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Blokes who snore frequently are 'more likely' to experience issues during sex

Men who snore frequently are likely to experience erection issues, according to UK health experts. There are some things you may want to know about the link between the two

[Men who snore are said to be likely to suffer with erection problems ]

Men who snore are said to be likely to suffer with erection problems (Image: Getty Images)

If you're a bloke who snores a lot, you might want to start paying attention to what's happening below the belt.

That's because sleep problems could be causing havoc with your erections. Experts claim sleep apnoea may contribute to the development or worsening of erectile dysfunction (ED).

Sleep apnoea is a disorder which causes interrupts breathing during some shut eye. These interruptions can take place multiple times throughout the night and last for several seconds to minutes.

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This repetitive waking up throughout the night not only impacts a person's alertness, mood and energy levels, but it can also affect the way blood moves around the body.

"Intermittent drops in oxygen, caused by repeated pauses in breathing, affect the ability of blood vessels to dilate properly", explained Abbas Kanani, superintendent pharmacist of Chemist Click.

"Impaired blood vessel function can lead to difficulties in achieving or maintaining an erection.

"Heightened sympathetic activity can cause vasoconstriction where blood vessels become constricted, and interfere with the mechanisms involved in achieving an erection."

[Men who snore are said to be likely to suffer with erection problems ]

There's said to be a link between the two (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Stress and anxiety, which can be made worse by sleep apnoea, could also lead to problems getting an erection. If you're worried about not being able to get it up, this can make the problem even worse.

The pharmacist also said men should keep an eye on their hormone levels "because disruptions can cause you problems down below", and impact your sex life.

Mr Kanani added: "Hormone levels, including testosterone, decrease as men age. Testosterone is the primary hormone associated with the male libido, and a low testosterone level can affect a mans sex drive."

As men get older, they are more likely to experience ED. It's thought half of blokes between the ages of 40 and 70 will have some degree of ED.

Sleep is really important for our bodies and helps us stay healthy. If you don't get enough good quality sleep, it can affect your mood, energy levels and sex drive which could lead to problems getting an erection regularly.

Issues such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes are health conditions linked to erectile dysfunction, and often relate to sleep apnea too. Nerve and artery damage caused by diabetes can also make achieving an erection difficult.

[Men who snore are said to be likely to suffer with erection problems ]

Lots of things can lead to ED(Image: Getty Images/Tetra images RF)

Detecting sleep apnoea can be found out by looking for signs like:

• You're breathing suddenly stopping and starting while asleep
• Making gasping, snorting, snoring or choking noises when sleeping
• Constantly feeling extremely tired during the day

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Sometimes, dealing with sleep apnoea is as simple as making changes to your lifestyle like managing weight, stopping smoking and drinking less alcohol. These changes can also help to improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

If not spotted and sorted out, sleep apnoea can result in further health problems like high blood pressure, a higher risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression or mood swings.

It could also increase the risk of serious accidents due to tiredness and trouble focusing at work or school.

Mr Kanani added: "If you're experiencing symptoms of sleep apnea or erectile dysfunction, it's important to speak to your GP for an assessment and appropriate treatment."

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