Premature ejaculation a big problem for couples in China

It would be interesting to find out corresponding results for UK women after a recent online survey showed that incredibly there could be around 96% of women in China who are not satisfied with their sexual partners.

Typical points for complaint from the female respondents included the fact that sexual intercourse was not lasting long enough (under 15 minutes), or their male partner having a sexual health problem.

In fact, over a fifth (22%) of the women who completed the survey laim they have ended a relationship or even divorced their husband because of persistent premature ejaculation problems. Moreover, 21% of men have also ended relationships for similar reasons.

Premature ejaculation is, and should, be considered a genuine medical problem that still requires treatment like anything else and as such, there are options available for men with premature ejaculation. Priligy and Stud 100 spray are just two popular treatments.

The report, published on Sept. 25 by the International Society for Sexual Medicine in Beijing, states that over half of Chinese couples are unhappy with their sex lives.

Furthermore, 96% of women and 80% of men claim that they are not enjoying sexual intercourse for sustained periods.  In comparison to other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the figures for China are actually higher, according to the report.

The study into sexual health or other such issues was conducted over the duration of six months and included 3,567 people spanning across nine countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region, including: Australia, South Korea, Malaysia and the Philippines.

However, it seems that on average, Chinese couples engage in sexual intercourse around nine times a month on average. This is higher than the overall average for the region of 7.7.

The old saying of ‘quality, not quantity’ could be true though and indeed the amount of times couples had sex was not found to be the primary factor in sexual well-being. Instead, libido, willingness to actually have sex, in addition to intimacy levels in the relationship, were discovered to be far more important.

Jiang Hui, a physician studying male reproductive medicine at Peking University Third Hospital says that a large proportion of his patients are concerned they are unable to satisfy their partners sexually and of these patients, over 80% suffer with premature ejaculation.

Jiang also says that a lot of patients mistakenly think that premature ejaculation is purely only down to psychological issues like pressure, stress and fatigue. He says this is the main reason that a lot of men in China do not seek any kind of treatment for premature ejaculation.

Causes of bad breath and how to treat it

Just under seven weeks (48 days!) are what only remain between now and Christmas. During the next month especially, many people will be planning Christmas parties, whether this be with work colleagues or family and friends.

However, imagine you are standing across the room from handsome stranger and your eyes meet. Maybe they happen to be the good-looking person from the other department that you always have had a crush on, but never quite had the courage to speak to and ask out. Later on when the drinks are flowing, confidence has increased, there is some mistletoe conveniently located above you both, and you are about to share a kiss.

But at this point for many people, is where panic kicks in. What about bad breath! Yes, bad breath is a cause of worry for millions of people around the UK and can even result in considerable distress.
With a lot of kissing happening under the mistletoe around the festive period, perhaps now is the time to understand what causes bad breath, what can be done to limit your chances of repeatedly suffering with it, and to be aware of some of the great products out there that can treat bad breath.

Bad breath is also known as ‘halitosis’, and is a common problem that will effect everybody at some stage of their life – usually when they first wake up in the morning. For some, bad breath is a persistent issue that can ruin social lives and result in major loss of self-esteem.

Firstly, the facts – It is thought that around one in 4 people suffers with regular bad breath, although it may differ between what people report as ‘bad breath’. The most cases of bad breath are caused by Volatile Sulfuric Compounds (VSCs). The waste emitted by those bacteria is the main source of these compounds and partly why your dentist advises you to brush your teeth daily!

The brainchild behind revolutionary mouthwash CB12, Dr Thomas Norlin, has previously spoke in great detail the significance of VSC gases and what provided him with the motivation to develop the remarkable CB12 mouthwash.

He said: “The majority of VSCs are produced when protein remnants in the mouth break down into amino acids. The two amino acids that form the main substrate for the production of VSCs are cysteine and methionine. VSCs originate from food, such as a protein-rich diet, milk products and cheese. They also originate from blood, a dry mouth or anything that increases the number of germs, i.e. the amino acids. Certain bacteria have enzymes that break down these amino acids and the result is sulphurous gases, i.e. VSCs which consist of the gases hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulphide. Methyl mercaptan is the component of VSCs that causes the worst smell, even in very small quantities. We also know now that there is a correlation between VSCs and periodontitis.

