While sex doesn’t need to go on for great lengths to be enjoyable, it is completely normal to seek ways to make the pleasure last longer.

Sex is much more than just an orgasm – it’s about connecting with your partner, too. Research has shown that around 45% of men ejaculate within two minutes, and for most heterosexual couples, the average duration of sexual intercourse is 5.4 minutes (without including time for foreplay).

Researchers have determined through numerous studies that for many couples, a desirable sex session would ideally last anywhere from 7 to 13 minutes. So, if you’re craving more intimacy and more of a connection with your partner, there are certain ways you can boost your sex life and extend the length of time you can have sex for.

How To Make Sex Last Longer

It’s a well-known fact that men can reach orgasm more easily and more quickly than women. But the fact that premature ejaculation is one of the most common sexual disorders in men under the age of 40, as well as everyday stresses compromising focus and confidence, couples often find that sex doesn’t last as long as they’d like. Here are some tips on how to make sex last longer:

1. Don't put pressure on yourself

The first thing to remember when trying to make sex last longer is that there’s no pressure. The rom-coms tell us that women are supposed to want hour-long sex sessions, but this tends to be an unrealistic portrayal; sex doesn’t have to feel like a marathon.

Each couple is different and the length of time you’re both happy with may not be the same as it would be for someone else. What each individual wants in bed is very personal and contextualised based on the relationship you have with each other. It’s a good idea to have a conversation with your partner to talk through what it is that each of you wants, including the desired duration. This can take the pressure off trying to reach an unrealistic goal.

2. Practise mindfulness

Mindfulness has been in the media a lot over the last few years, and with good reason.

Mindfulness is about paying attention to the present moment and training your mind to focus on one task at a time. While it’s usually associated with mental health, it’s actually great to remember when improving intimacy.

Mindfulness is great for reducing stress and anxiety, and that in turn can also be beneficial to your sex life, too. Sex and relationship therapists say that practising mindful sex can improve your physical and emotional health by allowing you to fully focus on your bodily sensations which leads to a more rewarding sexual experience.

You don’t just have to practise mindfulness in the bedroom, either. Through being mindful in everyday situations, you’ll naturally become a pro in all other aspects of life. There are numerous apps and guides for meditation that can help you relax and unwind, or you could try mindful eating where you focus on the taste and texture of different foods while avoiding distractions.

The slowed breathing and calmer outlook acquired through mindfulness will help to reduce stress which can also help to slow ejaculation down and provide you with the skills to maintain control and focus on your partner.

3. Try Viagra pills

If you find that different positions and mindfulness don’t improve your sex life to the extent you’d like, you may want to consider exploring prescription pills to prolong ejaculation. You can speak to your GP or buy Viagra online through Express Pharmacy to help make sex last longer.

Viagra was the first medication created to treat erectile dysfunction and it provides men suffering from impotence the ability to maintain an erection for longer. Viagra pills improve your ability to achieve and retain an erection, working for men of any age.

How Does Viagra Work?

Viagra works by widening the blood vessels in the body, allowing for more blood to flow to the penis during sexual stimulation. It contains the active ingredient Sildenafil which is a PDE-5 inhibitor. This stops a specific enzyme from working in the body which is responsible for keeping the blood vessels in the penis constricted. This enables the individual to achieve a harder erection which can be maintained for longer periods of time.

How To Take Viagra

Viagra should be taken around an hour before you plan on having sex. It should be taken orally in tablet form and can be effective for up to four hours after ingesting. This medication can be effective in as little as 30 minutes before intercourse but the speed at which Viagra works depends on several factors. Taking the tablet alongside a heavy or high-fat meal can slow down how quickly the body absorbs the Sildenafil and can delay its efficiency.

The recommended dose of Viagra is one 50mg tablet taken one hour before sexual activity. If you experience side effects from this dosage, you can lower the dose to 25mg on the next occasion or increase the dose to 100mg if 50mg proves to be too weak.

You shouldn’t take Viagra more than once a day as this will impact its effectiveness and could increase the chance of you experiencing negative side effects, such as headaches, dizziness or upset stomach.

