Your
dick on drugs
Sex and drugs and ... impotence?
Paul Dillon hates to spoil the party, but he presents the - ahem - hard truth and shatters a few myths in the process.
Anyone who has ever watched a commercial for beer or listened to any of a multitude of myths surrounding drug use is likely to tell you that your sex life will improve considerably after drinking or taking drugs. The truth of the matter is that most of the effects of alcohol and other drugs on sexual functioning are not entirely positive.
Of course, a guy may feel more suave or sexy after drinking or consuming a substance, and he may more easily convince himself that his sexual prowess is unparalleled in human history. But all too often - and as many of us know from experience - after a big night out, the mind makes promises that the body can't keep. And it's even more likely to happen if drugs and alcohol, or a cocktail of different drugs, are taken together or mixed over the course of a night. On occasions like this, it's not only a matter of sexual performance, but head-space too.
As with many drugs, alcohol is particularly problematic in the "performance department", as the term "brewer's droop" would suggest. Information from the Centre for Education and Information on Drugs and Alcohol (CEIDA) suggests that it's common for guys who are long-term, heavy drinkers to report a reduction in their libido or sex drive. It's also quite common for heavy drinkers to have difficulties in getting and maintaining a hard-on. And that's not the end of it: it can also lower semen production, and in alcoholic men, the testes often shrink.
Although these effects are most often seen in men who drink heavily over a prolonged period, some sexual functions are impaired even by a lesser intake. For example, there is evidence that having two to three drinks a day may decrease sperm counts. While this may not be high on the list of concerns for all gay men, for those considering negotiating fatherhood, such information has obvious implications.
Another drug widely used in the gay community, and commonly used when having sex, is marijuana. Indeed, many cannabis users comment on how good sex can be when they're 'stoned'; one of the perceived benefits being the loss of inhibitions, which can contribute to a positive sexual experience. But, as you might expect, it's not that simple. Although research findings on the long-term effects of cannabis use on sexual functioning in men are not uniform, current evidence available from CEIDA suggests that cannabis suppresses the production of hormones that help to regulate the reproductive system. For men who smoke pot heavily over a long period, this can translate to both decreased sperm counts, and - possibly of more interest and concern - occasional erectile dysfunction or impotence.
Another drug commonly reported to lower inhibitions and heighten sexual experiences is cocaine. Stories about women placing cocaine on their clitoris, or guys covering the head of their dick with it during sex as a means of intensifying the pleasure, are often heard and told. However, reports from cocaine users tend to indicate that while coke may heightened sensation in sex on the first few occasions, on subsequent uses, sexual arousal can become diminished. In fact, information available from CEIDA suggests that long-term cocaine use can also lead to impotence.
Of course, not all sex and drug experiences are negative. Recent research from the National Centre in HIV Social Research (NCHSR) identifies that some gay men on "the scene" use speed as a way of building or maintaining their sexual arousal. Many men who took part in the study reported feeling more "horny" on speed and more "confident" when they were cruising for sexual partners. However, - and not surprisingly for anyone who's experienced the phenomenon of "speed dick" - the research also identified that many men needed to remain keenly aware of the amount of speed they took, as too much of the drug meant they could not get or maintain an erection.
And then, of course, there's the "love drug", ecstasy. In his book Reconsidering Ecstasy, the late Nicholas Saunders discussed the link between ecstacy and sex:
"Although the media portray ecstasy as an aphrodisiac, the drug tends to inhibit erections in men (and male rats)," he wrote. "Many users never become sexually aroused on ecstasy and find the state incompatible with lust, while others find that they can continue on a sexual energy level if they are feeling sexy as the drug takes effect."
Although ecstasy has long enjoyed the reputation as an enhancer of sexual performance, little research has examined the effects it has on sexual behaviour. As part of a larger survey examining ecstasy use, involving interviews with 213 ecstasy users from Sydney, the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) investigated the effects of ecstasy on sex and arousal.
Most subjects reported that ecstasy improved sex (70%) and lowered inhibitions (67%). However, it is worth noting that 45 percent reported that ecstasy inhibited arousal and/or climax. Interestingly, 12 percent reported a loss of sexual urge related to ecstasy use, lasting for an average of 48 hours.
Now, when getting an erection is proving a little difficult, for some guys, the very idea of having to roll on a condom can simply add to their state of limpness. While the temptation of not using a condom in situations like this may be understandable, any decision to do so carries an obvious risk in terms of sexual health. Anecdotal evidence suggests that, increasingly, one way that (gay) men are getting around this problem is by using Viagra. While this drug is safe, with relatively few side effects, it should be noted that Viagra and amyl nitrate can dangerously interact with each other if taken together, and can result in potentially fatal consequences.
Of course for many guys the loss of an erection is not the end of the world, as sexual pleasure can be derived from other forms of stimulation. However, it is important to be aware that drug and alcohol use may affect decision-making. A range of factors can often affect choices around safe sexual practices. Alcohol and other drugs can play a contributing role in influencing these choices. "Poly-drug use", that is, using more than one drug at the same time, may contribute even more.
The amount and combination of drugs you take can impact on your dick and your head! For example, when a guy is finding it difficult to get an erection after taking speed or ecstasy, and they are feeling horny as a result of the drugs, they may end up in situations (and positions) that they are not used to. Guys who are usually "tops" may end up being "bottoms", and vice versa. While experimenting with new positions outside of our usual repertoire may be exciting and adventurous, it may lead to circumstances where an individual's frame of reference regarding sexual health risk is, literally, turned upside down. Additionally, it's important to be aware that when this type of control and experience shifts in "the heat of the moment" and while in an "altered head-space", an individual may not consider all the consequences of risk taking behaviour in the same way as they otherwise might. Therefore, it might be worthwhile taking just a few more moments to think before plunging into new territory to make sure you've considered all the angles.
Everyone has heard the line "sex & drugs & rock'n'roll". It's almost expected that the three are made for each other, and for some of us they may. However, based on the evidence, the success rate for the sex and drugs mix appears to be far lower than we might be led to believe.
AFAO does not endorse the use of illegal drugs. However as many people in our community choose to use them, this information is brought to you in the interest of health maintenance. This information is most accurate at time of publication.