More Women Admit Stress Spoils Sex

23 April 2010

0Comments | Comment on this Article

A new survey has revealed that stress affects the sex drive of women more than men.

In a YouGov poll carried out for Channel 4’s hit medical series Embarrassing Bodies, 42%  of women surveyed felt that they had a lower sex drive, less interest in sex (23%) or were too tired for sex when they are stressed out (19%).

Contrary to popular belief this is higher than in men; 41% of males admitting their sex drive is affected by stress, in comparison to 43% of females.

In total, some 32% of people experience sexual dysfunction when stressed, whether that be through tiredness (19%), diminished sex drive (23%) or an affect on the sexual function (7%) . Among 25 – 44 year olds a massive 66% said they experienced some form of sexual dysfunction due to stress.

In spite of the stressful city economy during the recession, Londoners feel the least amount of effect on their sexual appetite when stressed, with only 17% admitting they have a lower sex drive or less interest in sex when stressed, and just 16% feel they are too tired for sex during periods of stress (33% total).

Londoners narrowly edge out the Scots at maintaining their sexual appetite when stressed, with only 36% of Scots saying that stress impinges on their sex lives.

Residents in the East of the England experience the greatest loss of sex drive with a massive 50% of people saying they have a lower sex drive/ less of an interest in sex (27%) and 23% feel too tired to have sex. it. A further 12% of men and women in the East also admit that stress physically affects their ability to perform sexually.

In the north, 36% admit stress affects their sex life; 25% in the south; 31% of the Welsh and 29% of those in the midlands all feel stress has a significant affect on their sexual prowess.

Dr Christian Jessen from Embarrassing Bodies says: “Stress can affect us all, from school children to city high flyers and it’s thought that 13.5 million work days were lost last year due to stress. It can be extremely embarrassing, causing bad skin, psoriasis, dandruff, smelly underarms and even sexual dysfunction.”

Sexual dysfunction isn’t the only side affect of stress on the body. Stress levels can be measured by testing for the stress hormone cortisol. Prolonged levels to cortisol in the blood stream, like those linked to chronic stress, have been shown to cause impaired cognitive performance, blood sugar imbalances, high blood pressure and lowered immunity.
 

To keep cortisol levels healthy and under control the body needs to relax after a stressful situation. Ironically sex is one of the ways in which to reduce your stress levels, along with exercise, meditation and breathing exercises.

0Comments | Be the first to comment!