Alcohol can help men 'perform better' in bedroom

Published on Sunday 25 January 2009 20:59

IT HAS long been thought that a pint too many diminishes a man's performance in the bedroom – now it seems that the reverse is true, with a survey showing a few libations can turn many men into Lotharios.

A study of 1,580 Australians tested the theory that alcohol consumption could cause erectile dysfunction or "brewer's droop."

But the findings revealed that the reverse may be true, with drinkers reporting as much as 30 per cent fewer problems than teetotallers.

Even binge drinkers had lower rates of erectile dysfunction than those who never drank.

Lead study author Dr Kew-Kim Chew, of Western Australia's Keogh Institute for Medical Research, said men who drank within safe guidelines appeared to have the best erectile function.

She said: "We found that, compared to those who have never touched alcohol, many people do benefit from some alcohol, including some who drink outside the guidelines."

Weekend drinkers, high-risk drinkers and those who exceeded guidelines had lower rates of erectile dysfunction than those who drank one day a week or less. Ex-drinkers, however, had the highest risk.

She added: "These findings suggest a favourable association between low-risk drinking and positive erectile function."

The study says there is no reason men with erectile dysfunction who drink moderately should stop or reduce their drinking.