Can One Night of Drinking Cause ED?

If you’ve ever blamed a disappointing night in bed on “just a few drinks”, you’re not imagining it.

Recent Australian data show that about 1 in 4 men aged 18–64 have experienced erectile dysfunction (ED), and more than half report at least one sexual difficulty in a year. At the same time, around 1 in 3 Australians aged 14+ drink alcohol in ways that put their health at risk.

Put those two facts together and it’s no wonder so many Aussie men quietly worry:

"“Did last night’s drinking cause my ED… and is it permanent?”"

If you’re here because you had a big night after the office party, struggled to get or keep an erection, and are now second‑guessing everything – you’re absolutely not alone.

At NextClinic, we speak to men every week who are worried about their sexual health after heavy drinking – or who’ve noticed their erections aren’t what they used to be and wonder if weekends on the beers (or “just a couple of whiskeys”) are part of the problem.

In this article, we’ll unpack:

• How alcohol and erectile dysfunction are linked in the short and long term
• What’s really going on with so‑called “whiskey dick”
• The difference between a one‑off bad night and an ongoing cause of ED
• When to relax… and when to see a doctor
• What ED treatment in Australia actually looks like – including how telehealth can help
• Practical, realistic tips to protect your erections and still enjoy a drink

This is general information for Australian residents, not personal medical advice – but it should give you a clear, evidence‑based roadmap for what to do next.

A Big Night Out, a Limp Morning: What’s Going On?

Let’s start with the question in the title: Can one night of drinking cause ED?

The short answer:

• Yes, it can absolutely cause temporary erection problems (trouble getting hard, staying hard, or climaxing).
• No, a single night is very unlikely to cause permanent ED in an otherwise healthy man.
• But repeated big nights and heavy long‑term drinking can become a genuine, lasting cause of ED.

Understanding the difference starts with what ED actually is – and what it isn’t.

A Quick Refresher: What Counts as Erectile Dysfunction?

Clinically, erectile dysfunction means a persistent or recurrent inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for satisfactory sex. It’s not about one bad night, or even the occasional flop when you’re exhausted, stressed or drunk.

Key points:

• Almost all men will occasionally struggle with erections – from stress, fatigue, alcohol, anxiety, or just bad timing.
• Doctors start to call it ED when the problem keeps happening over time (for example, most times you try to have penetrative sex).
• ED is very common – Australian estimates suggest about one in five men over 40 have moderate or severe ED, and it becomes more common with age.

So if you had one messy night after the work Christmas party and things didn’t work – that’s usually not ED in the medical sense.

But alcohol can both:

1. Cause temporary erection problems in anyone, and
2. Contribute to the long‑term causes of ED (like blood vessel damage and hormone changes), especially in heavy drinkers.

Alcohol and Erectile Dysfunction: What Happens in Your Body?

To understand why booze messes with erections, it helps to know how erections normally work.

Getting an erection is a complex team effort between:

• Your brain (sexual desire, arousal, mood)
• Your nervous system (signals from brain to penis)
• Your hormones (especially testosterone)
• Your blood vessels (good blood flow in, minimal blood leaking out)
• Your penile tissue and muscles (relaxing at the right time)

Alcohol affects almost all of these systems at once.

1. Brain and nerves: alcohol is a depressant

Although a drink or two can make you feel more relaxed and confident, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. In higher amounts it:

• Slows down messages between your brain and penis
• Dulls sensation
• Blunts sexual arousal and orgasm

Studies show that short‑term alcohol use reduces the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, the branch responsible for starting and maintaining erections.

Result: you might feel mentally “up for it”, but the signals simply don’t fire properly.

2. Hormones and testosterone

Heavy drinking – even over a night – can temporarily lower circulating testosterone and disrupt the balance of other hormones. Over time, chronic heavy drinking is clearly linked to lower testosterone, testicular shrinkage and reduced sperm quality.

Because testosterone plays a key role in libido and erections, this hormonal hit makes erections harder to achieve and maintain.

