WEARING socks when getting down and dirty can be controversial — but doctors say it can improve your sex.
While your partner might not appreciate it at first, keeping them on can reduce your risk of erectile dysfunction, experts reckon.
Dr Paul Van Der Westhuizen, of Medichecks, said anything you can do to stay warm in the bedroom helps reduce the chances of failing to perform in winter.
He said: “Research shows that as much as 80 per cent of men and women reach orgasm when they keep their socks on, compared to 50 per cent without socks on.
“It’s thought that this is because keeping their socks on helped to keep their body temperature higher.
“So, you can still bare it all, just keep those socks on to help your body maintain a good temperature.”
More than half of men aged 40 to 70 suffer erectile dysfunction (ED), which makes it difficult to achieve or maintain an erection.
It can be a symptom of underlying conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.
And vasoconstriction — a natural reaction to feeling cold — can also increase the chances.
It is a “protection method in which the body draws blood away from extremities” like the fingers, toes and penis, Dr Van Der Westhuizen said.
This can hamper erections, which rely on good blood flow to the penis.
He said: “A simple method of helping prevent this is by keeping your bedroom a comfortable temperature for you and your partner.
“Anything to keep your body’s core warmer will help, like staying under the covers during sex, or even the age-old controversy of keeping your socks on.”
Dr Van Der Westhuizen also shared four other tips on how to reduce your risk of ED in the colder months.
Weight gain is common around the festive period and weeks afterwards, with people reducing how much they exercise and eating and drinking more than usual.
This can cause problems with maintaining an erection, Dr Van Der Westhuizen said.
He said: “Making small changes such as doing a home workout or joining a gym class can help to boost your daily activity levels.
“Make sure you’re getting your five a day, and eating balanced meals to help you regulate your weight and energy levels.
“Endorphins from the workout will also help you feel good, meaning you’ll be more likely to be in the mood for sex, and struggle less with seasonal erectile dysfunction.”
As you age, it is normal to see you levels of testosterone — the male sex hormone — reduce, which can cause ED.
Tests can show if you are suffering from low testosterone and your GP can refer you to a hormone specialist that can offer testosterone replacement if you are suffering a deficiency.
Dr Van Der Westhuizen said: “If you’re worried about your testosterone levels being significantly lower than normal, a testosterone test can help you figure out what’s going on.
“With the results, you can speak to a doctor confidently to get help whether that be through medication, or lifestyle changes.
“If you suspect you could have an imbalance, it’s worth speaking to a medical professional so that you can be prescribed the correct treatment.”
Stress is another key risk factor for ED, but there are a range of ways you can keep levels at bay.
Dr Van Der Westhuizen said: “Taking time to properly switch off from work, and to invest time with your partner to do things you enjoy can help you relax enough that intimacy doesn’t feel as daunting.
“If you’re particularly struggling, take more time for the things that relax you, or speak to a professional if you feel you need support.
“If you find yourself experiencing high levels of stress all year round, it’s important to get help as it can have many negative effects on your mental and physical health aside from erectile dysfunction.”
It is common to suffer seasonal affective disorder (SAD) — a type of depression — in winter, leading many to take antidepressants.
However, some Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) can cause ED as a side effect, Dr Van Der Westhuizen said.
He said: “If this is causing you a lot of grief, it would definitely be worth speaking to your GP and looking at other treatment options.
“It’s always important to speak to a professional before making any changes to your medication.
“Stopping antidepressants abruptly can be very dangerous, but exploring the options with your GP will hopefully give you one less thing to affect your mood during the gloomy winter months.”
