Posted on 10/27/2005 11:37:16 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Problem drinking may dampen both a man's sex life and his chances of having children, according to a new study.
Researchers in India found that men being treated for alcoholism had lower testosterone levels and more sperm abnormalities than non-drinkers did. They also had a far higher rate of erectile dysfunction (ED) - 71 percent, versus 7 percent of abstainers.
Some past studies have suggested that heavy drinking can take a toll on men's reproductive health. One recent study found that couples had a higher miscarriage risk if the man had consumed 10 or more drinks a week around the time of conception.
Also, it's known that alcoholic men can develop signs of low testosterone, including shrunken testicles and enlarged breasts.
The new findings add to evidence that heavy drinking, at least among alcoholics, may harm both men's sex lives and their fertility, according to the study authors, led by Dr. K. R. Muthusami of Kovai Medical Center and Hospital in Coimbatore, India.
"Men are advised to refrain from chronic alcohol consumption if they want to procreate and lead a normal sex life," the researchers conclude in the medical journal Fertility & Sterility.
On the other hand, it's unlikely that light drinking would have any significant effect on men's fertility, Muthusami told Reuters Health.
The study included 66 non-smoking men who had sought treatment for alcoholism, along with 30 non-smokers who had never consumed alcohol. On average, alcoholic men had a significantly lower sperm count, but more abnormal sperm, as well as lower testosterone levels and changes in other reproductive hormones.
According to the researchers, these findings likely reflect direct damage to the testicles caused by excessive alcohol. Alcohol, Muthusami said, enters the testicles directly and can both cut testosterone production and harm the quality of semen.
But the potential harm is not limited to men. Other studies, the researcher noted, have found heavy drinking to impair women's reproductive health as well.
SOURCE: Fertility & Sterility, October 2005.
Is post # 20 acceptable?
;-)
...I had no tender inclinations. I made an apology very easily; and she was very good, and said it happened very commonly after drinking. However, I was much vexed. --James Boswell, journal entry for June 5, 1763.
Yup. He probably pounded a few brews in his day.
The Golden Age of Hollywood in more ways than one.
Beer was wonderful for my sex life. Especially when it was consumed in mass quantities by young college girls.
------
Hey, great minds think alike!! --- :-)
"Booze has only hurt my sexlife in that it has made give my REAL number to women of a sort that don't pose for "Vogue" if you know what I mean.
Other than that, the "whiskey" aspect of sex makes a man quite popular and a woman more than willing to distribute your Resume', if you know what I mean.
Other than that basic error on the part of the writer, I find the scietific idea that booze means you don't have to pull out, being a BAD BAD BAD message. I think most 19 year old married men will agree with that.
(did I go to far with that?)"
Huh? Are you throwing a few back now? Spellcheck please.
Could be holding you tonight,
Could quit doing wrong, start doin' right.
You don't care about what I think.
I think I'll just stay here and drink.
Hey puttin' you down don't square no deal.
Least you know the way I feel.
Take all the money in the bank.
Think 'll just stay here and drink.
Listen close and you can hear,
That loud jukebox playin' in my ear.
Ain't no woman gonna change the way I think.
Think 'll just stay here and drink.
Instrumental Break.
Hurtin' me now don't mean a thing.
Since lovin' you, don't feel no pain.
My mind ain't nothin' but a total blank.
I think I'll just stay here and drink.
Merle Haggard
Ever play Beergoggles at texasnights.com?
I've yet to notice any decrease in libido.
There is way more than 18 shots in a bottle of whiskey.
I can only speak for myself. ;-)
NOW I found out!!!
DEFINE "HEAVY". I'm 210lbs. Is that too heavy?
ROFL
You need a larger shot glass!
Better known as Whiskey D**K
Fond memories of doing physical exams at the VA hospital in med school. Every last patient I ever saw, with only one exception, was in for disease related to either alcohol or tobacco, or both. You could easily pick out the alcoholics just on the genital exam: soft, small, squishy testicles. Sickening to feel. Made me a believer!
Is it just me or does it look like the Michelin Man has lost some weight??
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.