'Stress can eat into relationships'

Stress of modern life - work difficulties, financial worries and tiredness - affects the sexual relationship between couples, say British researchers.

Sex is considered to be one of the great stress relievers. But what happens when stress sabotages your sex life? Well, it endangers relationships. Researchers in Britain have carried out a study and found that the stress of modern life -- work difficulties, financial worries and tiredness -- affects the sexual relationship between couples, the

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Daily Mail

reported.

"This research really emphasises the extent to which sexual problems, including stress, take on a bigger significance within the relationship.

"I have worked with many couples who are so embarrassed about intimate health complaints that it has caused a huge breakdown in communication and put serious pressure on the relationship.

"Talking to a partner or a professional candidly about the issue is not easy, but it may save a great deal of emotional strain," lead researcher Denise Knowles was quoted by the British daily as saying. In fact, the researchers at Relate came to the conclusion after surveying 2,037 people in Britain.

According to their findings, half of those surveyed admitted that stress or medical issues admitted had affected their sex lives with loss of libido or discomfort the biggest problems. Three in five admitted, however, to struggling to talk about personal difficulties.

The women found to be most susceptible to sexual health problems were those aged over 55. Seven out of ten in this category said their age had left them suspecting their partner found them unattractive. Fewer than half of the respondents said they regularly discussed their sex lives.