Sex and Cocaine: What are the main impacts of this drug on male sexual health? Find out more in today’s post
To talk about cocaine, the second most consumed illicit drug in Brazil, it’s important to start this text with a brief reflection. The use of the drug, especially when it occurs in an abusive way, can cause negative impacts on health in general.
One of the most well-known problems is the excessive stimulation of the central nervous system. The drug can lead to dangerous changes in heart rate and increased blood pressure, in addition to vasoconstriction, restricting blood flow to vital organs.
Excessive use can cause serious problems such as heart attack and stroke (CVA) to the user.
Beyond cardiovascular impacts, the consumption of the drug is also associated with adverse effects and complications in the respiratory system, even leading to chronic pulmonary problems.
Cocaine also interferes with neurotransmitters – especially dopamine – leading to significant mood, behavior, and cognition changes.
In the long term, it can also bring problems such as anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, and, in more severe cases, even psychosis.
Now that you are generally aware of the negative impacts of cocaine on the human body, let’s move to the main goal of this post: to talk about the risks of this drug for male sexual health, linking chemical dependency and sexuality. Follow along.
Sex and Cocaine: Why has it become popular?
It’s not new that many people consider cocaine attractive at the time of sex. The drug causes sensations of euphoria and pleasure, precisely because it interferes with dopamine levels.
At the turn of the 20th century, especially during the so-called Belle Époque, the substance was used even festively and added to drinks and elixirs.
At that time, it was thought that cocaine was safe and even exciting. For more than a century, unfortunately, this idea still mistakenly persists.
In fact, it’s exactly the opposite: the use of cocaine can have negative impacts on male sexual health. Being a psychoactive substance, it affects various systems of the human body, including sexual organs.
Below, see some of the main problems that chemical dependency can cause to male sexuality.
Erectile Dysfunction and Cocaine
A study conducted by Unifesp (Federal University of São Paulo) a few years ago found that almost half of alcohol and other drug addicts have some sexual dysfunction.
Cocaine, specifically, is known to cause the constriction of blood vessels. In addition to affecting other organs, this action can result in a decrease in blood flow to the genitals, impairing a man’s ability to obtain an erection (or maintain it for some time).
Studies confirm that continuous use of the drug can cause sexual impotence. Men who make regular use can, therefore, face erectile dysfunction problems as a side effect.
Impacts of Cocaine on Libido
The use of cocaine can also have subtler effects than erectile dysfunction itself. A decrease in libido is a short or long-term possibility.
This happens because cocaine affects neurotransmitters in the brain, which play an important role in male pleasure.
In the short term, the user may have the impression that pleasure will increase. However, in the long term, this sensation can change completely: instability in this case can lead to a decrease in desire.
Reproductive Problems Related to Cocaine
Besides the impacts mentioned above, the male reproductive system can also suffer from consumption.
The drug can affect sperm quality, reducing sperm count, motility, and morphology, as well as influencing ejaculation ability.
Regular use, therefore, can cause infertility. A study by USP (University of São Paulo) conducted with rats also pointed to the substance’s harmful action on the testicles.
Psychological Aspects
So far, you’ve understood that the physical effects are impactful, but the psychological aspects can also be devastating. Cocaine can influence or worsen conditions such as anxiety, depression, and relationship problems (which can also contribute to decreased libido).
As explained above, interference in the brain’s neurochemical processes, affecting the release of essential neurotransmitters for healthy sexual functioning, can be largely responsible for psychological disorder.
Dysregulations in this system can lead to problems such as decreased sexual desire and difficulty achieving orgasm.
Chemical dependency not only compromises the individual’s quality of life but also negatively impacts social, professional, affectionate relations, and, as we’ve seen, sexual life. If you have a problem with drug use, seek professional help.
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