A 30-year-old male presents with difficulty achieving an erection. He admits to drinking alcohol heavily on most nights. How could his lifestyle be contributing to his ED?
Chronic heavy alcohol use is a common cause of erectile dysfunction. Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant and can depress sexual drive and cause ED, especially in chronic, heavy drinkers. Additionally, chronic alcohol use can lead to liver disease, which can disrupt hormone regulation and lead to ED. Counseling about the effects of alcohol on sexual function and overall health, and advice about decreasing alcohol intake may be beneficial in this case.