So, what can you do about it?

• Lifestyle changes: exercise more, learn stress-management techniques, find time to relax, and improve your time-management.
• Relationship changes: try to improve the communication in your relationship through honesty and open-mindedness and make an effort to spice up the relationship. See our article on improving your sex life for some tips!
• Obviously, if there is an underlying health problem, you will need to consult your physician. If you are struggling to change the situation on your own, make an appointment with a sexologist.

Erectile dysfunction

Buys says that approximately one in 10 men suffer from chronic or continuing erectile dysfunction. This figure increases to one in three in men over the age of fifty. Erectile dysfunction occurs when you are not able to achieve or maintain an erection suitable for penetration.

Persistent erectile dysfunction generally results in a loss of self-worth and feelings of inadequacy for both partners in the relationship.

The cause of erectile dysfunction may be physical (high blood pressure or heart disease), psychological, or a combination of the two. Psychological factors which play a role in perpetuating the problem include: stress, anxiety, concerns about sexual performance (and thus it becomes a self-perpetuating cycle), and financial or family worries.

"Often, the psychological problems are originally caused by physical symptoms," says Buys. "For example, a man might experience an episode of erectile dysfunction because he is very tired or stressed at work. This causes him to worry about it happening again ? which causes him to be more stressed ? which causes the erectile dysfunction to happen again. It is this kind of cycle that patients need psychological counselling for."

Premature ejaculation

The most common form of sexual dysfunction among men, premature ejaculation is a problem that roughly one third of men will have to deal with at some point. While this problem can occur at any age, it is most common among young men.

Although it is easily treated, often men are too shy or embarrassed to seek treatment. This can result in a decrease in self-confidence (thus perpetuating the problem) and a tendency to avoid relationships.

Click here to find out how to tackle premature ejaculation, as well as other sexual problems.