Dr Norlin added: “In other words, there are elevated levels of VSCs in deep gum pockets, so patients with gum pockets have higher levels of VSCs than other patients. Studies often measure only hydrogen sulphide and not methyl mercaptan to detect VSCs. In order to show the presence of methyl mercaptan a gas chromatography is required. The methyl mercaptan smells the worst and is more aggressive, also it is not neutralised as easily as hydrogen sulphide. With the development of CB12 there was one primary aim: to eliminate all gases and not just some of them. By using a gas chromatography as part of thorough research it has been proved and later published in several scientific journals that CB12 eliminates VSCs for a longer period and is more effective than any other product that exists on the market.”

VSCs are just one of many reasons for bad breath however, and others include:

. Poor oral hygiene

Bacteria accumulated on your gums, teeth and tongue can cause tooth decay, gum disease and plaque (the soft white deposit that can develop on teeth). This bacteria works together with saliva to break down food particles and proteins, causing an unpleasant smelling gas to be released. Failing to brush and floss on a regular basis will mean any food that is still caught between your teeth will be broken down by the bacteria, causing bad breath.

. Smoking

Smoking causes a whole range of problems for the teeth and gums which have a knock-on effect for breath. Regular use of tobacco can and will stain your teeth, lead to a loss of taste, and can cause gum disease by having a detrimental impact on the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth, interfering with the normal function of gum tissue cells. Many of the harmful chemicals contained within tobacco smoke dry the mouth and promote growth from the ‘wrong’ type of bacteria, leading to bad breath. Stopping smoking can both lower your risk of gum disease and help to improve your breath.

. Strong smelling food and drink

Something that smells strong going in, will probably smell strong coming out! Garlic, onions, spices, coffee and alcohol are some of the worst culprits for bad breath. This type of bad breath is usually only temporary and can be limited by avoiding these food and drinks, in addition to maintaining good dental hygiene.

. Unhealthy/crash dieting

Fasting, crash dieting and low-carbohydrate diets may help you to lose weight quickly, but they can be disastrous for your breath. Such diets can cause to body to break down fat for fuel instead of carbs, which then starts the production of molecules called ‘ketones’. One type of ketone, called acetone, is released in your urine and breath.

Treating bad breath

Treatment for bad breath will usually depend on the cause. As we have highlighted already, stopping smoking, avoiding certain food and drink, eating enough carbs, having good oral hygiene, using CB12 mouthwash and fresh breath sprays such as Gold Spot, are just some of the things you can do to try and alleviate the problem.
Make sure to attend regular dental check-ups as dentists can ensure any plaque is removed from your teeth – especially in areas difficult to get to. They can also spot any early signs of gum disease and advise appropriate treatment as early as possible.

Raid at Manchester house uncovers 800 ‘Viagra-style’ ED tablets and 20,000 illegal cigarettes

Trading standards officers swooped onto an address in Greater Manchester after receiving a tip-off regarding the illicit dealings of contraband at a pub in the surrounding area – all under the noses of management who were unaware of the rogue dealer at the pub.

Officials first monitored The Harbord Harbord pub in the heart of Middleton, Greater Manchester, and part of the JD Wetherspoon chain, after getting word of the illegal activities that were taking place there.

After watching the pub, they trailed the suspected rogue dealer to an address in nearby Langley. Then, they made their move and the officials raided the property.

There, they found a Samurai sword, a dagger and an air rifle. Further checks of the property uncovered a staggering 20,000 contraband cigarettes which were concealed in the linings of three sofas, hidden behind books, within divan drawers, and even stashed inside a bread bin.

In the midst of hidden packs of Ronson cigarettes that were being sold on for about £3, officials found 40 kilos of hand-rolling tobacco and 800 ‘sildigra-100’ tablets.

