A doctor has issued an urgent warning to England fans ahead of the nation’s World Cup opener – saying too much booze and too little sleep could leave some men struggling in the bedroom.
With the tournament in full swing overseas, supporters across the country are gearing up to cheer on the Three Lions.
But medical experts say matchday habits could have an unwanted impact on men’s sexual health.
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Dr Sophie Dix has sounded the alarm after new research revealed how British fans plan to enjoy the tournament.
A whopping 73% of men said they plan to drink alcohol while watching matches, while more than a third admitted they expect to sink more than three pints per game.
Meanwhile, 59% said they would stay up late to watch fixtures, even on work nights.
According to Dr Dix from MedExpress, the combination of alcohol and poor sleep could increase the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), as reported by Need To Know.
She said: “ED is multifactorial, meaning it can have many contributing factors, for example, alcohol, drugs and poor sleep.
“Alcohol has a diuretic effect, meaning it can cause you to urinate more frequently which can result in dehydration.
“This will reduce blood volume and circulation to the penis and can also increase levels of angiotensin, a hormone associated with ED.
“Excessive alcohol consumption can also impair the central nervous system, slowing down the communication between the brain and the penis, resulting in erectile dysfunction.”
The survey, conducted by MedExpress, gathered responses from 1,000 men across the UK.
Pubs are expected to be packed during the tournament after 38% of respondents said they planned to watch matches there, with many venues benefiting from extended opening hours due to late kick-offs.
The research also found that 5% of men said they were more likely to use recreational drugs, including cocaine, while watching this year’s World Cup.
Dr Dix said: “While not all recreational drugs have the same impact, the most common is the narrowing of the arteries, restricting blood flow to the penis.
“Some recreational drugs can also reduce libido, lower testosterone levels, and cause disruptions to brain chemistry and nerve signalling caused by the drugs themselves.
“Sleep hygiene plays an important role in your vascular health, hormonal regulation and psychological well-being, all of which can impact ED.
“Observational studies have suggested that men who regularly have inadequate sleep routines are more likely to experience ED.
“Therefore, it’s reasonable to believe that disturbing this for a sustained period over summer could impact male sexual health.”
The survey also revealed the growing reliance on erectile dysfunction treatments.
According to the findings, 19% of men said they would consider using treatments such as Viagra to help combat ED this summer.
However, experts have warned against combining such medication with recreational drugs.
Dr Dix added: “Taking erectile dysfunction treatments is generally considered low-risk for most people after moderate alcohol consumption; however, this is not the case if it is also combined with recreational drug use.
“It is strongly advised against using these medications, like Viagra, to help counteract the effects of ED caused by excessive alcohol or recreational drug use.
“Doing so can massively increase the risk of serious health issues, including heart attacks, cardiovascular strain, sudden drops in blood pressure, or even strokes.”
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