Doctor breaks down impact just 'one drink' can have on men's sexual performance

With a lot of New Year festivities set to include alcohol, a doctor has explained how just one boozy beverage might impact men between the sheets.

The clock is counting down on 2025, and for a lot of adults, that means taking shots in bars, cracking open a bottle of wine with friends or popping the champagne at midnight.

Some people might also be hoping to kick off the new year with some fun in the bedroom, but Dr Jeevan Fernando, a former NHS doctor and the official Dry January Doctor for 2026, has explained how even one drink might impact sexual performance for men.

Speaking to UNILAD, Dr Fernando began by explaining that the impacts of alcohol might be more noticeable for men in comparison to women simply because of the different bodily functions that need to be working for a successful sex life.

Alcohol can impact men more noticeably than women in the bedroom (Getty Stock Photo)

He said: "Initiating and maintaining erections for men is an important aspect of sex with a partner. Alcohol directly impacts nitric oxide and testosterone, which damages men’s libido, blood flow and ability to maintain erectile strength. Given that men have external sexual organs, any small physiological changes can be noticeable to them and their partner.

"Alcohol does impair women’s sexual function, but not in such physically apparent ways."

When it comes to the amount of alcohol you've consumed, Fernando noted that the effects can 'differ wildly depending on many factors, including [the drink's] strength, the person’s metabolism and whether they have eaten that day, and other factors such as whether they smoke and their diet more generally'.

So, there might be some people who feel less of an impact after just one drink, but many people will certainly experience some changes.

Fernando said: "Even one drink can have a short-term negative impact on our sexual performance. Alcohol can impair nerve sensitivity and blood flow, which can make erections more difficult to initiate and maintain.

"Alcohol also drops our coordination and slows brain signalling, which harms our ability to synchronize with our partner in the moment."

Alcohol can make erections difficult to maintain (Getty Stock Photo)

"Alcohol also impairs decision-making and can lead to more reckless behavior," the doctor continued. "Once we start drinking alcohol, it can make it more difficult to stop at one. The more you drink, the worse your sexual choices and performance will be."

But while your glass of fizz on New Year's Eve might result in some issues when you fall into bed, the good news is that the benefits of cutting alcohol are evident almost immediately.

Doctor Fernando explained that anyone who gives up drinking, for example to take part in Dry January, will notice an improvement in sleep quality and energy levels as the remaining alcohol is eliminated from the body.

"If you usually have a high alcohol intake, you may experience a temporary drop in mood as your body is replenishing dopamine that it regularly gets from alcohol. This will resolve in the first few days," he said.

"In the first few weeks, people report a lifting of their 'brain fog' and an improved ability to concentrate. Within this time, nitric oxide activity will be restored, and testosterone levels will normalize."