3. Blood vessels, blood pressure and dehydration

An erection depends on good blood flow into the penis and the ability to trap that blood long enough for penetration.

Alcohol interferes with this in several ways:

• It causes blood vessels to widen (vasodilation), which can drop your blood pressure and make it harder to push enough blood into the penis.
• It’s a diuretic – you pee more, become dehydrated, and your body releases more of a hormone (angiotensin) that can narrow blood vessels, again limiting blood flow to the penis.
• Over time, heavy drinking damages blood vessels more broadly, contributing to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease – both major causes of ED.

Put together, this is why “just one more drink” can be the difference between “I’m good to go” and nothing happening.

What Is “Whiskey Dick”?

“Whiskey dick” is a slang term for temporary erection problems after drinking alcohol – not just whiskey, but any type of alcohol.

Men use it to describe:

• Not being able to get hard at all
• Getting an erection but losing it quickly
• Being able to get hard but taking forever (or being unable) to climax

A few important truths about “whiskey dick”:

• It’s incredibly common – especially after big nights or binge sessions
• It doesn’t mean you’re not attracted to your partner
• It doesn’t mean you’re permanently broken or “too old”
• It’s not a diagnosis – just a nickname for alcohol‑induced sexual dysfunction

Research shows that even in healthy men, short‑term heavy drinking can significantly reduce erection quality and genital sensitivity by depressing the nervous system and altering blood flow.

What to do in the moment

If this happens:

• Be honest: “I’ve had more to drink than I meant to – my body’s not cooperating.”
• Take the pressure off penetration – focus on other forms of intimacy and pleasure.
• Avoid pushing through with more alcohol or other substances – they’ll usually make things worse.
• Don’t panic‑scroll Google there and then; wait until you’re sober to think it through.

If your erections are back to normal once you’ve slept it off and rehydrated, that episode was almost certainly just alcohol at work.

Can One Night of Drinking Cause Permanent ED?

For most people, no – one heavy night is not going to suddenly cause long‑lasting ED.

Think of short‑term alcohol‑related erection problems like a “temporary system shutdown”:

• Your brain signals are suppressed
• Your blood flow is out of whack
• Your hormones are briefly off balance
• You’re dehydrated, tired, and maybe anxious

Once your body clears the alcohol, rehydrates, and recovers, those systems typically reset.

Where it does become a longer‑term issue is when:

• Heavy drinking becomes frequent (e.g. regular binge drinking or high weekly intake), or
• Alcohol is piled on top of other ED risk factors – like diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity or depression.

In those situations, alcohol moves from a one‑off trigger to a true cause of ED.

When Alcohol Becomes a Long-Term Cause of ED

Multiple studies in men with alcohol dependence show extremely high rates of sexual dysfunction:

• Around 60–75% of men with alcohol dependence report at least one sexual problem, with ED one of the most common.
• In some clinical samples, over one‑third of alcohol‑dependent men had significant erectile problems.

Why? Because long‑term heavy drinking can:

• Damage nerves involved in erections (neuropathy)
• Damage blood vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure
• Cause or worsen hormonal problems, including low testosterone
• Be linked to depression and relationship strain, which also affect sexual function

An Australian analysis of more than 100,000 men found that those with ED were more likely to have lifestyle risk factors, including drinking more than 30 alcoholic drinks per week.

In other words:

• Occasional big night: Mostly temporary effects on erections.
• Regular heavy drinking: Significantly higher risk of ongoing ED, plus heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions.

How Much Alcohol Is “Too Much” for Your Sexual Health?

Australia’s official guidelines don’t talk specifically about erections, but they do tell us where health risks start to climb.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Australian Government recommend that healthy adults:

• Drink no more than 10 standard drinks per week, and
• No more than 4 standard drinks on any one day to reduce the risk of alcohol‑related disease and injury.

A standard drink in Australia always contains 10 g of pure alcohol – that might be roughly:

• A small (100 mL) glass of wine
• A middy/pot (285 mL) of full‑strength beer
• 30 mL of spirits

…but it varies by brand and strength, so checking the label is key.