Sildigra-100 are Indian-produced erectile dysfunction tablets that contain sildenafil (Viagra’s active ingredient) but are not approved in the UK and as such, sale of them is illegal.

It was later discovered that no duty had been paid on any of the cigarettes or hand-rolling tobacco found at the address, which were also said to be fake.

Following the raid, a 58-year-old male was immediately arrested on suspicion of counterfeiting. The man has been released on bail before further enquiries are carried out, but is due back at prison in December.

A massive £1.9b is lost every year by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs due to the huge trade in tobacco smuggling, partly fuelled by regular increases in tobacco price when each budget comes around. However, the illicit dealings are believed to be the cause of more serious illegal activity around the Greater Manchester area.

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, cabinet member for regulation at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Activities like this pose a clear risk to our communities. Drugs to treat medical problems should only be prescribed by a doctor and cigarettes should display all the appropriate health warnings.”
She added: “The profits derived from selling counterfeit goods are also often used to fund more serious criminal activity so we will continue to work with the police to stamp it out. I would urge members of the public to report anything suspicious by phoning the citizens advice consumer service on 08454 04 05 06. Alternatively they can contact the police on 101.”

Worrying times: Are half of all Brits suffering from stress?

Children, money, work, home, health…These are just some of the demanding things we have to deal with on a daily basis. On top of this, the UK’s crippling recession and endless governmental cutbacks simply do not help matters when it comes to the everyday Brit trying to get on with their life and make ends meet.

According to new research conducted by health insurers Bupa, almost half of Britons could in fact be ‘stressed’, after the study of over 10,000 people found that in total, 44% said they were suffering from stress.

Of this group, for over a quarter, the problem of stress appeared to be a chronic issue with 28% admitted to feeling this way for over a year. Worryingly, 27% believe they are often feeling “close to breaking point”.

However, stress levels were not equal amongst the sexes, and across varying age groups. For example, it was discovered that stress levels seemed to be highest within those aged between 45 and 54.

It was found that 50% of this age group are stressed, in comparison to 38% of those aged 55 and over. Women are more likely to regard themselves as stressed – 49% say they are suffering from stress, compared to only 39% of men. Unsurprisingly, given the horrendous credit crunch in the UK, the primary cause of anxiety and stress according to the respondents was money, then work, family life and coping trying to live with a long-term health problem.

Demographically, it was revealed that people living in the Midlands are likely to be the most stress in the country – 46% saying they are stressed.

At the other end of the scale, the Welsh appear to be least stressed, with 40% saying they are suffering from stress, although this could still be considered quite high and not drastically different from the estimated proportion of those stressed in the Midlands.

Dr Martin Baggaley, medical director at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust said: “This research shows stress is extremely common in this country. While low-level and irregular bouts of stress can be beneficial and manageable, it’s concerning to see that so many people are experiencing sustained and relentless stress. If left unchecked for a prolonged period of time, stress can cause much more serious, long-term mental and physical illnesses such as anxiety and depression, and be a contributing factor in health problems such as heart disease and even obesity.”

Alarmingly, stress seems to cause many people to turn to alcohol, with 30% of men and 22% of women admitting to drinking more during stressful times. In addition, only 61% would only seek help if they struggle to cope with daily life.

Dr Baggaley added: “There is agrowing problem of long-term stress in this country, which needs to be addressed.  It’s important that people realise that stress is not just something that you have to put up with. If you recognise that you are under unusual pressure, try self-help techniques – for example deep breathing, taking exercise and avoiding unhealthy behaviours – these can all make a real difference and help you to feel back in control. If self-help isn’t having an effect, or if you’re concerned about your stress levels or feeling very anxious, you should always talk to your GP or a healthcare professional.”

Contraceptive pills now as popular as condoms among under-15s

Although according to the law they shouldn’t even be having sex to start with, new figures to be published show that the contraceptive pill is now as popular as condoms among under-15s for the first time ever.

The figures are part of a report compiled by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), which demonstrate an interesting variation in contraception trends and preferences around the country.

