A GOOD romp can really give our mood – and health – a boost.
So it can be disheartening if a sesh between the sheets didn't go exactly as you'd hoped for, or you're struggling to conjure up the passion.
It's perfectly normal for that to happen from time to time, so don't beat yourself up.
But sometimes it's worth examining your everyday habits, as seemingly innocuous things might be leading to erectile dysfunction (ED) or killing your sex drive.
Professor Geoff Hackett, medical adviser for Hims, shared five things that might be behind your sexual dysfunction.
From snacking on certain foods to indulging in alcohol a bit too much, here's five habits you might want to avoid.
Read more on sex
TASTE SENSATION
Diet guru doctor shares 6 surprising foods to give your sex life a boost
EAT UP
Dr Michael Mosley says superfood 'works like Viagra and slashes heart attack risk'
1. Eating fatty foods
Though fatty foods can be a yummy indulgence from time to time, too much can cause sexual difficulties, Geoff told Huffington Post.
That''s because unhealthy fats can lead to a buildup of plaque in your arteries, also known as atherosclerosis.
This can cause your arteries to narrow and result in reduced blood flow to the penis, making it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection.
It can also leave you at risk of stroke and heart attack.
Most read in Health
OUTBREAK
Stark warning as cases of infectious disease surge putting 1 in 10 kids in danger
OUR AGONY
My daughter, 22, died suddenly after her partner found her unconscious in doorway
HARD TO SWALLOW
From heartburn to cancer – the truth about tickly throats & when to worry
WHAT’S SUPP
The immune-boosting supplements to take to keep bugs & silent killers at bay
“ED can be an important early warning sign that the smaller arteries of the penis are being affected and that larger arteries will be affected unless medical issues are addressed," Geoff warned.
So fatty foods can be a bit more than a mood killer.
2. Having too much sugar
Another common culprit behind your unsatisfying romp could be sugary treats – especially if you're having them regularly.
According to Geoff, sweet stuff spikes your blood sugar, which makes your pancreas produce insulin to bring it back down .
If you're going through this cycle frequently, it can start affecting your sexual health, the medical adviser warned.
In fact, he added, erectile dysfunction can sometimes be an early sign of diabetes.
If this is the case, he says that “early medical intervention can be helpful.”
3. Drinking too much
Thought the haziness of booze might make a romp seem romantic or exciting, it can actually kill the mood when you eventually make it to the bedroom, Geoff warned.
Drnking too much can raise your blood pressure and cholesterol while lowering testosterone, he said.
This can lead to ED, low sexual desire and make it harder to orgasm, Geoff went on.
Steroids and supplements for muscle building might also have a similar effect, he added.
4. Smoking
Smoking is pretty terrible for your health – turns out, it can affect your sex life too.
According to Geoff: “The key culprit is nicotine, which is a known vasoconstrictor (a type of chemical that reduces blood flow through arteries).
"The small blood vessels of the penis are especially vulnerable and smokers have 1.5 to two-fold increased risk of ED.”
Even if you quit smoking, it can still take up to six months for your ED to resolve itself.
5. Stress
One of the biggest mood-killers in the bedroom can be stress.
“Stress is associated with increased levels of adrenaline which causes difficulty in maintaining an erection and also affects the production of sex hormones, especially testosterone, that may reduce libido,” Geoff pointed out.
Cortisol, a stress hormone, can also affect your testosterone production.
FOUR WAYS TO GIVE YOUR SEX LIFE A BOOST
Geoff ackowledged that it can be hard to avoid stress – but he suggested trying breathing exercises, meditation or sex therapy to calm yourself and boost your libido.
In terms of foods, there are plenty that can give your sex life a boost – though they might not fit the bill of so-called aphrodisiacs like oysters or chocolate-covered strawberries.
Diet guru Dr Michael Mosley suggested indulging in foods like chickpeas, fatty fish, pistachios, leafy greens and beetroot, to improve your sex life.
Not the sexiest precursors to a romp, but they will have long term benefits.
Health experts at Harvard Health also suggested doing kegels.
The exercise, which involves tightening the muscles of your pelvic floor, can improve your sexual fitness whatever your gender.
"To do these exercises, tighten the muscle you would use if you were trying to stop urine in midstream," it said.
Read More on The Sun
TIME OUT
How to take 55 days' holiday in 2024 by booking just 25 days of annual leave
MARKED DOWN
Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan home-shamed as they reveal decor at mansion
"Hold the contraction for two or three seconds, then release. Repeat 10 times. Try to do five sets a day."
Regularly exercising can also do wonders for your sex life as well as your health – especially if you experience ED, according to research.
Source: Read Full Article