Healthdirect’s page on binge drinking describes binge drinking as drinking “to get drunk”, and notes that drinking more than 4 standard drinks on one occasion increases your risk of harm.

From a sexual health point of view, you can think of it like this:

• Under 4 standard drinks in an evening: less likely (but not impossible) to affect erections
• Above 4–5 drinks: your odds of “whiskey dick” rises fast
• Regularly exceeding 10 standard drinks a week or 4 in a day: increases your risk of long‑term health problems that can cause ED

There’s also growing evidence that no amount of alcohol is truly “safe” for cancer risk, with tools like the Cancer Institute NSW’s Alcohol and Cancer Risk calculator showing a stepwise increase in cancer risk for each additional weekly drink in adults over 45.

So if you care about your erections (and your long‑term health), keeping your drinking within or below the guidelines is a smart move.

Other Causes of ED (And How Alcohol Makes Them Worse)

It’s tempting to pin everything on the beers, but most persistent ED is multi‑factorial. Common causes of ED in men include:

• Cardiovascular disease (narrowed arteries, high blood pressure)
• Diabetes and high blood sugar
• High cholesterol and metabolic syndrome
• Obesity and physical inactivity
• Smoking and vaping nicotine
• Hormonal issues, especially low testosterone
• Depression, anxiety and relationship stress
• Certain medications, including some antidepressants and blood pressure drugs
• Pelvic or prostate surgery or radiation

Alcohol interacts with many of these:

• It raises blood pressure, contributes to weight gain, and can worsen blood sugar control.
• It can worsen depression and anxiety, even though people often drink to cope.
• It makes it harder to exercise regularly and sleep well, both essential for sexual health.

So if you already have one or more of these risk factors, heavy drinking multiplies the problem, and ED is more likely to show up – even if you’re not drinking on that particular night.

When Should You See a Doctor About ED After Drinking?

A one‑off “whiskey dick” episode after a massive night isn’t usually something to panic about.

But you should talk to a doctor if:

• Erection problems keep happening, even on nights you haven’t been drinking much (or at all)
• You’ve noticed a clear decline in morning erections over weeks or months
• You’re under 40 and often can’t get or keep an erection firm enough for sex
• You have other health issues – like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity or depression – plus ED
• You experience chest pain, breathlessness, or reduced exercise tolerance as well as ED (this can indicate heart disease and needs urgent medical attention)

Australian and international research now treats ED as a potential early warning sign of cardiovascular disease, sometimes appearing years before other symptoms.

So while it feels like a “bedroom problem”, it can actually be a heart and blood vessel problem in disguise – which is exactly why doctors take it seriously.

ED Treatment in Australia: What Help Is Available?

If your erections aren’t what they used to be, you don’t have to just live with it – and you don’t have to brave an awkward waiting room if that makes you uncomfortable.

In Australia, ED treatment usually starts with a GP or telehealth consultation, where your doctor will:

• Take a medical and sexual history (including alcohol use)
• Check blood pressure, weight and waist circumference
• Order blood tests (for example, blood sugar, cholesterol, and often a morning testosterone level)
• Ask about psychological factors (stress, anxiety, mood, relationship context)

From there, common treatment approaches include:

1. Lifestyle and risk‑factor changes

These are foundations, not “nice extras”:

• Cutting back on alcohol – ideally within or below guideline levels
• Stopping smoking or vaping
• Increasing physical activity (aerobic exercise is particularly helpful)
• Improving diet and weight management
• Prioritising sleep
• Managing stress and mood

Healthy Male and the Mayo Clinic both highlight lifestyle change as a key part of improving ED and overall men’s sexual health.

2. Psychological support

For many men, performance anxiety, depression, past experiences or relationship issues play a major role in ED – even when there’s also a physical component.

