Stress of modern life disastrous for Brit’s sex lives

Whether it is money worries due to a crippling recession, or keeping busy on social media such Facebook or Twitter, there seems to always be something to distract us Brits in our day-to-day lives.

So much so that it seems these factors could be behind the revelation that couples in Britain appear to be having sex less now than at any other time during the last two decades. This is according to the findings extracted from a national survey on sex habits.

The figures from the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal) – conducted only once per decade – involved 15,000 participants aged 16 to 44. It would seem that modern life is having an impact on the libido of people from all ages.

To understand the decline, men polled during 2010 to 2012 stated that they had sex on average 4.9 times a month and women were around the same at 4.8. The survey, the third in the series, was carried out between September 2010 and August 2012.

However, the same survey from 1999 to 2001 found that men had sex roughly 6.2 times on average per month, whilst women were again at about the same number; 6.3.

Even further back, during 1990 to 1991 shows that men were having sex 6.4 times on average per month and for women it was 6.1 times. Clearly something has changed in the subsequent years.

Dr Cath Mercer, from University College London, said: “People are worried about their jobs, worried about money. They are not in the mood for sex. But we also think modern technologies are behind the trend too. People have tablets and smartphones and they are taking them into the bedroom, using Twitter and Facebook, answering emails.”

Dr Mercer also deduced from the survey’s findings that couples aged 16 to 44 could even be turning to online pornography as an alternative to sex.

Lead Natsal author Professor Kaye Wellings, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that stress caused by the recession and more people working even when away from the office are likely to be key factors for the decline.

“In a recession we find an association between unemployment and a low number of sexual partners, perhaps due to low self-esteem,” she commented.

Professor Wellings added: “The change in women’s behaviour across the three surveys has been remarkable. In some areas of sexual behaviour we have seen a narrowing of the gender gap, but in others we have seen women overtaking men in the diversity of their behaviour. These trends need to be seen against the backdrop of the profound changes in the position of women in society, the norms governing their lifestyles and media representations of female sexuality.”

The survey, analysed by researchers from University College London and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, also quizzed older people about their sex lives.

According to the results, 60% of men and 42% of women aged 65 to 74 had had sex in the previous year, albeit not on a regular basis compared to other groups. On average, men aged 65 to 74 were having sex 2.3 times per month and only 1.4 times for women.

There were also some other interesting findings from the survey, for instance:

.  A sixth of UK pregnancies are not planned.

. Half of men reported a recent sexual problem; impotence or a sexually transmitted infection are just some of these ‘problems’. Only a tenth were worried or distressed about their sex lives however.

. Around 15% of men had experienced a lack of interest in sex.

. Women under the age of 44 have an average of sexual 7.7 partners, while for men it is 11.7.

. After the survey in the year 2000, more people accept same-sex relationships but are now less tolerant of a cheating partner.

. Around 3.6% of men admitted to paying for sex in the previous five years, compared to hardly any women.

More men fear hair loss than impotence

Hair loss and suffering with impotence are probably amongst men’s biggest worries and the cause for a great deal of anxiety.

However, a new study suggests that hair loss could actually surprisingly be a bigger concern to men than their performance in the bedroom. It could be that hair loss degrades confidence to the extent that many men feel this will affect their ability to find a partner in the first place.

The survey of 2,000 males found that an incredible 94% feared going bald, compared to 89% who feared about experiencing erectile dysfunction and losing their ability to perform in the bedroom.
Other things that caused fear for the men survey included going grey, feared by 75% of the men (although becoming a ‘silver fox’ never did George Clooney any harm!), whilst 64% were concerned about putting weight on. This is perhaps unsurprising when health experts have stated that by 2050 obesity is predicted to affect 60% of adult men, 50% of adult women and 25% of children.

In addition, 61% were terrified of losing their teeth, 45% had a fear of needing to wear glasses at some point, 31% were worried about losing their hearing and suffering with bad breath was feared by 24% – although the revolutionary and massively popular CB12 mouthwash has now helped with this problem for both men and women.