Struggling To Perform? Get In Touch Today

Sex is meant to be enjoyed and what makes for the perfect sexual experience varies from couple to couple. But if you’re finding that you’re struggling to perform and want to explore ways to improve your sex life for you and your partner, get in touch with us on 0208 123 0703 for advice.

Have you ever found yourself feeling dizzy when hiking or skiing? If so, then it is likely that you suffer from altitude sickness. Luckily, mild cases of altitude sickness can be cured with help from effective tablets; however, in more severe cases, oxygen therapy might be necessary.

If you are about to embark on another climbing expedition or any other activity where you will find yourself on higher ground, it’s vital to understand the causes of altitude sickness, the symptoms, how to treat it, and how to prevent it in the future. Continue reading to find out more.

What Causes Altitude Sickness?

The most common, and obvious, cause of altitude sickness is high altitude. So, if you are ascending a mountain, or if you climb up too quickly into a zone where the air is thinner, you will be leaving yourself vulnerable to altitude sickness.

To help you further understand the causes of altitude sickness, let’s paint a picture:

The body’s entitlement to oxygen is a crucial component, and when the body doesn’t receive the level of oxygen it’s used to, it’s prone to throw a tantrum, or in this case, make you fall violently ill. So, in really severe cases, altitude sickness can be fatal, which is why you need to be wary about it and learn as much as possible before embarking on a climbing expedition.

On the bright side, if you decide to concentrate your climbing efforts in flatter countries like the UK, you will probably never have to experience altitude sickness - mountains in the UK typically aren’t that high, and the highest peak is about 4400ft. Altitude sickness doesn’t start to kick in until you’re about 8000ft above sea level.

Symptoms of Altitude Sickness

The positive thing about the symptoms of altitude sickness is that they are generally easy to spot once you know what to look for. In most cases, when you are suffering from altitude sickness, you will likely experience”

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath

Those are the most common symptoms, but please note that the symptoms are not limited to this.

For some, the symptoms of altitude sickness could be gastrointestinal, and for such people, a loss of appetite, flatulence and vomiting are likely symptoms.

Altitude sickness can also affect the nervous system leading to weakness, lethargy, dizziness, insomnia, and so on.

Furthermore, the symptoms could also be respiratory, and it is in cases like these when nosebleeds and shortness of breath come into play.

On top of that, sufferers of altitude sickness could also experience swollen body parts, including the hands, feet, and face. In some extreme cases, the illness could lead to swelling of the brain or fluids in the lungs.

How To Treat Altitude Sickness

Treating altitude sickness can be achieved through the use of altitude sickness tablets. The most common drug associated with the alleviation of altitude sickness is Acetazolamide. This drug aids in decreasing headaches, nausea, and dizziness. It can also be used in the treatment of other ailments like glaucoma, epilepsy, and heart failure.

Getting into the nitty-gritty of how altitude sickness tablets work is fascinating. Acetazolamide compels the kidney to excrete bicarbonate when it is then passed out through urine. This, in turn, increases the acidity of the blood and through that tricks the body into assuming that there is a buildup of CO2 in the body. The body then deals with the ‘CO2’ the only way it knows how: through deeper and faster breaths. Moreover, this increases the oxygen in the body and helps to alleviate altitude sickness.

You can purchase Acetazolamide online through Express Pharmacy and in some stores. When using it to treat altitude sickness, it is advised that you start taking the drug a couple of days before you start your climb.

Always check with a medical practitioner before using Acetazolamide to ensure that you are not allergic to it and also have a conversation with a doctor to look over your medical history and ensure that you can use it without any problems.

How To Prevent Altitude Sickness In The Future

As well was taking fast-acting medication, there are also some things that you can do to prevent the symptoms of altitude sickness in the first place.

As mentioned earlier, climbing in the UK is completely safe as there aren’t any punishingly high altitudes that can induce sickness. If you do decide to go somewhere that’s above 8000ft, ensure that you take your time. Climbing slowly allows your body to acclimatize to the environment and, therefore, helps to reduce cases of altitude sickness. Climb about 1000ft a day, and when you do, ensure that you take frequent breaks.

