Half of British men are bedroom flops

One in two British men is affected by impotence at some point in their lives, with alcohol to blame more  often than not, research shows.

The sensitive nature of the subject means that many suffer in silence, with devastating consequences for  their self-esteem and relationships, reports the Daily Mail.

The taboo topic has been brought into the open by Boots, which carried out a survey of 4,500 men. The chemist chain found that 19 per cent have struggled to make love when sober – while a further 31 per  cent have suffered problems after a boozy night out.

Some 68 per cent of those polled also owned up to having experienced premature ejaculation at some point in  their lives.
Many said their sexual problems had caused their self-esteem to plummet.

Two-thirds of married men said they would refuse to discuss the issue with their doctor and one in eight was  so embarrassed that he would not talk about it with anyone.
Colm O’Mahony, consultant physician in sexual health at Chester Hospital, said: ‘Although extremely  widespread, the taboo nature of these problems means that most sufferers do not seek help. "Stigma, shame,  concern for their partner’s reaction, and sometimes denial, all play a part.

"Many endure in silence, believing that the problem is transient, and that no help is available. It can be  crushing. Guys get worn down and when you fix them, the change in their demeanour is dramatic. The woman  will say she has got her cheerful, friendly husband back, instead of a morose, grumpy chap."

Sexual problems are most common among older men, with causes including obesity, smoking, alcohol, stress,  medication and hardening of the arteries.

Although Viagra is the best-known treatment, other drugs are also available.

Premature ejaculation, which can also be exacerbated by stress, tends to hit younger men and is usually  treatable by changes in sexual technique.

Psychologist Dr Pam Spurr said that women can also be left feeling their partner no longer finds them  attractive, adding: "There is a great big silence – there is an elephant ­ sitting in the bedroom."

Robert Gilbert, of Boots, which has launched a men’s sexual wellbeing range, said: "It’s concerning that so  many men are suffering in silence. We urge men to talk to their partners and seek help from their pharmacist  or GP."