What relationship between sex and alcohol?Facts and myths
Drinking alcohol allows some people relax, socialize, and celebrate. Although people commonly mix alcohol and sex, alcohol can have a significant impact on sexual behaviour.
Many people take alcohol to help reduce their inhibitions in the hope that it will reduce anxiety and help them to have better sex.
Although one or two drinks can be beneficial, consuming too much alcohol can change the way a person’s body responds to sexual activity and can result in less satisfying sex.
This article examines the effects of alcohol on sex, tackles some common myths, and provides tips on best sex behaviour.
Effects on females
Drinking alcohol can have a whole lot of effects on female arousal, desire, responsiveness, and sexual attitude.
Research suggests that drinking of alcohol is associated with one feeling more attractive and finding others more attractive, too. Females also reported feeling more desire for sex after consuming alcohol.
However, an older study suggests that although alcohol may increase female arousal, consuming too much can have a negative physiological effect and decrease genital response.
Alcohol can also affect sex because it has a certain effect on the genitals. People who took part in a 2018 study reported that sex lasted longer after drinking alcohol, probably due to a decreased sensation. Females also revealed less vaginal lubrication and difficulty reaching orgasm.
Drinking large quantity of alcohol can also lead females to take more risks when it comes to sex. One study of adults in New Zealand suggests that excessive drinking patterns were associated with more sexual partners, regretted sex, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and abortion.
Effects on males
For males, the effects of drinking alcohol are not very different.
Some say that drinking gives them courage and removes inhibition during sex. In one study, more males than females reported being less eager when it came to choosing who to have sex with.
Like females, males also reported less sensation in the genitals after drinking alcohol, meaning that it may take them a longer time to reach orgasm. Sexual dysfunction seems also to be more common in males who are dependent on alcohol.
Males with alcohol dependence are also more likely to have issues such as erectile dysfunction, unsatisfying orgasm, premature ejaculation, and loss of libido.
Risky sexual practices is more likely when males consume alcohol in excess. For example, one 2016 study suggests that males are more likely to engage in unprotected sex after consuming alcohol. This can transmit STIs and lead to unintended pregnancies.
Some say that drinking gives them courage and removes inhibition during sex. In one study, more males than females reported being less eager when it came to choosing who to have sex with.
Like females, males also reported less sensation in the genitals after drinking alcohol, meaning that it may take them a longer time to reach orgasm. Sexual dysfunction seems also to be more common in males who are dependent on alcohol.
Males with alcohol dependence are also more likely to have issues such as erectile dysfunction, unsatisfying orgasm, premature ejaculation, and loss of libido.
Risky sexual practices is more likely when males consume alcohol in excess. For example, one 2016 study suggests that males are more likely to engage in unprotected sex after consuming alcohol. This can transmit STIs and lead to unintended pregnancies.
The sections below will examine some common myths surrounding sex and alcohol consumption.
Drinking makes other people appear more attractive.
Science has actually proven the “beer stimulating” effect.
In a 2014 study, participants who had consumed alcohol rated images of people more highly for attractiveness than a placebo group did. Interestingly, the ratings increased the most for those people who did not rate as very attractive to begin with.
This effect is not surprising, as alcohol increases socialization, affect judgment.
Alcohol affects females and males differently
When males and females drink alcohol at the same rate, regardless of weight, females,more likely,tend to get more drunk. This is due to physiological differences in body system metabolism, and hormones.
Female bodies generally contain less water and enzymes which break down alcohol, have a higher proportion of body fat, and experience changes in hormones that can affect metabolism.
Drinking can improve sex.
An alcoholic drink or two might help shake off some inhibitions and increase confidence during sex, but being drunk often has a negative impact.
After drinking alcohol, it becomes more difficult to control movements, communicate with a partner, and focus on a partner’s desire.
Feeling nauseous,dizzy, falling asleep, being unable to get an erection, and being unable to reach orgasm can also be problematic during sex while drunk.
If both partners are drunk during sex, it cannot be sexual assault
This is not true. Both partners need to give consent before any sexual activity. Otherwise, it is sexual assault.
