Sexual performance alcohol

Another example of the deceptive nature of alcohol is its sexual effect. Many people who drink to enhance sex claim that alcohol increases desire, removes inhibitions, and promotes relaxation, In men, however, its depression of the nervous system can prevent erection and drastically interfere with sexual performance. Writers as far back as Shakespeare have noted this property... 

Alcohol and sexual response in men and women has been a favorite subject of writers for thousands of years. Much of the writing has been like Shakespeare s comments, based on informal personal observations. Witli regard to male sexual re.sponse, the folklore leads to dose-dependent conclusions. Alcohol has been thought to be an aphrodisiac in men at lower doses but an impediment to sexual performance at higher doses. An example is a quote of the Greek poet Euenas, from the 5th century b.c. (in Abel, 1985) ... 

F Pharmacologically, alcohol impairs sexual performance, particularly when BACs reach 0.05% and higher. However, people may perceive that the use of alcohol is associated with greater sexual arousal and better sexual performance. 

The manufacturers say that interaction studies in subjects given apomorphine (for erectile dysfunction) found that alcohol increased the incidence and extent of hypotension (one of the adverse effects of apomorphine). They also point out that alcohol can diminish sexual performance. ... 

Alcohol consumption causes peripheral vasodilatation the person feels warm, body heat is slowly lost, and an overdose can cause rapid hypothermia. An acute dose of 3 to 4 units will increase blood pressure. It will cause irritation to gastric mucosae followed by erosion that heals after 3 to 4 weeks. At least 60% of chronic gastritis is reported with chronic alcoholics. Alcohol intake also affects sexual function. William Shakespeare wrote that alcohol provides the desire but takes away the performance. Alcohol can be source of energy but cannot be used as food. 

Effects on sexual function. Nothing really new has been said since William Shakespeare wrote that alcohol provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance. Performance in other forms of athletics is also impaired. Prolonged substantial consumption lowers plasma testosterone concentration at least partly as a result of hepatic enzyme induction ... 

For the last 500 years Shakespeare probably has been the author most frequently cited on the acute effects of alcohol on human sexual response. The specific reference is from Macbeth, Act 2, Scene 2 It [alcohol] provokes and unprovokes it provokes the desire, but it takes away from the performance. It turns out that the results of experimental studies are in part consistent with Shakespeare s observations. 

An initial evaluation of male infertility should include a detailed history and physical examination with special emphasis on the reproductive organs for evidence of proper androgenization. The history must include prescribed medications, recreational and performance-enhancing drug and alcohol use, systemic illnesses, and potential toxin exposure. A sexual history should include sexual technique and frequency of intercourse. Issues of potency must be distinguished from those of infertility or subfertiHty. 

About one-third of patients initially present with psychiatric abnormalities. Symptoms can inclnde reduced performance in school or at work, depression, very labile mood, sexual exhibitionism, and frank psychosis. Frequently, adolescents with problems in school or work are referred for psychological counseling and psychotherapy. Among our patients two were hospitalized in psychiatric institutions for psychosis, one having conunitted several suicide attempts and two for severe alcohol abuse before the diagnosis of Wilson disease was made. The delay in diagnosis in one case was 12 years. 

Studies show that alcohol-related automobile accidents are a leading cause of teen deaths. Drownings, snicides, and murders involving teens have also been positively associated with alcohol use. Teens who use alcohol become sexually active at an earlier age than non-drinking teens. Unprotected sex, with its associated risks, is also more common among drinking teens. Poor academic performance and problems with social conduct have also been shown to correlate with alcohol nse. 

Sexual difficulties—It is a popular notion that alcohol acts as a sexual stimulant. While it may assist in overcoming guilt and lack of self-confidence, promote a feeling of sexiness or amorousness, and release inhibitions, actual performance is impaired. Chronic heavy use of alcohol can result in sexual frigidity or impotency. Generally, the disturbance in sexual function disappears with abstinence from alcohol over a period of several months or more. 

Sexual desire is also increased by alcohol, with both the drinker and their romantic target appearing to be more attractive in the drinker s mind. However, this increase in libido can be frustrated as alcohol tends to diminish penile erection, probably due to vasodilatation. In the words of Shakespeare s porter in MacBeth Drink provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance, therefore much drink may be said to be an equivocator with lechery, (Act 2, Scene 3, Lines 30-32). 

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