Sex You can't be too careful
Here are a few things to consider.
The rules
Drinking and socialising go hand in hand. And socialising can sometimes lead to sex.
But after a few drinks, can you be sure you'll use a condom?
Unsafe sex can lead to unintended pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia, herpes or HIV.
So if you've been drinking and are about to have sex, always remember:
- Wear a condom: be safe by checking you have them with you before you go out
- Ensure sex is consensual: if you don't have a firm yes before you sleep someone, it is legally rape and you could be charged. If you are not sure what you're doing, or think that your partner is too drunk to know what they're doing, don't have sex
The risks
It's no coincidence that men find their sexual performance can diminish after a night out. Alcohol is an anaesthetic – it numbs the genitals' nerve cells, so it becomes harder to reach orgasm. Alcohol also makes it harder to achieve an erection.
Over time, heavy drinking can:
- Cause impotency
- Shrink genitals
- Cause development of "man breasts"
- Encourage depression
- Lower sperm count