It is also important to have enough fluids around to keep you hydrated and further shielded from the symptoms of altitude sickness. Additionally, avoid alcohol at all costs. It is tempting to want to take a little ‘pick me up’ to celebrate scaling a large mountain or some other achievement, but try to wait until you descend the mountain before indulging in any celebratory drinking.

Get in touch with our pharmaceutical experts on 0208 123 0703 for more information regarding altitude sickness. Alternatively, browse our altitude sickness treatments today to alleviate your symptoms.

We’re all guilty of having a few unhealthy habits; whether it be staying up too late or spending too much time watching TV.

Snapping out of routine can be tough.

We’ve put together this short guide which highlights 7 simple but effective changes you can make for a healthy and happier lifestyle. Work them into your everyday routine and they will soon add up to a healthier and happier you.

7 Healthy Lifestyle Tips

Read on to discover our top seven health lifestyle tips to boost your wellbeing.

1. Get a good night’s sleep

Sleep is essential, not only for your mental and emotional wellbeing but also for your physical health. Your body uses this shut-down time to replenish, heal and recharge.

And - it’s not just quantity that counts, it’s also the quality. To support a healthy and happy lifestyle, it is recommended to get around 7 to 8 hours sleep a night.

Poor or insufficient sleep can have a cumulative effect, leaving you vulnerable to slower reflexes, lack of concentration and lower productivity levels. Lack of sleep has also been linked to chronic diseases, anxiety and depression.

A consistent bedtime routine is key to getting a good nights sleep - aim to go to bed at the same time every day. Before bed, do some gentle stretches, read a book or have a warm bath - and keep all electronic devices out of the bedroom. This should help you relax and drift off.

2. Keep hydrated

Water is essential for our wellbeing and so for optimum health, we need to be well-hydrated. Our body is actually made up of two-thirds water and we need this H2O for a host of bodily functions, from regulating temperature to detoxifying and removing waste.

As well as impacting on our body’s efficiency, poor hydration can also affect our energy levels as well as concentration, mental clarity and vitality.

To keep sufficiently hydrated, healthy and happy, the recommended amount of water we need to drink each day is around two litres (or eight glasses) – more if you are very active.

3. Stand up and move more

The sedentary lifestyle is widely recognised as being detrimental to our health and wellbeing and the perfect antidote is to get up and get moving. Adding some aerobic exercise into your day can make a real difference and it doesn’t have to be intense. Walking for just 30 minutes a day can help to reduce your risk of chronic disease, high blood pressure and weight gain as well as helping to boost mood, cognitive function, muscle strength and flexibility.

As well as making time for exercise, there are also other small steps you can add into your day that collectively help to counter the effects of a sedentary life, such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, gardening or taking the dog for a nice, long walk. And, if you do find you need to spend long periods of time in front of the computer, build in regular breaks when you get up and move around.

4. Be more mindful

In our fast-paced world, we can feel overwhelmed or distracted by everything we have to do in a day. But with so much going on, we often miss out on the smaller things that can bring a sense of perspective, calm and joy into our lives. And this is where mindfulness comes in.

From sitting down to enjoy the simple pleasure of a meal to taking yourself into the garden and spending five minutes consciously observing your surroundings, there are plenty of little mindful activities you can work into your day.

Increasing mindfulness and the time you spend ‘living in the moment’ can have a significant impact on your health, happiness and overall wellbeing.

5. Eat well

Variety is the spice of life and, when it comes to what you eat, a variety of whole foods, fruit, vegetables, good fats and lean protein is key to a healthy body and mind.

Cutting back on junk, sugar and processed foods and eating as naturally as possible will help you to get all the daily nutrients your body needs to perform at its optimum. A well-nourished body is also more able to fight illnesses, recover from exercise and positively deal with whatever life throws at you.

Aim to cook from scratch if you can and include a rainbow of colours on your plate to ensure you are getting all those essential vitamins and minerals.

6. Get outside

You should never underestimate the power of the outdoors when it comes to our mental and physical health. Spending quality time outside can be a real boost to our happiness and wellbeing.

