Not tonight, Josephine - I've put my back out again...' Why SEVEN million of us have stopped having sex due to back pain (so that could be 14 million people affected)

Back pain is proving to be a real passion killer in millions of bedrooms throughout the UK as sufferers cope by slapping a ‘no-sex’ embargo on their partners.

A recent survey of 2,056 people by back pain specialist bac< to co-incide with the launch of its new range of back care products has revealed that 14 per cent of adults – around 6.8 million people – have stopped having sex due to the debilitating effects of back pain.

More than 18 million people have back pain in the UK, with one in four women and one in five men currently suffering

Of those who had suffered from chronic or acute back pain, a quarter (24 per cent) admitted to it causing poor mental health while a third (35 per cent) confessed the pain made them short-tempered. Some 15 per cent even said that the pain had made them cry while at work and 12 per cent of people surveyed found themselves arguing with family, friends and colleagues.

It seems that as well as sufferers and their partners feeling the brunt of back ache, it is also affecting relationships with children, friends, colleagues and even pets.

 

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Over a fifth of people said it had a negative effect on their work and study, one in ten said that they couldn’t take care of their pets, including walking their dog, and a quarter felt unable to do any housework when back pain hit. Some 19 per cent said they were prevented from enjoying their hobbies, 14 per cent weren’t able to drive anywhere and a shocking eight per cent couldn’t even look after their children.

Many different factors could contribute to back pain, such as poor posture, sitting down at work all day and poor mattresses

As a result of all this, back pain significantly impacted on a sufferers’ wellbeing with 57 per cent of those surveyed left feeling helpless and demotivated. Some said it caused trouble at work, others believed it had a negative effect on family and friends and a hefty 16 per cent said it led to them gaining weight.

Back pain is the second most common reason for taking time off work and can be the result of many different factors, such as a childhood or sporting injury, too much time sitting at a desk or cradling a phone against your shoulder, lifting weights incorrectly, sleeping badly or suffering from stress. 

Mark Critchley, bac< spokesperson said: 'Back pain affects lives in all sorts of ways, both physically and mentally, and not just for the sufferer but also for the people they come into contact with. While it is debilitating and emotionally draining, there are solutions out there to combat the pain in terms of exercise, medication and now by using the appropriate product from our new bac< range.' 

Sports stars such as golfer Tiger Woods and England cricketer James Anderson have suffered from back pain

The bac< range has been developed in conjunction with back experts from The London Spine Clinic to alleviate and prevent back pain. Starting at just £24.99 in selected Boots stores, www.boots.com and www.backpainhelp.com, the products include a back massager, shoulder brace, back brace and sacroiliac belt.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2500394/Not-tonight-Josephine--Ive--Why-SEVEN-million-stopped-having-sex-pain-14-million-people-affected.html#ixzz2kOHkLAhJ 
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Not tonight, darling, EastEnders is on: The excuses MEN give for avoiding sex

Other excuses included being put off by peeping cats and dogs and being too full after a large meal

Experts fear some men are avoiding sex to hide erectile dysfunction problems

 

As far as excuses go, turning down an intimate night of passion with a woman to watch an episode of a soap opera, may not rest easy in some households.

But incredulously, it seems men are just as likely as women to make up excuses for not having sex - blaming the weather or being too busy watching EastEnders.

New research has found that 60 per cent of men have told their partner they are too tired for sex, while nearly half said they were not in the mood.

Some men would rather watch TV - even if it is EastEnders - than have sex with their partners, research has shown

However the survey of nearly 2,000 people also found that seven per cent of men stated that they never get an erection any more - and many may be avoiding sex to hide their erectile dysfunction.

Furthermore, just 16 per cent of women realise that their partners have been affected by erectile dysfunction, according to the poll by Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor.

Other excuses dreamed up by men to avoid sex included being put off by peeping cats and dogs, being too busy playing the computer game Call of Duty, and being too full after a large meal.

 

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However, medics warned that, in reality, the reason could be down to the fact that a quarter of men admit they have been affected by erectile dysfunction at some point in their lifetime. 

The research, released to mark the broadcast of the first UK TV advert to promote an erectile dysfunction service, highlights how much pressure men can put themselves under in the bedroom.

Experts believe some men avoid sex to hide erectile dysfunction

Almost a fifth of the men surveyed (17 per cent) said that they thought being unable to get an erection immediately after starting sexual activity signified a problem. 

Half of the men said that anything between one and five minutes could be a sign of erectile dysfunction.

Nearly one in four men say they no longer have sex at all, a figure that increases to 42 per cent for those aged over 55. 

Although 47 per cent of men said they would turn to a medical professional in their time of need and 24 per cent would talk to their partners, there still seemed to be some reluctance to broach the subject of erectile dysfunction.

Other excuses dreamed up by men to avoid sex included included being put off by peeping cats and dogs

Worryingly, 21 per cent of men said they wouldn’t feel comfortable talking to anyone about the condition.

Despite many people believing that erectile dysfunction is most likely to affect men aged 56 to 65, Lloydspharmacy Online Doctor, Dr Tom Brett said: 'Erectile dysfunction can affect any man at any stage in his life, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of intimacy. 

Other excuses dreamed up by men to avoid sex included being too busy playing the computer game Call of Duty

'Despite remaining a taboo among men, it’s more common than people realise, and can be brought on by many different circumstances.

'It’s important that men feel comfortable talking to a medical professional about their ability to achieve and maintain an erection. 

'Not only is there a wealth of effective treatments available, but erectile dysfunction can be symptomatic of a more serious undiagnosed underlying health problem, such as diabetes or heart disease, so it’s worth getting it checked out.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2270252/The-excuses-MEN-avoiding-sex.html#ixzz2JTjZL5TV 
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