According to doctor Tra Anh Duy, a specialist in II at Men's Health Center, alcohol can make men feel more confident and excited by reducing inhibitions, but this feeling does not fully reflect actual physiological capabilities.
After drinking, a person may become less shy, more open, and less worried about their performance. For individuals with existing performance anxiety, this newfound comfort can easily be interpreted as "I feel more potent when I drink." However, confidence does not equate to a better physiological response.
Experimental studies show that alcohol, especially when consumed in high doses, can affect erectile response and various indicators of physiological arousal. Drinkers may become more proactive and daring, yet they might struggle to achieve or maintain the desired erection.
"This is precisely the gap between 'I feel very aroused' and 'is my body actually functioning well?'" doctor Duy said.
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Illustrative image created by AI. |
According to doctor Duy, alcohol not only affects performance but also impairs self-control and the accurate assessment of one's own state. Therefore, drinkers may not recognize the full extent of alcohol's impact on them. This partly explains why a man might recall feeling "very potent" the previous night, while his partner's experience may not have been entirely similar.
The belief that alcohol enhances bedroom prowess is further reinforced by drinking culture. In men's conversations, drinking capacity is sometimes associated with strength and virility, and sexual topics are often drawn into the same frame of reference. A few instances where alcohol reduced shyness and led to a positive sexual experience can create a psychological link for men: "to feel confident, I need to drink a little."
Doctor Duy warns that when alcohol becomes a mandatory "prop" before each sexual encounter, a man may only be temporarily masking anxiety rather than addressing its underlying cause. Frequent and prolonged alcohol use is also linked to decreased libido, reduced pleasure, and various forms of sexual dysfunction.
If alcohol is needed to feel confident enough for intimacy, men should explore underlying reasons such as performance anxiety, stress, conflicts with their partner, or erectile dysfunction. Open communication about sex and seeking medical consultation for any unusual signs will be more beneficial than searching for an "alcohol boost." Alcohol might make a man less afraid of failure, but it does not mean his body is less likely to fail.
Le Phuong
