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Effects of Alcohol on Men

Alcohol is a drug that can have a large number of both short- and long-term effects on people of either gender, especially when used regularly in vast quantities over time. However, while there are a number of similarities in how alcohol affects both genders, the fundamental biological differences combined with the typical male approach to alcohol, means alcohol does affect men in dissimilar ways.

  1. Mental Health

    • Alcohol can cause a deterioration in the mental health of both genders, and frequent alcohol abusers can suffer from illnesses such as anxiety attacks, schizophrenia and depression. Excess drinking also can lead to problems sleeping, and subsequent sleep deprivation often causes stress. In terms of the mental health of the male gender in particular, a 2006 report by Dr. Deborah Cornah and researcher Jo Sherlock, , titled "Cheers? Understanding The Relationship Between Alcohol and Mental Health," found that 70 percent of men who commit suicide do so after drinking.

    Physical Appearance

    • Drinking to excess has serious consequences on the physical appearance of members of both genders; in men, the effects of alcohol consumption are particularly noticeable first around the breast area, where tissue becomes enlarged. A man's testicles also may be affected, becoming shrunken over time while other effects of excess drinking include the loss of hair, a reddened complexion due to the onset of the skin condition rosacea and the appearance of pus spots.

    Sexual Health

    • Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can have serious consequences over the long term on a man's ability to reproduce. Alcohol affects a male's sexual performance, so long-term drinkers often experience erectile problems and short-term issues such as a lack of interest in sexual intercourse and impotence. Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can, over time, lower a man's sperm count, which can contribute to difficulties in trying to conceive a baby with a partner. According to the DrinkAware website, one in 10 British doctors associated male infertility as a direct result of alcohol.

    Weight Gain

    • The idea that drinking alcohol on a long-term basis gives a man a beer belly is likely a myth. However, according to research from University College London, alcohol can still have a large impact on a man's weight. Men opting to drink alcohol such as cider and beer, both of which contain large amounts of calories when compared to wine and spirits, should watch their weight to make sure it doesn't increase over time.

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