Topics: Alcohol, US News, Health, Sex and Relationships
Doctors have issued a warning over 'summer penis' and reveal who may be most at risk of it.
If you've heard about what happens to your manhood in the winter ('winter penis'), you might be surprised to hear the summer months can also present some problems down there as it's not just the cold that can wreak havoc on intimacy.
It all comes down to temperature, as doctors claim some men might experience shrinkage of up to 50 percent in length when exposed to air temperature below 60°F.
And with the summer heat and hike in mercury, it can make the penis seem slightly larger or fuller, which doesn't sound so bad.
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But a doctor has revealed three key reasons why blokes may experience difficulties in the bedroom during the summer months.
Medics say the phenomenon of 'summer penis' is a simple biological reaction to the heat as blood vessels expand instinctively to help cool us down.
Essentially, while the temperature heats up, our sexual activity in the bedroom could be a little less spicy as a result.
Doctor Donald Grant, a GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, told The Daily Mail that warm weather can pose 'many health conditions' and 'exacerbate symptoms' like erectile dysfunction (ED).
Dr Grant explained: "One of the main ways warmer weather can affect ED symptoms is through dehydration.
"When we become dehydrated, our bodies reduce blood volume, making it more difficult for men with penile issues to achieve and maintain an erection."
Another issue is likely to come from fatigue and tiredness, not only brought on by a lack of sleep from the tossing and turning in the heat at night but from a biological perspective too.
"The warmer weather forces our bodies to work harder to maintain a safe internal temperature, which can often trigger fatigue," he continued.
"Poor sleep can have a direct impact on hormone production, limiting the amount of testosterone produced, which, in turn, worsens ED symptoms and makes achieving an erection more difficult."
To cool down, many of us might be inclined to reach for a nice chilled alcoholic beverage, which can also have a detrimental side effect on the genitals.
He explained: "[A]lcohol can have an extremely negative impact on ED symptoms, lowering blood pressure and affecting blood flow to the gentile area.
"Long-term, unhealthy alcohol consumption can damage nerves and blood vessels, further impacting men with this condition."
Meanwhile, doctor Bhavini Shah, a GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor, told the news outlet that stress plays a big part in ED.
"Chronic stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions can make it harder to get and keep an erection," she said.
"When we're stressed or anxious, our body releases hormones that can affect the blood vessels responsible for erections.
"Stress and anxiety can also make us lose interest in sex and have difficulty concentrating. Plus, these negative feelings can make us turn to unhealthy habits like smoking or drinking alcohol, which can make ED worse."