Counselling, sex therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy can:

• Reduce anxiety about performance
• Improve communication with your partner
• Help break the “fear → ED → more fear” loop

3. Prescription medications (PDE5 inhibitors)

For many men, oral medications such as sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil or avanafil (a newer, faster‑acting option) are first‑line treatments. They:

• Work by increasing blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation
• Are taken either “as needed” or, in the case of low‑dose tadalafil, sometimes daily
• Require a prescription and medical assessment – especially to rule out heart problems
• Must not be used with nitrate medications (for chest pain) due to risk of dangerous drops in blood pressure

If you’re curious about different ED medications and how they compare, we’ve broken them down in detail in:

• Top 10 ED Pills (Australia)
• ED Medications: Your Complete Guide to Treatment Options

These guides look at effectiveness, duration, side‑effects, and Australian‑specific access issues.

4. Other medical options

Depending on the cause and severity, doctors may also discuss:

• Vacuum erection devices
• Penile injections
• Hormone treatment if you have proven testosterone deficiency
• In advanced cases, penile implants

These are usually considered after simpler options have been tried.

Getting ED treatment online in Australia

If you’d prefer to start the conversation discreetly from home, telehealth can be a very convenient option.

At NextClinic, we:

• Offer phone‑based telehealth consultations with AHPRA‑registered Australian doctors from 6 am to midnight AEDT, 7 days a week
• Can assess your symptoms, medical history and medications over the phone
• May prescribe ED medications (if clinically appropriate and safe) and send your e‑script via SMS, which you can fill at any pharmacy in Australia
• Also help with related men’s sexual health issues like premature ejaculation and contraception advice

If premature ejaculation (finishing too quickly) is more your concern than getting hard, you might find these helpful:

• Effective Premature Ejaculation Treatments in Australia
• Stay in Control: A Guide to Treatment for PE

Smarter Drinking and Better Erections: Practical Tips

You don’t necessarily have to become a teetotaller to protect your erections – but how, how much, and how often you drink really matters.

Here are realistic strategies you can start using straight away:

Before you go out

• Know your numbers. Have a rough idea of how many standard drinks are in your usual beer / wine / spirits, using the government’s standard drinks guide.
• Eat first. Drinking on an empty stomach leads to a faster, higher blood alcohol spike (and more chance of floppy results).
• Set a limit. Aim to stay at or below 4 standard drinks on a night out – that’s the recommended daily maximum for healthy adults, and your erections will thank you.

While you’re drinking

• Pace yourself. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or soft drink; avoid shots and “skulling” competitions.
• Mix wisely. Combining alcohol with other substances – including some prescription meds – can be dangerous for both your health and your sexual function.
• Notice the tipping point. If you’re starting to slur, stumble, or repeat yourself, your nervous system is already depressed – not a great place for optimal sexual performance.

When things don’t work

• Drop the shame. Explain it’s alcohol, not lack of attraction: “I’m into you, but I’ve had too much to drink and my body’s not cooperating tonight.”
• Shift the focus. Explore other kinds of intimacy (kissing, touch, oral, toys) rather than forcing penetration.
• Don’t double down with more booze or drugs. They’ll only make erections harder and decision‑making worse.

The next day

• Hydrate, rest, and eat well. Help your body physically recover.
• Take an honest look at your drinking pattern. Is this happening after every big night? Are you frequently exceeding 10 drinks per week or 4 per day?
• If you’re sexually active with new or multiple partners, remember that alcohol also increases STI risk by lowering inhibitions and condom use – use protection and consider regular STI checks. Resources like our party‑season contraception guide, Stay Safe: Your Guide to Contraception This Party Season, might be useful.

If erections are back to normal when you’re sober, that points to alcohol as the short‑term culprit. If not, it’s time to chat with a doctor.

Common Myths About Alcohol and Erections

Let’s bust a few myths we hear all the time.

“Alcohol makes you better in bed.”

A drink or two might reduce anxiety and increase desire, but beyond that:

• Alcohol reduces genital sensitivity
• Impairs erection and orgasm
• Worsens stamina and coordination

Heavy drinking is consistently linked to worse, not better, sexual performance.