More teenage girls than ever are now preferring to use oral contraceptives to avoid unwanted pregnancies, although health experts are still trying to hammer home the important message that condom use should still be maintained to safeguard against the vast number of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

In March of this, year shocking statistics emerged that showed in the previous three years more than 15,000 under-16s were diagnosed with STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and genital herpes.

At the time, Lisa Powers, policy director at the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: “We are suffering in this country from poor sexual health. This is partly down to the fact that we have had generations of people who have not had sex and relationships education in school. Young people are under more pressure than ever before because they do not just learn about sex in the playground, but also on the internet. Young people are not being taught about the dangers of having sex without a condom.”

The HSCIC report states that in 2012, around 6,600 young girls under the age of 15, or 39% of those who attended NHS contraceptive clinics, said the contraceptive they used was the pill. In comparison, 6,900 (40%) had used condoms.

Usage of oral contraceptives has continued to rise in recent years and have always been popular in older teenage and adult groups. Contraceptive pills such as Dianette and Yasmin are two popular examples, with each also incredibly effective at treating acne and hirsutism.

However, it is only now that first the pill is now comparable to condoms among under-15s.
For instance, figures from in 2011-12 show condoms as a primary contraception method for 46% of teenagers at the clinics, whilst only 36% listed the pill.

Jason Warriner, clinical director at sexual health charity the Terrence Higgins Trust, believes it would make sense to have regular STI screenings for those prescribed contraception.

He said: “The good thing is young teenagers are accessing contraception services, going on the pill or getting something like the implant. But it is vital to make sure when they start on a form of contraception they are offered an STI screening at the same time and are given advice about using condoms in addition to their chosen form of contraception. It is about using condoms to reduce the risk of STIs and HIV. The key message is for people to regularly get tested, when they change partners and ensuring their partners are tested as well. I would like to see every woman who is on the pill offered STI screening each time they receive a repeat prescription, every three to six months. For girls under 15, they fall within the national chlamydia screening programme, but that only tests for one infection. The key message is about prevention, using condoms to prevent getting an infection and building that around your contraceptive needs.”

20% tax on sugary drinks could ease Britain’s obesity crisis

Researchers say that if a 20% tax was slapped onto all sugary drinks then this would help to bring down the total number of obese adults in the UK by an estimated 180,000.

Writing in the British Medical Journal, the researchers from Oxford and Reading argue that the 20% tax on Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Fanta and other sugar-sweetened drinks, would help to curb the worrying rise in sales of such drinks which they say is merely adding fuel to the fire of the nation’s obesity crisis.

The authors of the paper have spent time to calculate both the financial impact of introducing a 20% tax, and how much effect it could have in regards to trying to curtail the problem of obesity.

Dr Adam Briggs, lead study author from the Nuffield Department of Population Health at Oxford University, said their research has shown that taxing sugar-sweetened drinks “is a promising population measure”.

He commented: “Sugar-sweetened drinks are known to be bad for health and our research indicates that a 20% tax could result in a meaningful reduction in the number of obese adults in the UK. Such a tax is not going to solve obesity by itself, but we have shown it could be an effective public health measure and should be considered alongside other measures to tackle obesity in the UK.”

Dr Briggs and colleagues modelled the health effects of a 20% by using the information extracted from several separate surveys. These surveys had provided data on the trends of drink purchases, drinks consumption, and the prevalence of obesity throughout the UK.

They calculated that a 20% tax would equate to a 60p can of 330ml Coca-Cola now costing 72p, and help to cut the number of overweight adults in the UK by 0.9% (285,000 adults) and reduce the number of obese adults by 1.3% (180,000) adults. The tax would also result in roughly 40p being added to the cost of two-litre bottle.

The age group most effected would likely be those aged 16 to 29 the researchers say, as these typically consume a lot more sugary drinks in comparison to other age groups.

Because it is merely the over 30s who would be impacted by the introduction of the tax, this has led to some groups arguing that the tax would be misguided and simplistic, not having much of an impact on older people who could actually benefit most from losing weight.

Gavin Partington, director general of the British Soft Drinks Association, argued that soft drinks should not be blamed for Britain’s obesity problems.