None of these fears compared to hair loss however. Psychotherapist Toni Mackenzie was not shocked by the survey’s findings.

She said: “Hair loss can be genuinely distressing for men. It can’t be easily disguised and people think its fair game for jokes, unlike things like putting on weight or going grey. Men who lose their hair are expected to take insults with good humour. The pressure this causes can have a huge effect on men’s self-confidence, which has knock-on effects on their physical and mental wellbeing.”

Ian Watson, of HIS Hair Clinics, commented: “Going bald is just too personal to be funny. I lost my hair in my 20s. I’ve had countless people rub my head like a lucky Buddha and been called everything from baldilocks to Fester. It soon becomes downright upsetting.”

The findings back up other surveys carried out this year, such as one recently commissioned by pharmaceutical and cosmetics company Alpecin, producers of the hugely popular Alpecin caffeine shampoo for hair loss. Their survey discovered that losing hair is an increasingly bigger concern for 21-30 year old men. There are countless studies, articles, and media stories that portray attractiveness as being a key factor in success and for many people hair is associated with attractiveness.

The fact that there are an estimated 6 million men in the UK suffering from hair loss, this equates to a huge amount of stress and fear. However, Medical Specialists Pharmacy are able to offer the prescription-only medication Propecia (finasteride), which is commonly used to treat male pattern baldness and works by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which thought to cause hair loss.  It is obtainable following a quick and easy 4 step process which includes an online consultation with one of our in-house doctors. Propecia is priced from as little as £47.58 per month.

Other options in addition to Propecia include Regaine Foam and Regaine Lotion, as featured in numerous television adverts. Obtainable from Medical Specialists Pharmacy from as little as £49.95 and £59.95 respectively, Regaine products contain the active ingredient Minoxidil which is clinically proven to help prevent further hereditary hair loss, showing success in 4 out of 5 men. It works by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicles which helps to strengthen existing hair and stimulate secondary hair growth.

The causes of Erectile Dysfunction and how to beat it

At Medical Specialists Pharmacy we have a constantly growing patient base spanning tens of thousands of people that are seeking our help from all across the globe.  Male and female hair loss, acne, hirsutism, and sexual health are just a few of the issues that we provide solutions for.

One very common problem that we provide help with is erectile dysfunction (ED). Also known as ‘male impotence’, it is the inability to achieve and maintain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual intercourse. More prominent that many would assume, it affects roughly four in ten men over the age of 40, and it is estimated that approximately 49% of men aged 70 are suffering with varying degrees of ED.

There are numerous causes that can all contribute in some way to a male slowly beginning to develop symptoms of ED. These include physical causes/diseases such as obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, cardiovascular disease and hormonal problems such as an underactive thyroid. In addition there are psychological impacts that can lead to ED and these include relationship problems, depression, low self-esteem, stress, anxiety and even the fear of sex or ‘sexual failure’; particularly common in new relationships when the couple have yet to have sexual intercourse.

So what are the treatments and prevention methods for men with ED? If you have the condition, your GP can analyse your lifestyle choices and risk factors for erection-hindering health issues such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, and refer you to a screening for these. Your doctor may also ask questions about your home and working life, relationships etc. to determine what psychological factors may be causing the ED, and could even offer sexual counselling for those who could find the therapy advantageous. Speaking to a psychologist or counsellor may help to reduce your stress and worries, fully getting to the root of your problems so you can tackle them head-on.

There are also simple lifestyle alterations that you can make which can all help to decrease the chance of you experiencing erectile dysfunction. For example, quitting smoking is a major beneficial thing to consider doing as soon as possible as smoking impairs the arteries, resulting in a restriction of blood supply to the penis. Starting a regular exercise regime could work wonders and this will promote better cardiovascular health and get blood pumping around the body more efficiently. Moderating your level of alcohol consumption is also a definite must in regards to better erections. Not only does drinking alcohol cause the short-term problem commonly referred to as ‘brewer’s droop’, it is believed that prolonged alcohol abuse can contribute to irreversible sexual dysfunction for men in the long-term too due to its destructive nature on the nervous system.

