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How slouching in your chair could be making you worse in bed
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ARE you currently slouched over your desk or curled up around your phone?
This next bit might have you sitting up straight, as a men's health specialist has warned that poor posture could be making you worse in bed.
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You've probably heard that slouching isn't the best thing for your spine.
But according to GP Dr Jeff Foster, a bowed back and shoulders could also be causing your todger to slump.
That's right - poor posture could have a number of ramifications on your performance in the sack, causing erectile dysfunction, weak erections and making it hard for you to climax at all, the men's health expert told Metro.
Sinking over your desk at work or crumpling into your chair can over time weaken your core muscles.
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These are connected to your pelvic floor muscles, which can become tighter and weaker as a result of the increased pressure exerted on them by poor posture.
Dr Foster said: "When it comes to your penis, having tight pelvic floor muscles can mean these muscles aren’t as strong, which can reduce sexual stamina (with weaker erections) and even weaker ejaculation, which can mean a weaker orgasm all round.
"Issues with the pelvic floor muscles can lead to problems with the pelvic floor organs which can lead to urine leakage, pain when going to the toilet, pelvic pain and pressure in the penis and testicle area.
"You can also have difficulty achieving an erection, and a far less enjoyable climax, if you’re able to climax at all."
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Posture can also reduce energy levels overall, making you more fatigued and less likely to get aroused and achieve an erection during a sexual encounter, Dr Foster added.
How can I tell if my posture is bad?
Dr Foster told Metro that poor posture is evident through "rounded shoulders, a hunched back and even a head that leans forward or backwards slightly".
A potbelly is another sign, due the weakening or core and pelvic floor muscles.
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Over time, bad posture can cause neck and back pain as well as problems in the bedroom.
Meghan Markowski, a physical therapist at Brigham and Women's Hospital told Harvard Health that other surprising side effects include incontinence - due to the pressure slouching puts on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles - and constipation, on top of heartburn and slowed digestion.
How can I correct my poor posture?
The first thing you need to think about is getting your spine into neutral position, Dr Foster - who works with Eroxon - said.
"To get into a good standing posture, stand against a wall so that the back of your head, shoulder blades and bum touch the wall.
"Heels should be just slightly away from the wall. Place your hand behind your lower back. If you’re finding it easy to slide your hand there, flatten your back gently against the wall. You should barely be able to get your hand in this gap."
He also gave tips on achieving good posture while sitting - a must if you spend long periods of your working day sat at a desk.
They include making sure your screen is at eye height when you're sitting, placing your feet flat on the floor and having your forearms resting comfortably on your desk.
Simply sorting your posture can get your pelvic muscles working and potentially allowing for better blood flow to the penis.
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This can boost your chances of achieving better erections, as good blood flow is key for them.
"Erections occur when the penis is engorged by blood," Dr Foster explained.
What is erectile dysfunction?
ERECTILE dysfunction - also known as impotence - is very common, especially in men over 40.
Erectile dysfunction is when you are either:
- Unable to get an erection
- Unable to keep an erection for long enough to have sex
Depending on the cause, you may still be able to get an erection at other times, such as when you wake up.
Sometimes you might also have low sex drive.
It's not usually the sign of something serious but you should speak to a GP about it, especially if it's causing you distress.
Possible causes include stress, tiredness, having too much booze, as well as some medicines.
But if your ED is persistent, it might be caused by:
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Depression or anxiety
- Hormone problems