“Red wine is good for your heart, so it’s good for erections.”

Some older studies suggested light to moderate drinking might have heart benefits, but more recent evidence – and Australia’s updated guidelines – emphasise that any alcohol increases certain health risks, including some cancers.

Your erection health is much more likely to benefit from exercise, not smoking, good sleep and a balanced diet than from a nightly glass of wine.

“If I only have ED when I’m drunk, I’m fine.”

Maybe – but not always.

If you never have issues sober and only occasionally after heavy drinking, that’s probably just “whiskey dick”.

But if alcohol is:

• A major part of your life
• Used to cope with stress, anxiety or low mood
• Combined with other risk factors (e.g. diabetes, obesity, smoking)

…it can still be playing a role in developing true ED over time. Alcohol‑only ED today doesn’t guarantee you won’t have sober ED in future if you keep drinking heavily.

“ED is always in your head.”

Nope.

Psychological factors can cause or worsen ED, but in many men – especially as we age – ED is largely physical, often related to blood vessel health, hormones, or medications.

In reality, mind and body are connected – and alcohol affects both.

Bringing It All Together

So, can one night of drinking cause ED?

• Yes, in the sense that a big night out can absolutely cause temporary erection problems, commonly called “whiskey dick”.
• No, in the sense that a single night isn’t likely to cause permanent ED if you’re otherwise healthy.
• But regular heavy drinking is a well‑established cause of ED over time, and can worsen almost every other risk factor for men’s sexual health.

If you care about your sexual health (and we’re guessing you do if you’re still reading), here’s a simple challenge for this week:

"Pick one concrete change to protect your erections – and actually try it."

For example:

• At your next social event, keep track of your standard drinks and stay at or below 4.
• If you’ve been quietly worrying about persistent erection problems, book a GP or telehealth consult (you can start a discreet telehealth consultation with us from anywhere in Australia).
• Have an honest chat with your partner about how alcohol affects your sex life and agree on some boundaries together.

We’d love to hear from you:

Which strategy are you going to try first – cutting back on drinks, getting checked, or changing how you handle sex after a big night?

Share your plan or your experience in the comments. Your story might be exactly what another bloke needs to read to take his own sexual health seriously.

References

• The health of men in Australia - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
• National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2022–2023: Risky alcohol consumption in the NDSHS - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
• Erectile dysfunction | healthdirect
• Risk factors for erectile dysfunction in a cohort of 108 477 Australian men | Healthy Male
• Does Alcohol Cause Erectile Dysfunction?
• Alcohol and Erectile Dysfunction: What’s the Link?
• Prevalence of sexual dysfunction in male subjects with alcohol dependence - PMC
• [Alcoholic effect on male sexual function] - PubMed
• Sexual dysfunction and marital adjustment in married men with alcohol dependence syndrome - PubMed
• How much alcohol is safe to drink? | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
• Standard drinks guide | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
• Binge drinking | healthdirect
• NSW launches first tool to measure alcohol's impact on cancer risk
• Erectile dysfunction: Causes, diagnosis & treatment | Healthy Male
• Alcohol | healthdirect
• Erectile dysfunction severity as a risk marker for cardiovascular disease hospitalisation and all-cause mortality: A prospective cohort study | Healthy Male
• Erectile dysfunction clinical summary guide | Healthy Male
• Health and lifestyle factors associated with sexual difficulties in men – results from a study of Australian men aged 18 to 55 years - PMC
• RACGP - Much more than prescribing a pill – Assessment and treatment of erectile dysfunction by the general practitioner
• Top 10 ED Pills [Australia] | NextClinic
• ED Medications: Your Complete Guide to Treatment Options | NextClinic
• Online Doctors: Telehealth Consultations at NextClinic
• Effective Premature Ejaculation Treatments in Australia | NextClinic
• Stay in Control: A Guide to Treatment for PE | NextClinic
• Stay Safe: Your Guide to Contraception This Party Season | NextClinic
• Alcohol | NHMRC

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