FOR most men it's up there with their worst nightmare.

Yet, not rising to the challenge in the bedroom is more common than most think.

9 Erectile dysfunction can be very distressing for men and there any many things that can cause it Credit: Getty - Contributor

Most men over the age of 40 will experience erectile dysfunction at some point, the NHS reveals.

Despite this, it can cause a huge amount of distress, and put undue stress on a relationship, often causing it to break down.

For men who have experienced impotency, it can also lead to mental health problems like depression and anxiety.

In many cases it will be a temporary problem, brought on by stress and other lifestyle factors.

So what are the everyday things that could be ruining your hard on? Here we reveal nine things that could be to blame, and how to combat their effects...

1. Running too much

Sorry marathon runners, this might be hard to read.

And to everyone else, it's certainly not an excuse to stop exercising.

9 Men who run more than 40 miles a week may experience a drop in testosterone levels, which can cause impotence Credit: Getty - Contributor

Running 40 or more miles per week could cause your testosterone levels to drop by as much as 17 per cent, research from the University of British Columbia found.

They also found too much running could disrupt the signals between your brain and your hormone producing glands, which may explain the drop in testosterone.

Low testosterone levels are one of the first physical things that cause erectile dysfunction.

2. 'Healthy' coffees

9 If you've been putting soy milk in your coffee you may want to think again...soy products can mimic the female sex hormone oestrogen Credit: Getty - Contributor

Opting for soy milk over regular might make you feel like you're making a healthy choice, but it might not score you any points in the bedroom.

Soy has strong oestrogen-like properties, which can reduce your bodies testosterone levels, according to a Harvard Medical School study.

Every man has natural levels of oestrogen in his body, but if they become out of balance it can trigger problems like impotency, a higher voice and even "moobs" (man boobs).

A little won't do a lot of damage, but if you eat enough it could potentially upset your hormones.

It's not just soy you need to watch out for either, beer has oestrogen-like properties as well.

That's because the hops used to make the tipple mimic the female sex hormone.

But don't worry, you're more likely to suffer erectile dysfunction from drinking too much alcohol than the oestrogen in beer.

3. Sugar

9 Eating too much sugar can cause problems with your blood flow and type 2 diabetes, which can both lead to impotence Credit: Getty - Contributor

If dessert is your favourite meal of the day then this isn't good news for you.

Too much sugar can cause spikes in glucose levels in the blood.

Not only does that make your blood stickier, which can cause circulation problems, but it also increases your risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Both poor circulation and diabetes have been found to cause erectile dysfunction.

A man gets an erection when his penis swells full of blood, but if your blood doesn't circulate as well then you're bedroom antics won't be so swell.

4. Pitter patter of tiny feet

9 Studies have found that when a man hears a baby cry his testosterone levels drop and he becomes more nurturing Credit: Getty - Contributor

It goes without saying that sex will be off the cards for a while after a baby is born.

But it's not just because a woman needs to rest, or you're just too tired to get it up.

A 2015 study from the University of Michigan found that when men saw their infants in distress, or crying, it lowered their testosterone

Lead author Patty Kuo believes that when watching their distressed infant, fathers’ empathy for their children and the declining testosterone level shape how they respond, making them more empathetic.

But don't worry, your testosterone levels aren't likely to drop so much they will cause permanent impotence.



5. Not enough sleep

9 Not getting enough shut eye can leave your body struggling to produce enough testosterone to maintain a healthy sex life Credit: Getty - Contributor

Are you burning the candles at both ends, trying to fit in work, social life and home responsibilities?

Being constantly tired isn't the only side effect of not getting enough shut eye, poor sleep can also lead to poor erections.

Multiple studies have linked a lack of sleep to erectile dysfunction.

If you're not getting to recommended eight hours then your body doesn't have enough time to rest, recuperate and replenish testosterone levels you may have lost during the day.

You may be sensing a theme here, but low testosterone levels can cause erectile dysfunction.



6. Smoking

9 The toxins in cigarettes can damage the nerves and blood vessels in the penis Credit: Getty - Contributor

You know smoking is bad, it's written everywhere.

If that's not been enough to make you stop maybe this is: smoking causes erectile dysfunction.

The toxins in cigarette smoke cause damage to your blood vessels, which can make it harder for your blood to flow freely through your veins.

As mentioned above, when your blood flow is restricted it is harder to get and maintain an erection.

Smoking can also damage the nerves in your downstairs area, so being touched might not feel like it once did.

7. Cycling

9 Cycling for long periods of time has the potential to damage your penis, but you'd have to cycle for a long time to cause permanent damage Credit: Alamy

Thought you be safe switching from running to cycling? Think again.

OK, so a bit of cycling here and there isn't going to cause problems in the bedroom.

But those who do a lot of cycling might notice some problems.

Constant pressure from the seat, as well as lumps and bumps on the way, can damage the penis and make it go numb.

A 2005 review published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that four per cent of male cyclists who spent at least three hours per week on a bike experienced moderate to severe erectile dysfunction.

The general consensus among experts, though, is that cycling is unlikely to cause last damage below the belt.

8. Gender-bending chemicals

9 Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, has been found to interfere with the way hormones work Credit: Getty Images

You may have heard of chemicals called bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol S (BPS), often dubbed "gender-bending chemicals".

These chemicals arr found in plastic products, shopping receipts and even food packaging.

The chemicals have been linked to infertility and cancer.

In men they are thought to cause a drop in testosterone levels while mimicking oestrogen which can lead to, you guessed it, erectile dysfunction.

BPA is used to make plastics, including materials that come into contact with food, as is legal in the UK.

These include refillable drinks bottles and food storage containers, as well as the protective coatings and linings for food and drinks cans.

Though many charities and food safety bodies have declared there is very little risk from the levels of BPA found in most products.

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9. Your desk job

Everyone knows sitting for long periods of time is bad for your health, but there's another downside to your desk job that could be causing you harm: a vitamin D deficiency.

Not spending enough time in the sunshine can cause a vitamin D deficiency - something most Brits struggle with.

Studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D can cause your testosterone to drop...know know the drill with that.

But you don't need much time outside to get enough vitamin D, just 15 minutes is enough to replenish your stores.

Don't worry, not everyone who has low vitamin D will suffer with impotence.

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