences Act 2003. C.42. Explanatory notes. Section 61. [Accessed 14 April 2025]. Available at: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/notes/division/5/1/48

[14] Chikritzhs, T., & Livingston, M. (2021). Alcohol and the Risk of Injury. Nutrients, 13(8), 2777.

[15] Yadav, B., Dhillon, H. S., Sasidharan, S., & Kaur Dhillon, G. (2024). Alcohol-associated sexual dysfunction: How much is the damage? Medical Journal Armed Forces India, 80(2), 166–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mjafi.2022.05.002

[16] Sinha, R. (2022). Alcohol’s Negative Emotional Side: The Role of Stress Neurobiology in Alcohol Use Disorder. Alcohol Research : Current Reviews, 42(1), 12. https://doi.org/10.35946/arcr.v42.1.12

[17] Bates, J. N., Pastuszak, A. W., & Khera, M. (2019). Effect of Body Weight on Sexual Function in Men and Women. Current Sexual Health Reports, 11(1), 52–59.

[18] Kling, J. M., Sidhu, K., Rullo, J., Mara, K. C., Frohmader Hilsaca, K. S., Kapoor, E., & Faubion, S. S. (2019). Association Between Alcohol Use and Female Sexual Dysfunction From the Data Registry on Experiences of Aging, Menopause, and Sexuality (DREAMS). Sexual Medicine, 7(2), 162–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esxm.2018.11.009

[19] Ho, A. M.-C., Geske, J. R., Bakalkin, G., Winham, S. J., & Karpyak, V. M. (2019). Correlations between sex-related hormones, alcohol dependence and alcohol craving. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 197, 183–190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.01.029

[20] Marcantonio, T. L., & Willis, M. (2023). Examining substance-involved sexual experiences and consent communication by sexual identity. Psychology & Sexuality, 14(1), 279–293. https://doi.org/10.1080/19419899.2022.2106884

Last Reviewed: 30th April 2025

Next Review due: 30th April 2028

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