Why men give excuses to avoid sex with their partners

But it seems men are just as likely as women to make up excuses for not having sex - blaming the weather or being too busy watching 'EastEnders', a new survey has revealed.

The research found that 60 percent of men have told their partner they are too tired for sex, while nearly half said they were not in the mood, the Daily Mail reported.

However the survey of nearly 2,000 people also found that 7 percent of men stated that they never get an erection any more - and many may be avoiding sex to hide their erectile dysfunction.

Furthermore, just 16 percent of women realise that their partners have been affected by erectile dysfunction, according to the poll by Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor.

Other excuses dreamed up by men to avoid sex included being put off by peeping cats and dogs, being too busy playing the computer game 'Call of Duty', and being too full after a large meal.

However, medics warned that, in reality, the reason could be down to the fact that a quarter of men admit they have been affected by erectile dysfunction at some point in their lifetime.

The research, released to mark the broadcast of the first UK TV advert to promote an erectile dysfunction service, highlights how much pressure men can put themselves under in the bedroom.

Almost a fifth of the men surveyed (17 percent) said that they thought being unable to get an erection immediately after starting sexual activity signified a problem.

Half of the men said that anything between one and five minutes could be a sign of erectile dysfunction.

Nearly one in four men said that they no longer have sex at all, a figure that increases to 42 percent for those aged over 55.

Although 47 percent of men said they would turn to a medical professional in their time of need and 24 percent would talk to their partners, there still seemed to be some reluctance to broach the subject of erectile dysfunction.

21 percent of men said that they wouldn't feel comfortable talking to anyone about the condition.

Despite many people believing that erectile dysfunction is most likely to affect men aged 56 to 65, Lloydspharmacy Online Doctor, Dr Tom Brett said: "Erectile dysfunction can affect any man at any stage in his life, but it doesn't have to mean the end of intimacy."

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