Should You Mix Alcohol and Sex? 5 Reasons for Couples to Cut Back on Drinking

Drinking can help many people celebrate, socialize, and relax. Although many people will mix sex and alcohol, many are surprised by how much impact alcohol can have on sexual activity. 

Even though you may have alcohol as a way to lower any inhibitions and reduce anxiety so that it is easier to have sex, consuming too much will have the opposite effect. While a few drinks is usually fine, many take it too far and may suffer the consequences as a result. 

Drinking alcohol may affect the arousal and responsiveness for women when it comes to how well sex goes. Studies show that drinking alcohol can increase arousal in women and can help them to feel more attractive while also finding others more attractive than before. However, there may be decreased genital response when they drink heavily so they will not enjoy the sex as much as before. 

The reason that this can be less enjoyable for women is because alcohol has a numbing effect on the individual. In a 2018 study, women reported that after they drank alcohol, sex would last longer and many had trouble reaching an orgasm. Women who drink large amounts of alcohol may also struggle because they take more risks during sex, which can lead to more regrets when done. 

Men will see some similar effects when they drink and try to have sex. While drinking a few glasses will help to remove inhibitions and may relax people, there can be other problems that will show up as well. Just like with females, men are going to report less sensation to the genitals after they drink alcohol so it took longer to reach an orgasm. Sexual dysfunction is also a common issue for men who are dependent on alcohol. 

Any man who has alcohol dependence can suffer from a wide variety of issues when it comes to sex including unsatisfying orgasm, loss of libido, and erectile dysfunction to name a few. When men drink, they are also more likely to have unprotected sex. This can lead to unintended pregnancies and STIs, which make this small decision into something that haunts you for years to come. 

When we take a look at alcohol and sexual performance, you will quickly notice a bunch of problems will show up. One common issue is that alcohol is able to impair your sexual abilities through erectile dysfunction. This can be an embarrassing thing to happen when you are in the mood and can kill any chances at having a good time with your partner. Keeping the alcohol consumption to a minimum is usually the best way to have a good time. 

While it may seem like a great idea to have something to drink to lower your inhibitions, it can turn into a poor decision for many people. It may lead you to make poor sexual decisions, decreases the amount of sensation that you have in those areas, and can make sex take longer with less satisfaction than before. In some cases, the results of drinking and then having sex can last a long time, including an unintended pregnancy or an STI in one or both partners. 

Avoiding alcohol and finding other ways to relax and enjoy yourself may make more sense for a lot of people. It will help you to be in control of the experience and can actually make it a lot more fun for everyone involved, providing more enjoyment and fewer bad decisions along the way.