Can Moderate Alcohol Consumption Help Stave Off Erectile Dysfunction?

Thursday, January 22 2009

January 27, 2009

Finding one doctor-recommended reason to lift the bottle might be impossible. Many men don't need much motivation to drink anyway. 

However, when the occasional study is released that seems to indicate drinking may be a good thing, it's just a little reassurance for those of us who have been known to belly up to the occasional bar...

A study was performed in Australia that found a "moderate negative association" between alcohol consumption and erectile dysfunction (ED).

A total of 1,500 Australian men participated in a reply-paid survey questionnaire about erectile dysfunction. Eighty seven percent of the participants were drinkers and 20 percent classified themselves as binge drinkers. The 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) was used to assess erectile function.

Compared with never-drinkers, the age-adjusted odds of ED were lower among current, weekend, and binge drinkers and higher among ex-drinkers. Among current drinkers, the odds were lowest for consumption within the NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) guidelines of between 1 and 20 standard drinks a week.

The researchers concluded that the "Study certainly provides no justification for advising men with ED whose drinking habits are consistent with NHMRC guidelines that they should cease or reduce their consumption of alcohol."

You can review an abstract of the study online.

Brian Bujdos