In an older study, 2% of college students in the United States reported experiencing alcohol-related sexual assault.
Alcohol consumption impairs judgment and affects a person’s memory for events. This means that it can sometimes be difficult for a person to recall the exact events of an assault.
Consent
Drinking makes other people appear more attractive.
Science has actually proven the “beer stimulating” effect.
In a 2014 study, participants who had consumed alcohol rated images of people more highly for attractiveness than a placebo group did. Interestingly, the ratings increased the most for those people who did not rate as very attractive to begin with.
This effect is not surprising, as alcohol increases socialization, affect judgment.
Alcohol affects females and males differently
When males and females drink alcohol at the same rate, regardless of weight, females,more likely,tend to get more drunk. This is due to physiological differences in body system metabolism, and hormones.
Female bodies generally contain less water and enzymes which break down alcohol, have a higher proportion of body fat, and experience changes in hormones that can affect metabolism.
Drinking can improve sex.
An alcoholic drink or two might help shake off some inhibitions and increase confidence during sex, but being drunk often has a negative impact.
After drinking alcohol, it becomes more difficult to control movements, communicate with a partner, and focus on a partner’s desire.
Feeling nauseous,dizzy, falling asleep, being unable to get an erection, and being unable to reach orgasm can also be problematic during sex while drunk.
If both partners are drunk during sex, it cannot be sexual assault
This is not true. Both partners need to give consent before any sexual activity. Otherwise, it is sexual assault.
In an older study, 2% of college students in the United States reported experiencing alcohol-related sexual assault.
Alcohol consumption impairs judgment and affects a person’s memory for events. This means that it can sometimes be difficult for a person to recall the exact events of an assault.
Consent
Consent is a clear, voluntary agreement to take part in any sexual activity, including kissing.
If a partner has not given his/consent consent, any sexual activity toward them is sexual assault or rape. It is necessary to note that being drunk makes communication harder, and it may be more difficult to establish consent after consuming alcohol in excess.
A person should never assume that another person consents to any sexual activity.
What relationship between sex and alcohol? Facts and myths ,some ways to make sure that both partners are consenting to sexual activity.
Verbal consent
This is the clearest, safest, and least ambiguous form of consent.
To establish verbal consent:
Establish boundaries before engaging in sexual activity and talk frankly about any abuse.
Always seek from a partner if it is OK to try a sexual act before initiating it.
Check in with a partner during sex to make sure that he/she is still OK with it.
Remember that either partner can withdraw his/her consent at any time, including during sex.
Nonverbal consent
There are ways to express willingness to engage in sexual activity without using words.
These include:
nodding for yes or shaking the head for no
giving a thumbs up
pulling your partner closer
actively touching your partner
initiating sexual activity
If a person is unsure whether or not his/her partner is consenting, he/she should be bold to ask. There should not be mere assumption on consent from the fact that the other partner is passive, silent, or not actively resisting.
If a partner has not given his/consent consent, any sexual activity toward them is sexual assault or rape. It is necessary to note that being drunk makes communication harder, and it may be more difficult to establish consent after consuming alcohol in excess.
A person should never assume that another person consents to any sexual activity.
What relationship between sex and alcohol? Facts and myths ,some ways to make sure that both partners are consenting to sexual activity.
Verbal consent
This is the clearest, safest, and least ambiguous form of consent.
To establish verbal consent:
Establish boundaries before engaging in sexual activity and talk frankly about any abuse.
Always seek from a partner if it is OK to try a sexual act before initiating it.
Check in with a partner during sex to make sure that he/she is still OK with it.
Remember that either partner can withdraw his/her consent at any time, including during sex.
Nonverbal consent
There are ways to express willingness to engage in sexual activity without using words.
These include:
nodding for yes or shaking the head for no
giving a thumbs up
pulling your partner closer
actively touching your partner
initiating sexual activity
If a person is unsure whether or not his/her partner is consenting, he/she should be bold to ask. There should not be mere assumption on consent from the fact that the other partner is passive, silent, or not actively resisting.
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