Alcoholism is a disease and its symptoms are similar to premature aging. 

In female alcoholics, liver disease, menstrual disorders, pelvic inflammatory disease, hysterectomies and bleeding disorders often occur.  In men, liver disease, atrophied testicles and feminization may occur.  Testosterone levels may be decreased as well. 

Changes in the brain may begin from the first few drinks.  It is not known when they become fixed or permanent.  Although alcohol stimulates sexual desire at low doses, at intoxicating levels it decreases the ability to get and maintain and erection and to experience orgasm.

When we talk about non-intoxicating doses of alcohol, we are referring to a 0.06 blood alcohol level or below.  The legal limit for alcohol consumption in Florida and most other states is a 0.08 blood alcohol level.  Moderate intoxication may be from 0.10 to 0.15.  A blood level of 0.15 may occur with three mixed drinks in a 150-pound person.

Because female sexual responses are more difficult to measure than men’s, there is less information about women.  But some things about women and alcohol are known:  increased gynecological disease; difficulty in sexual arousal and achievement of orgasm; greater incidence of infertility; miscarriages or other pregnancy complications.

It is interesting to note that women’s perceptions of their sexual experience differed significantly from physiological evidence.

Women who consumed alcohol believed that their sexual functioning was better than when they did not, and they reported experiencing more pleasure.  Physiological evidence, however, contradicted their belief that their sexual functioning was better.  In fact, evidence shows that sexual functioning in women who have consumed alcohol is lower.

Because these changes in males and females are cumulative, they are often not noticed until there is a problem.