For a lot of men suffering with impotence, the most standard and effective form of treatment remains with the popular medications Viagra, Cialis and Levitra. Since the ground-breaking Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the Pfizer-manufactured Viagra in 1998 for the treatment of ED, sales of the medication sky-rocketed to astronomical levels and in 2008 its annual sales peaked at an enormous US$1,934 million. Five years after Viagra’s FDA approval, tadalafil (sold as Eli Lilly’s Cialis) and vardenafil (sold as Bayer’s Levitra) were both given the green light for commercial sale and have since taken a substantial slice of Pfizer’s market share.

The US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has released a new erectile dysfunction drug called Viagra Chewable or Viagra Jet. It comes out as an alternative to regular Viagra tablets for those men who find it difficult to swallow Viagra tablets with water. Unfortunately though, if you are looking to buy Viagra Chewable online, they are not available in the UK as yet, but hopefully Medical Specialists Pharmacy will be one of the first Online Pharmacies in the UK to know when it does, so watch this space!

More Brits are turning to booze to banish the stress of their job

The independent charity ‘Drinkaware’ has confirmed what many of us have long suspected – we drink away our troubles after a long and stressful day at work.

Drinkaware are a UK-wide organisation who work together with drinks companies and retailers to promote safe drinking and fight the national drinking culture via voluntary donations.

They have recently conducted a survey and quizzed 2,008 UK adults aged between 30 to 45, regarding their drinking habits.  Two thirds claimed they drank simply to ‘unwind’ and nearly half (44%) commented that they would probably have an alcoholic drink following a stressful day at work. In addition, 37% said that they thought of having a drink during their commute home.

It appeared to be a case of the usual suspects in terms of what factors were to blame for people turning to booze. Over half (60%) pinpointed stresses at their workplace for one of the reasons for their drinking, half blamed money problems and 36% admitted family issues.

However, more alarmingly four out of 10 women questioned admitted they were consuming over the daily recommended limit set out by the government, which is 2-3 units for women. For men, the daily limit stands at 3-4 units and a third of the men in the survey said they were drinking more than this.

Siobhan McCann, head of campaigns and communications at Drinkaware, warned people about the dangers of overdoing it and also offered advice. She said, “Alcohol can be a ‘false friend’ when you are trying to deal with stress. Even though it might seem like a few drinks can relieve the pressures of the day, in the medium to long term it can actually add to them – whether they’re work, financial or family related. Stress can also be an excuse for people to drink more than they should, especially if they don’t realise the negative impact it can have on their health and wellbeing. Think about your evening routine – if you spend most of your time on the sofa with a drink in your hand, look at other hobbies you can enjoy with family and friends to help clear your mind. With a summer of sport ahead, there has never been a better time to get out and get active.”

What Siobhan didn’t mention was the many number of short and long-term negative impacts that  a heavy alcohol intake can have on you. Here are some of the ways that heavy boozing can be detrimental to your health and well-being:

. Liver disease such as cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis.
. Increased risk of chronic gastritis (stomach inflammation).
. Damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, leading to decreased sexual desire and impotence in males.
. Skin disorders such as flushing, psoriasis and urticaria.
. Pregnant women who drink high levels of alcohol are increasing the risk of mental and physical defects developing in the foetus.
. Effects on mental health such as depression, anxiety, cravings, irritability, etc.  Alcoholics are also known to have a very high suicide rate.
. An excessive alcohol intake can lead to hypertension. High blood pressure has been linked countless times to erectile dysfunction in men.

Of course these are just the tip of the iceberg in regards to the different ways that a heavy alcohol consumption can have to you. Maybe next time you have a stressful day at work, instead of reaching for the bottle, have a relaxing bath to unwind and then spend some quality time with your family or friends. Your body will thank you for it in the long run!

