Unhealthy lifestyle linked to sexual problems

London: Weight problems, physical inactivity, excessive drinking, smoking, and hard drugs -- facets of an unhealthy lifestyle may be linked with sexual malfunctioning in men.Additionally, people who are sexually inactive also tend to have unhealthy lifestyles, says a new study from Denmark.

Researchers led by associate professor Morten Frisch, of Statens Serum Institut, Denmark, used national survey data from 5,552 Danish men and women aged 16-97 years in 2005 to study the link between lifestyle factors with sexual inactivity and sexual dysfunction. Results found that a number of unhealthy lifestyle factors are associated with heightened risk of not having a partner-related sex life by up to 78 percent in men and up to 91 percent in women, reports the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Among those who had a sexual partner, risk of experiencing sexual dysfunction was greater in men who lead unhealthy lives by 71 percent in those with substantially increased waist and more than 800 percent in men using hard drugs, according to a Statens statement. Women who used hashish had almost three times increased risk of anorgasmia (difficulties or inability to reach climax during sexual activity with a partner) compared to non-users. "Knowing about possible negative consequences of an unhealthy lifestyle to one`s sexual health may help people quit smoking, consume less alcohol, exercise more, and lose weight," Frisch said. Irwin Goldstein, editor-in-chief of the Journal of Sexual Medicine, said: "There are many reasons for sexual dysfunction, including those over which you have no control, such as after cancer treatments, or following injuries." IANS