Maintain a Healthy Sex Life

Every day stresses and strains can often take their toll in the bedroom. But, there are many strategies that will keep your intimate life active and fulfilling without resorting to medication.

Fix your finances

Money worries come high on the list of stresses that can damage your sex life. A 2011 study of couples found that anxiety over finances, added to increased working hours and the stress of juggling jobs and children were all cited as reasons for having

less sex. Money worries were particularly significant in the reduction of men’s libido. Balance the books to increase your intimacy.

Change your medication?

Failure to achieve an erection (ED) becomes more common as men age.

This common condition is usually the result of an unhealthy lifestyle (such as smoking or being overweight), but may be a side effect of prescription drugs that interfere with nerve signals to the penis. The top ‘culprits’ are beta-blockers, which are used to treat heart problems and high blood pressure; antihistamines, taken for allergies; and antidepressants. If you have been suffering from ED and suspect that a drug you are taking may be the cause, ask your doctor if an alternative medication that does not have this side effect might be suitable.

Don’t fret about your heart

For most people, having an orgasm is completely heart healthy. Unless you suffer from a very specific heart complaint, it’s no more likely to bring on a heart attack than any other physical exertion. So try not to be worried about having sex unless your doctor has warned you not to. What’s most important is to keep fit and active so that you’re able to cope easily with strenuous activities of all kinds – in and out of the bedroom. There’s also evidence that regular sex can benefit your heart health.

Don’t self-medicate

It’s unwise to take medications such as sildenafil ( Viagra) to treat ED without advice from your doctor. He or she will explain how to use the drug safely to minimise the risks and side effects.

Have a hug – if you’re a man

When it comes to satisfaction in longterm relationships it turns out, contrary to expectation, that men need to cuddle more than women. In a study of heterosexual couples carried out in the US by the Kinsey Institute, men who reported frequent kissing and cuddling with their partners were, on average, three times happier with their relationships than those who did so infrequently. For women, what was more important was a long-term relationship accompanied by good sex.