Nature can help you to switch off from the pressures and technologies of life and rediscover a simpler way, even if it’s for just a few hours. Recharging your batteries with a walk in the fresh air can also boost mental clarity and help with anxiety and depression as well as increase your physical fitness, resilience and stamina.

So, get your walking boots on, slap on the sunscreen, grab a bottle of water and stride out for some mood and health-boosting time outside.

7. Appreciate what you have

With the demands of modern life and the pressures of wanting to have it all, it can be easy to lose track of the little things that give our lives perspective. Taking some time out to focus on what we have, rather than what we don’t, can really help you to see everything in a much healthier, holistic way. And, as it’s been said, it is often the little things in life that make you happy.

Why not start a gratitude diary and each day, write down three things you are grateful for – from that freshly brewed cup of coffee or newly-changed bed linen to an unexpected visit from a friend or the effort made to stop smoking.

Consciously acknowledging what you do have and what you have achieved will bring you a deeper sense of appreciation. And that is another simple yet essential tip for a happy, healthy and fulfilled life.

Getting a prescription from your GP is not always ideal, especially when your work hours coincide with your doctors opening hours.

Maybe you need a remedy for excruciating period pain, but you can’t see your doctor immediately. Perhaps you’re dealing with a delicate condition, such as erectile dysfunction, and would prefer full discretion. Whatever your reasonings, you can take comfort in knowing that you can get prescriptions from online pharmacies.

How do you get a prescription from an online pharmacy like Express Pharmacy, exactly? Read on to find out everything you need to know.

Advantages of Electronic Prescriptions

Until not so long ago, people could only get a paper prescription from their GP; then, they had to present it to their dispenser to get their prescribed treatment.

The NHS first introduced electronic prescriptions in 2009, and since then, online pharmacies have become increasingly popular. Through this method, the prescriptions are signed, sent, and processed electronically.

How Do Online Prescriptions Work?

The electronic prescription service (EPS) allowed many online pharmacies to start an online prescription service. These pharmacies pair with registered GPs, specialists, and other healthcare professionals who can issue prescriptions.

To get an online prescription, all you have to do is choose your desired treatment and then complete a screening test. This screening test tends to include basic information such as your height, weight, and pre-existing medical conditions. This medical assessment helps online pharmacy doctors decide whether or not you’re eligible for treatment.

At the end of the questionnaire, you’ll have to confirm that you’re over 18. Younger people won’t be able to benefit from an online prescription service and will need to visit their doctor directly.

Upon completion, the results of your online consultation will be reviewed by an independent medical prescriber who will either authorise a private prescription or reject it.

If your prescription is authorised, you will then be able to continue with the purchase and – depending on pharmacy – decide whether you want to collect the meds yourself or have them delivered to your home.

Are Online Prescriptions Safe?

As long as you’re buying from a legitimate online pharmacy that operates legally in the UK, getting an online prescription is both legal and safe.

Registered pharmacies collaborate with professional doctors and pharmacists who can screen your medical history and even reach out to you with further questions to determine your suitability for the treatment.

Legitimate online pharmacies will also ask you to verify your age and identity before issuing a prescription.

A simple way to find out if the online pharmacy of your choice is legitimate is by checking the MHRA website to see what pharmacies and domain names are authorised to sell medication online within the UK.

Why Get an Online Prescription?

If you are not accustomed to buying meds online, getting an online prescription might sound quite foreign. However, obtaining online prescriptions comes with many advantages:

Online prescriptions are faster to obtain

The great thing about online prescriptions is that they can be obtained from the comfort of your own home. Most GPs, on the other hand, require their patients to make an appointment and attend a visit before issuing a prescription. And, usually, you will have to wait at least a few days before seeing your doctor.

Getting a prescription online, however, only requires you to answer a questionnaire, making the process far quicker. And, at Express Pharmacy, you can receive your prescription in as little as one working day.

Online prescriptions are discrete

When buying prescription meds online, you will never have to meet the prescriber – or the pharmacist, as a matter of fact. Moreover, anything that you buy is usually dispatched discretely, in unbranded packaging. Many people find this to be of great comfort, especially if they have a condition which they would rather keep private.

Where Can I Get An Online Prescription From?

It is important to only buy prescription meds online from authorised online pharmacies, such as us here at Express Pharmacy.

