So you’re probably here because you’ve heard the term whiskey dick after a rather embarrassing sexual encounter, and now you're asking yourself things like:
Is whiskey dick real?
Why is whiskey dick a thing?
What can I do to prevent whiskey dick?
How can I get rid of whiskey dick?
Whiskey dick or alcohol-induced erectile dysfunction is a temporary condition in which erections are weak or unobtainable due to the amount of alcohol a person has ingested.
That’s right. Studies show that you can actually give yourself erectile dysfunction by drinking too much.
Quick FAQs
Whiskey dick, or alcohol-induced erectile dysfunction, is caused by the overconsumption of alcoholic beverages
No, all alcoholic beverages can cause whiskey dick if you consume too much of them.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do but attempt to sober up once you have it. Try eating and drinking lots of water, but ultimately you’ll probably just have to sleep it off.
Yes, if you’re experiencing whiskey dick-like symptoms but haven’t had much to drink, it could be a sign of a much more serious underlying health issue.
A 2007 study showed that 61% of alcohol-dependent test subjects reported some form of sexual dysfunction, the most common being erectile dysfunction.
So while alcohol works great as a social lubricant, there's a fine line between making socialization easier and wrecking your sexual encounters for the night.
Luckily, there are ways to improve the odds of avoiding it with a few precautions and some self-control.
Why Does Whiskey Dick Happen?
Whiskey dick occurs when too much alcohol is consumed during one sitting.
Alcohol not only causes temporarily reduced brain activity it also impairs most other organ functions and reduces blood flow to the extremities, including the penis.
A combination of slower reaction time, depressed mental function, and lack of blood flow can cause temporary erectile functioning issues.
There's no specific model to show exactly how long alcohol-related ED will last.
For some people, whiskey dick only occurs on the extreme high end of binge drinking.
It can happen when a person is so blackout drunk they’re not able to do anything, much less have sex.
For others, it can only take a few drinks for them to find themselves in the unwanted company of whiskey dick.
It can even vary day-to-day, person-to-person, and as you age, you might find it gets worse.
Because there are so many factors that go into the causes of whiskey dick, it's impossible to say how long it lasts.
Normal erectile functioning and the ability for penetrative sex will return in time, usually once the person begins to sober up.
Can it happen to women?
Whiskey dick can definitely happen to women who have a penis, but for people with vaginas, there is a version for them as well; it’s called whiskey clit.
Studies show that for women, alcohol interferes with blood flow to the vagina and labia, reducing pleasure and causing a lack of lubrication.
If you’ve had a little too much to drink and are suffering from whiskey clit, then check out our Warming Female Arousal gel from Promescent.
It can help get the blood flowing again.
How to prevent Whiskey Dick
Just like hangovers, there are things you can do leading up to drinking that can prevent whiskey dick, or at the very least significantly reduce your chances of getting it.
Let’s take a look at them below.
1. Don’t Drink on an Empty Stomach
This is good advice for everyone who drinks, not just those looking to avoid whiskey dick.
Drinking on an empty stomach means the alcohol gets absorbed faster.
It also means that the liver has to work harder to keep up with the toxic alcohol is being poured into it.
All of these factors combine and create the perfect storm for erectile dysfunction.
Binge-drinking is when multiple drinks are consumed in a very short time, rather than a steady 1-2 drinks per hour.
Binge-drinking is something most teenagers and college students think is a blast, but when you're older, it can seriously harm your body in the long term.
Drinking too much too fast also makes the factors that affect erectile functioning that much worse.
Ultimately, binge drinking every once in a while can be a fun way to spend an evening, but if done too frequently, it can hurt erectile performance and the body.
3. Drink something with a lower alcohol content
If you're socially drinking with friends or on a date, consider drinking something with a lower alcohol content.
Your liver can more quickly filter out the alcohol, meaning you won't be as likely to deal with ED when you need to have a penis that works.
What will be more embarrassing:
Sipping on light beers all night?
Or explaining to the person you like why you can’t get hard for them?