Couples who share a bed may reap health benefits

In recent times it has not been uncommon for many couples to insist on sleeping apart and in separate rooms. Issues such as snoring, sweating, wind and even fighting over the sheets can lead to one half of a couple deciding enough is enough and sleeping in the spare room. However, if you are in a relationship with one of these problems and are considering leaving your partner to sleep alone, stop! According to experts in America, there could be major health benefits sharing a bed with your long-term partner.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh claim that sleeping with somebody by your side, can decrease the stress hormone cortisol. They believe this could be related to feelings of safety and security elevated due to someone being next to you.  A high cortisol level is often attributed to prolonged stress. Occasional increase in the level of cortisol may not be too dangerous. However, a prolonged case of high cortisol release can then result in too much ‘cytokines’ being emitted. These are proteins can cause inflammation that can bring on heart disease, depression, and have detrimental effects on the immune functions, fertility, and eventually, lead to the condition known as Cushing’s syndrome.

Lead researcher Wendy Troxel spoke about how a couple sleeping together may help to decrease these damaging proteins, “Sleep is a critically important health behaviour that we know is associated with heart disease and psychiatric wellbeing. There is extensive literature showing that married people — happily married people, in particular — live longer, happier, and healthier lives than their unmarried or unhappily married counterparts. We also know sleep is critically important for health and wellbeing, and it happens to be a behaviour couples engage in together, so it stands to reason it may be an important link with their health.”

However, there are even more reasons for partners to continue to share a bed. Some experts say that this will increase levels of the ‘love hormone’ oxytocin and many people have previously assumed that this is only released during sex. Dr David Hamilton is a scientist who has released a book titled ‘Why Kindness Is Good For You’, and he has studied in great depth that the role oxytocin plays in the body. He says, “Sleeping together will increase oxytocin levels, providing you are happy in the relationship. Making love is one of the most reliable ways to produce oxytocin, as is going to sleep embracing someone or just being physically happy in their company or with the conversation you are having in bed. And oxytocin has a super-spiral effect; the more physical contact you have, the more oxytocin you’ll produce, which causes you to want more contact, and so on. Oxytocin can have an addictive effect.”

Dr Hamilton also says that low levels of the love hormone oxytocin have been shown to be existent within patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome. He comments, “Oxytocin has also been shown to reduce inflammation. While inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process, too much of it, which can accompany bacterial infections or chronic stress, is damaging to the body. It’s well known, for example, that inflammation plays a role in many types of cancer. Meanwhile, a number of recent studies have shown how oxytocin can affect the heart.”

Of course, for single people out there suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, relying on the release of oxytocin may be a futile thing! At Medical Specialists Pharmacy, we are currently analysing the massive range of products for IBS sufferers with a view to expanding our evergrowing span of medications and chemist shop items, and we hope to offer effective solutions very soon, so keep checking our website regularly for more updates. Mebeverine is just one of the IBS products which will soon be available to new and existing patients. In the meantime, feel free to browse around our website for help with other such common problems like male and female hair loss, impotence, help with quitting smoking, lowering cholesterol and much more.

More connections shown between oral hygiene and Erectile Dysfunction

The links between Erectile Dysfunction and heart disease have been studied in great depth in recent years. Many studies have shown that men who struggle to achieve an erection, show early signs of atherosclerosis coronary arteries of the heart. Links have also been established between heart disease and the severe gum disease ‘periodontitis’. This attacks the tissue supporting your teeth and is the result of gingivitis being left untreated. It is a serious condition and can lead to tooth loss, and infection of gums and the jaw bones. Periodontitis is the main culprit for adult tooth loss and it is estimated annually in the United Kingdom that there are six cases of severe periodontitis for every 100,000 people.

