A lot of people will toast with a glass of something and hope the night ends on a high note. But one doctor is warning that even a single drink can be enough to throw off a man’s sexual performance. Dr. Jeevan Fernando, a former NHS physician and the official doctor for the Dry January 2026 campaign, explained that alcohol does not need to be consumed in large amounts to start changing how the body responds. The advice, first shared widely by Unilad, is a reminder that “just one” can still matter more than many people expect.
Dr. Fernando says the effects are often more noticeable in men because erections depend on a tight coordination of hormones, blood flow, and nerve signals. Alcohol can interfere with nitric oxide and testosterone, two factors that play a role in libido and the ability to get and keep an erection. Because male sexual organs are external, small physiological changes can feel more obvious both to the person experiencing them and to a partner. Alcohol can affect women’s sexual function too, but those shifts are not always as visibly apparent in the same way.
One drink does not hit everyone equally, and Dr. Fernando points out that the impact can depend on the strength of the drink, metabolism, whether someone has eaten, and habits like smoking and overall diet. Still, he warns that even a single serving may reduce nerve sensitivity and alter blood flow. That combination can make it harder to get started, or to maintain an erection once things are underway. For some, the change is subtle, but for others it can be immediate and frustrating.
Alcohol can also disrupt coordination and slow the brain’s messaging, which can make it harder to stay in sync with a partner. The moment may feel less intuitive, less responsive, and more awkward than expected. On top of that, impaired judgment can lead to more impulsive decisions, and once drinking begins, stopping at one can be easier said than done. The more alcohol that follows, the more likely both performance and decision making will slide in the wrong direction.
The upside is that the body can rebound quickly when alcohol is reduced. Dr. Fernando says people who take a break, like during Dry January, often notice better sleep and higher energy early on. Those who are used to drinking more heavily may feel a brief mood dip as the body adjusts, but he notes it typically settles within a few days. Over the following weeks, many report clearer thinking, improved focus, and a gradual return to steadier baseline function.
Have you ever noticed a difference after just one drink, or do you think the impact is overstated? Share your take in the comments.
