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This Is What Alcohol Really Does to Erections

February 07, 2026

Alcohol is called liquid courage for a reason – it can help you feel more confident and relaxed. But when it comes to sex, alcohol doesn’t always deliver the boost you expect.

If you’ve ever had difficulty in the bedroom after a night of drinking, you’re not alone. Here’s why alcohol and erections don’t mix.

1. It all comes down to blood flow

An erection isn’t just about desire in the moment — it’s a finely tuned process between your brain, hormones and blood vessels.

“Sexual stimulation triggers blood flow into the penis,” says Brittany Berk, MD, urologic surgeon with Tallwood Men’s Health. “The arteries open up, blood fills the erectile tissue, and the veins that normally let blood drain out are compressed to keep it there.”

Alcohol interrupts that process. It slows down the brain’s signals and interferes with circulation.

Translation? You might have trouble getting hard, staying hard, or both.

> Related: 6 Ways Your Doctor Can Treat Erectile Dysfunction

2. Sometimes it’s just situational

If it only happens after drinking, erectile dysfunction probably isn’t the issue.

“Alcohol-related erection issues are generally situational. That’s different from chronic erectile dysfunction,” says Dr. Berk.

But here’s the thing: if the problem keeps happening — even when you’re sober — it could point to something bigger, like cardiovascular disease or diabetes. That’s when it’s time to bring it up with your doctor.

> Related: Can Honey Packets Increase Sexual Performance?

3. Hormones get dragged into it

Alcohol doesn’t only mess with your blood vessels. Hormones can take a hit, too.

“Chronic heavy drinking can lower testosterone, which may reduce libido over time,” says Dr. Berk. “In the short term, alcohol usually decreases performance, not desire. So you may feel aroused, but still struggle physically.”

That mismatch between desire and performance can be a surefire way to kill the mood.

4. One night out might not hurt you — but years of it could

One beer probably isn’t going to ruin your night. The real trouble comes with heavier or long-term drinking.

“Occasional drinking isn’t likely to cause lasting problems,” says Dr. Berk. “But chronic alcohol use damages blood vessels and nerves, and that can increase the risk of persistent erectile dysfunction.”

So while a few cocktails might mean situational issues now, years of heavy drinking could set the stage for ongoing ED.

> Related: 4 Natural Treatments for Erectile Dysfunction

Cutting back can help — quickly

Here’s the good news: many men see improvement when they cut back on drinking. And sometimes, it doesn’t take long.

“Reducing alcohol intake can improve erection quality, often within weeks,” says Dr. Berk. “As blood flow and hormone levels stabilize, things usually get easier in the bedroom.”

Even if the effects of long-term heavy drinking take longer to reverse, most men still notice a difference once they dial back the alcohol.

So the next time you’re pouring another drink, keep this in mind: what feels like a confidence boost in the moment may not pay off when you need it to.