Millions of blokes give up sex over shame of erectile dysfunction, not realising it can be cured

MILLIONS of blokes who flop in bed have given up on sex because they are too embarrassed to address the problem, a study suggests.

Around 11.7million fellas in the UK struggle to rise to the occasion, with one in eight experiencing problems every time.

This has led one in five of those affected, some 2.5million men, to give up romping altogether.

Two million victims say erectile dysfunction has damaged their relationships and it has contributed to one million breakups.

One in three impotent blokes have not confided in their partner, preferring instead to make up excuses for avoiding sex.

The most common include being tired from work or the gym, feeling unwell or being too drunk, the poll of 2,000 fellas reveals.

Almost six in ten men aged 25 to 34 have struggled to get or maintain a stiffy and half have avoided sex because of “performance anxiety”.

Only one in three sufferers of any age has sought help from a health professional.

The same number has not told anybody because they do not think there is a solution.

Dr Kathryn Basford, from online GP service Zava, which commissioned the poll, said: “Men today are under rising pressure to ‘perform’.

“Worry about living up to male stereotypes, insecurity about their bodies, and wider stresses can all play a part in the bedroom.

“Whatever the potential causes, it's always worth having a conversation with a doctor.”

Treatment for erectile dysfunction depends on the underlying reasons for the condition.

In many cases a man will experience impotency because he's stressed, tired, anxious or drinking too much - which is generally nothing to worry about.

But when it happens more often, it's likely to be caused by physical or emotional issues.

Where erectile dysfunction is caused by a narrowing of the blood vessels in the penis, high blood pressure or high cholesterol, drugs to tackle those conditions can help.

ED can also be down to hormone imbalances, which can be treated using hormone replacement - a boost of testosterone in many cases.

Taking some common medications also comes with the side effect of ED, so doctors can tweak a man's drugs for other conditions if necessary.

And lifestyle changes including losing weight, stopping smoking, eating a healthy diet and exercising daily are all known ways to improve a man's erection.

Viagra and other similar drugs can also be used to treat ED.

Prescriptions of Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs containing the active ingredient sildenafil have tripled in Britain in a decade.

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