However, experts have now analysed the association between heart disease and erectile dysfunction. The latest study follows David Bailey, managing director of Medical Specialists Pharmacy, reporting the issue back in August of 2011 and discussing solutions for men with erectile problems.
Researchers from the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital have cooperated with the Herng-Ching Lin School of Care Administration at Taipei Medical University in Taiwan. Nearly 33,000 Taiwanese males who were suffering from impotence were drafted in for the study together with over 162,000 Taiwanese males who did not have any erectile dysfunction issues. All subjects were tracked for a period of five years in order to sustain any possible link between periodontitis and erectile dysfunction.

To ensure more validity for the data, the researchers considered aspects such as location, alcohol intake, any medical conditions and the male’s level of income. After all this was scrutinised, the results determined that the men with erectile dysfunction were more likely to have gum disease. The links between the two were particularly evident in males aged under 30 years and those over 70. In the group who suffered from impotence, 26.9% (8,825) had been given a diagnosis of periodontitis. This compares with just 9.4% (15,469) developing periodontitis in the large group who did not have impotence.

The evidence highlights the need for everybody to maintain a good level of dental hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day, regular visits to the dentist should ensure healthy gums. Do not worry men – gum disease does not actually cause impotence, but the studies seem to suggest a link between the two conditions and more research will need to be carried out to ascertain why the two may be connected.

If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction and would like more information on the range of treatment available at Medical Specialists Pharmacy, click here. The medications we provide for male impotence can be ordered with or without a private prescription, and pending approval from one of our registered doctors, can arrive to you within a mere 24 hours. Prices start from as little as £29.97 for 4 Viagra tablets. We also offer Cialis and Levitra at fantastic prices.

During their life the average Briton will suffer over 9,000 ailments

The Benenden Healthcare Society have published the results of a survey that shows the average Brit suffers with accident or illness approximately 9,672 times during their life. This includes various conditions such as an upset stomach, headache, shaving cuts and backache. The survey quizzed 2,000 Brits and one in four of those described themselves as ‘accident prone’. Half admitted to having hit their head at some point in their life whilst getting out of the car. Furthermore, a quarter also said they had suffered a bite from their pet or had stood onto a plug.

From the survey, it seems we can expect to experience a sore throat on 3 occasions each year along with 4 cricked necks and 4 episodes of heartburn.  If this isn’t bad enough, we will roughly have 6 cases of upset stomach, 5 cramps and cut ourselves 5 times. This equates to some form of injury or pain once every 3 days. In addition, during our lifetime, we can look forward to a tripping or falling over a whopping 234 times, have 156 blisters and have a nosebleed 78 times.

A member of the Benenden Healthcare Society, Lawrence Christensen, commented on the survey, “Even without the threat of serious health conditions, the average human body takes an awful battering day to day, which demonstrates why life just isn’t designed to be easy. Whilst it’s unnecessary to suddenly develop a hypochondriac attitude to life, be sure to visit your GP if you do feel you are experiencing higher than average occurrences of ailments such as sore throats, stomach upsets and back pain.” Mr Christensen further added he would advise everybody to maintain good posture, wash hands regularly, eat healthily and engage in plenty of exercise.

At Medical Specialists Pharmacy, we strive to make life that little bit easier for you.  We have a massive range of products that can help you with many things such as erectile dysfunction, asthma, acne, premature ejaculation, sexual health and many more.  As we mentioned last week, we understand that the hot weather the UK is currently experiencing can be detrimental to asthma and allergy sufferers in particularly, so don’t delay in obtaining your inhalers, such as Ventolin Evohaler, which we sell cheaper than the NHS. If you have already been prescribed an inhaler, have lost your inhaler, or run out and cannot get a prescription immediately, we are able to supply you an inhaler to help your asthma symptoms. We offer both blue (relievers) inhalers such as Ventolin and Salbutamol, and brown (preventers) inhalers such as Qvar Beclomethasone, Qvar Easi-Breathe and Pulvinal Beclomethasone. Our constantly expanding product range now also includes Prevalin allergy nasal spray, Prevalin allergy kids nasal spray and Alomide allergy eye drops, which can all help to combat hay fever.