Express Pharmacy is a regulated UK pharmacy licensed to dispense prescription medication supplied by Dillons Pharmacy - an established NHS pharmacy based in London - across the country.

Authorised prescribers issue our private prescriptions in less than 24 hours, and you can opt for various collection or delivery options, including same-day collection, next-day delivery, or standard delivery via UPS or Royal Mail.

We value your privacy and dispatch all orders in plain, unbranded packaging, so you can buy from us in all confidence.

Call our team on 0208 123 0703 if you require more information regarding our online pharmacy. Alternatively, browse our treatments and get started today.

At some point in their lives, most men will experience some form of erectile dysfunction (ED). Chronic ED impacts around one in 20 men under 40 years old, and 15% of men at 70. Meanwhile, mild to moderate ED can impact as many as 10% of men per decade of life (i.e. 40% of men aged 40, 50% of men aged 50 etc, 60% of men aged 60.)[1]

Smoking is another key health concern in the UK. As many as 14.4% of UK adults are currently classified as smokers.[2] This is significant, as smoking plays a part in many of the most serious medical conditions, including cancer, heart disease, lung disease, osteoporosis, stroke and infertility.[3]

But is there a link between ED and smoking? Could smoking actually be at the root of your ED concerns?

What is erectile dysfunction?

Most men occasionally fail to achieve or maintain an erection during sexual activity, and this usually caused by stress, anxiety, tiredness or drinking too much. In these instances, this is generally nothing to worry about. However, if it happens frequently, it can be a sign of a wider case of ED.[4] Chronic ED can occur as a result of numerous factors, both physical and emotional, such as depression.[5]

The relationship between smoking and erectile dysfunction

Until around 20 years ago, ED was thought to be primarily caused by psychological factors. However, we now know that there are many physical factors at play too, including injury, hormonal conditions, anatomical conditions and surgery, to name a few.[6] One of the most prevalent physical causes of erectile dysfunction is a narrowing of the blood vessels going to the penis.[7]

This is where smoking comes in. Smoking can damage the lining of the blood vessels over time, preventing them from working at their maximum capacity.[8] This means that smoking can potentially have a direct impact on your likelihood of experiencing ED.

Research shows there likely is a connection

There has been a great deal of research into the connection between ED and smoking, and the results revealing that there is a link between the two factors.

One 2008 study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found strong parallels between smoking and ED — concluding that long-term smoking can detrimentally impact blood flow and blood vessels to the point where ED becomes more likely to occur.[9]

Furthermore, a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that ED was more likely to occur in men who smoked compared to those who never did.[10] Meanwhile another study, carried out in 2004, found the severity of ED corresponded significantly with the level of exposure to smoking.[11]

So what does this research tell us? It suggests that, if you’re a smoker suffering from ED, quitting smoking could reduce your symptoms. Thankfully, there is tried and tested medication which can help you achieve this.

Whether you’re looking for smoking cessation medication like Champix or erectile dysfunction treatment, Express Pharmacy has a range of safe and effective options available. Get in touch with our pharmacists today and get the support you need. Simply call 0208 123 07 03 or use our discreet online Live Chat service.

[1] UW Health. Erectile Dysfunction (ED). School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison. 2019

[2] NHS UK. Statistics on Smoking, England. 2019

[3] Smokefree by NHS. How smoking affects your body. 2018

[4] NHS UK. Erectile dysfunction (importence). 2017

[5] National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & Causes of Erectile Dysfunction. 2017

[6] Sexual Advice Association. Erectile Dysfunction. 2016

[7] NHS Inform. Erectile dysfunction (impotence). 2020

[8] National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Smoking and Your Heart.2018

[9] Tostes, RC, PhD. et al. Cigarette Smoking and Erectile Dysfunction: Focus on NO Bioavailability and ROS Generation. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 2008

[10] Gades, NM. et al. Association between Smoking and Erectile Dysfunction: A Population-based Study, American Journal of Epidemiology. 2005

[11] Pourmand, G. et al. Do cigarette smokers with erectile dysfunction benefit from stopping?: a prospective study. BJU International. 2004