4. Don’t Forget to Drink Lots of Water
The most important thing anyone who drinks can do is constantly hydrate.
Hydration helps the liver process alcohol by diluting it in the stomach. Drinking water also helps with blood flow, which can help prevent whiskey dick to some degree.
Plus, it helps promote better sleep and lessens the hangover effects the next day.
What can I do to get rid of whiskey dick?
Just like with hangovers, there are some things you can do that may help you get over whiskey dick a little faster:
Eat Something - Having a full stomach will help slow alcohol absorption and either prevent or lessen the effect of whiskey dick.
Drink lots of water - Not only does water help promote blood flow, but it will help speed up metabolism and flush out the alcohol quicker.
Get some sleep - Time is the biggest factor. As the body processes the alcohol and heals from a night of drinking, normal bodily function will return.
Do some alcoholic beverages cause it more than others?
Though some might think whiskey is the only culprit behind whiskey dick, it’s really just consuming too much of any type of alcohol in general that causes it.
Drinking more potent drinks and consuming them over a shorter period of time may increase the chances of getting whiskey dick for the night.
So next time you’re at the bar talking to a potential future partner, maybe slow down a little and try ordering something with a little less alcohol content.
If you suffer from ED because of diabetes or atherosclerosis, adding alcohol to the mix can make the effects of the disease that much more pronounced.
ED can be caused by mental health issues like depression and anxiety which can also make it hard to achieve and maintain an erection when the moment arrives.
Performance anxiety can also cause erectile dysfunction, and there's a fine line between alcohol helping and hindering anxiety about sex.
If whiskey dick appears to be a normal occurrence during alcohol consumption and performance anxiety is an issue, alcohol should be avoided when there's a high probability of sex.
Takeaways
Ultimately, too much alcohol is a bad idea for a variety of reasons, particularly binge drinking.
It causes system-wide depression and damage, and there are times when it can make it impossible to achieve an erection.
Drinking is okay in moderation and does help act as an ice breaker when talking to someone new, but with too much alcohol, talking might be the only thing you get to do.
Fortunately, whiskey dick is a temporary condition that can be avoided by controlling alcohol intake.
If you or your partner are suffering from alcohol-related ED, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
Dr. Jed Kaminetsky M.D. is an American Board Certified Urologist and earned his Medical Degree at New York University. In his tenure he became a member of the American Urological Association and the American College of Surgeons. Dr. Kaminetsky pioneered the minimally invasive Rezum BPH treatment and is an expert in male and female dysfunction.
Sources:
Absorption Pharmaceuticals LLC (Promescent) has strict informational citing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic or research institutions, medical associations, and medical experts. We attempt to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references and only citing trustworthy sources. Each article is reviewed, written, and updated by Medical Professionals or authoritative Experts in a specific, related field of practice. You can find out more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Arackal, B. S., & Benegal, V. (2007). Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in male subjects with alcohol dependence. Indian journal of psychiatry, 49(2), 109–112. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.33257Accessed May 24, 2022.
Arackal, B. S., & Benegal, V. (2007). Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in male subjects with alcohol dependence. Indian journal of psychiatry, 49(2), 109–112. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.33257. Accessed May 24, 2022.
Puddey, I. B., Zilkens, R. R., Croft, K. D., & Beilin, L. J. (2001). Alcohol and endothelial function: a brief review. Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology, 28(12), 1020–1024. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1681.2001.03572.x. Accessed May 24, 2022.
Binge Drinking May Quickly Lead to Liver Damage. (2017, January 19). Binge Drinking May Quickly Lead to Liver Damage | UC San Francisco. https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2017/01/405561/binge-drinking-may-quickly-lead-liver-damage. Accessed May 24, 2022.
Arackal, B. S., & Benegal, V. (2007). Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in male subjects with alcohol dependence. Indian journal of psychiatry, 49(2), 109–112. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.33257. Accessed May 24, 2022.
Acute alcohol intoxication and female orgasmic response. (2022). Journal of Sex Research. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224498209551130. Accessed May 24, 2022.
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