He said: “There’s ample evidence to suggest that taxing soft drinks won’t curb obesity, not least because its causes are far more complex than this simplistic approach implies. Indeed, the latest official guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence points to the need to look at overall diet and lifestyle. Trying to blame one set of products is misguided, particularly when they comprise a mere 2% of calories in the average diet.”

In addition, Tom Sanders, professor of nutrition and dietetics at King’s College London, argued that the findings of the study were somewhat “naive”.

He said: “Most nutritionists agree it would be better to drink water than sugar-sweetened beverages. However, many consumers like sweet drinks and if they could not afford to buy sugary fizzy drinks they can always revert to drinking tea with added sugar as in the past. The cost of sugar-sweetened beverages is currently so low that any price increase would be so marginal that it would be unlikely to affect intake.”

However, the facts do not lie when it comes to fizzy drinks and the fact remains that a typical sugary drink still contains a shocking six to 15 teaspoons of sugary. Just one teaspoon of sugary works out at around 16 calories and 4g of sugar. On top of this, a regular consumption of the drinks has been linked to an increase in the risk of tooth decay and diabetes as well as obesity.

In fact, earlier this year doctors led calls for a tax on sugary drinks, in addition to other recommendations such as the number of fast food outlets close by to schools and colleges to be severely limited and a ban on junk food advertising before the watershed.

New York’s smoking laws due to be tightened

In the UK we have just come to the end of Stoptober, which finished on 28 October. The campaign was to encourage smokers to think about their health and the dangers of tobacco, in the hope that many will stop smoking for good.

However, across the Atlantic Ocean it seems our American counterparts are just as dedicated to reducing the number of people smoking with the fantastic news that New York City Council has voted to increase the minimum age for buying cigarettes from 18 to 21.

The current age limit of 18 years of age is a federal minimum that is standard in many places. Smokers are banned from smoking in any New York park and beach, in addition to the majority of the city’s restaurants.

The banning of anyone under the age of 21 purchasing or being sold cigarettes in New York City is amongst the strictest anti-smoking legislation in the U.S., and will be set at a higher age than nearly all other areas of the U.S. with the exception of just a few select places.

Those who lobbied for the change in the law have pointed to disappointing city statistics that show smoking rates for the youth of New York City has plateaued at 8.5% since 2007.

New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg, is a strong advocate for anti-smoking measures and he now has 30 days to sign-off the bill. After this, the bill will be activated 180 days later.

“We know that tobacco dependence can begin very soon after a young person first tries smoking so it’s critical that we stop young people from smoking before they ever start,” Bloomberg said in a statement.

Mr Bloomberg had initially attempted to pass through legislation that would force all shops to have cigarettes out of public view, but this plan was scrapped earlier this year.

Another measure to be pushed through by New York City council members will see a base price of $10.50 (£6.55) being set for a packet of cigarettes and to bolster law enforcement’s role in the trade of illegal tobacco sales and distribution.

“This will literally save many, many lives,” said city councillor James Gennaro, the bill’s sponsor, whose mother and father died from tobacco-related illnesses. “I’ve lived with it, I’ve seen it…but I feel good today.”

As expected, cigarette companies have hit back and argue youths who smoke will simply turn to the black market to obtain their cigarettes, whilst there are those who consider it absurd that a person deemed to be old/mature enough to serve in the military is then told they are not old enough to smoke.

“New York City already has the highest cigarette tax rate and the highest cigarette smuggling rate in the country,” said Bryan D. Hatchell, a spokesman for R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which produces Camel and various other brands. “Those go hand in hand and this new law will only make the problem worse.”

Following yesterday’s vote, New York is now the largest city by some distance to ban the sake of cigarettes to 19 and 20-year-olds and a similar ban could occur in Hawaii, depending on the vote in December.

Presently, Needham, Massachusetts already has a minimum tobacco-buying age of 21 in, and this age will also be applied come January in nearby Canton, Massachusetts. New Jersey are also contemplating the same approach to buying cigarettes too.