How to avoid the ‘festive flop’ – as doctors warn risk of erectile dysfunction increases at Christmas
CHRISTMAS is typically a very busy time — yet lots of men struggle to get busy in the bedroom.
Stress, a lack of exercise and drinking too much can all increase the risk of erectile dysfunction, experts say.
Research shows half of men over 40 and more than a quarter under 40 suffer from ED.
Dr Janine David, of Eroxon, which makes an erectile dysfunction topical gel and conducted the research, said boozing in the festive season is “likely to increase these numbers even further”.
She said: “Alcohol interferes with the messengers in the brain and the sex hormones that tell the penis to fill with blood leading to erectile dysfunction.
“Alcohol also dulls the senses making sexual arousal more challenging and causes dehydration which reduces blood flow to the penis.”
Around 16.5million men in Britain are affected by erectile dysfunction, with half of those aged 40 to 70 blighted by it.
The NHS last year spent £18.3million on prescriptions medications — including Viagra and Cialis — to treat it.
It can be a symptom of underlying conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.
Previous research has shown drinking too much can reduce sexual desire and pleasure in men, as well as increasing the risk of ED.
The NHS recommends Brits don’t drink more than 14 units of alcohol — the equivalent of six pints of beer — a week, spread across three days or more.
Dr David said: “If you’re planning to have sex over the festive period make sure you drink no more than two units daily or 14 units a week.
“Aim for some drink-free days and on nights you plan to have sex maybe avoid alcohol altogether.”
Risk factors
Alcohol isn’t the only risk factor for ED around Christmas.
Dr Catherine Hood, a psychosexual therapist, said the pressures of the festive season can be “a real damper on sexual function”.
She said: “The pressure to perform in every part of life including sex can be very high at Christmas.
Financial pressures from spending too much can play havoc in the bedroom
Dr Catherine Hood, psychosexual therapist
“Financial pressures from spending too much, the shear stress of getting everything done, rows and disagreements with your partner, pressures to see family members, can play havoc in the bedroom, making it hard for your body to focus on becoming aroused.”
She said you should try talking to your partner about your anxieties around sex so they can help you feel less pressured.
Exercise — or a lack of it — is another key risk for problems in the bedroom during winter.
GP and men’s health specialist Dr Jeff Foster said: “During the busy festive season and right through the winter, lifestyles often leave a lot to be desired with heavy, fatty, sugary food, excessive alcohol and lack of exercise becoming the norm for many of us.
“Unhealthy lifestyles increase the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, low testosterone, and cardiovascular disease, all of which increase the likelihood of ED.
“Poor blood flow to the penis is the most common cause of ED and obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease can all reduce blood flow to the penis.
“The penis is often a barometer for a man’s cardiovascular health and ED can be an early warning sign of underlying health problem.”
Men should aim to exercise at least 30 minutes a day and eat lots of fruit and vegetables to reduce their risk, he said.
What are the symptoms of erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Erectile dysfunction is when you are either:
- unable to get an erection
- unable to keep an erection for long enough to have sex
Depending on the cause, you may still be able to get an erection at other times, such as when you wake up.
Sometimes you might also have low sex drive (loss of libido).
Source: The NHS