THOUGH it might leave you feeling deflated, trouble getting an erection is usually just caused by the stress of expectation or having a few too many drinks.

Most men will experience it at some point or another and it’s usually nothing to worry about.

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If you’re quite often unable to get an erection or can’t keep one for long enough to be intimate, then you might be suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED).

It can feel embarrassing to speak about but the condition is in fact extremely common.

Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy says: “Erectile dysfunction affects millions of men around the world.

“Overall, it is estimated that around 50 per cent of men between the ages of 40 and 70 will experience ED at some point.

“That’s why locating potential causes is vital.”

ED may be caused by health conditions such as high blood pressure and cholesterol or diabetes, as well as depression and anxiety.

But sometimes, the culprit may in fact be inside your medicine cabinet.

“Medication can play a massive role in causing this limiting condition,” Dr Grant explained.

This can include drugs geared towards treating specific conditions, or pills as common as painkillers and anti-histamines.

Here are four medicines that could increase your risk of ED.

1. Beta Blockers

Beta blockers are drugs that lower blood pressure.

“Blood pressure medications, also known as antihypertensives or beta blockers, list erectile dysfunction as a common side effect for many medications – including popular treatments such as atenolol and propranolol,” Dr Grant says.

“These medications can lower testosterone while also impacting blood flow – both are requirements for achieving and maintaining a healthy erection.”

Don’t stop taking the drugs if you’re experiencing problems with ED, but you can speak to your GP about it if it’s bothering you.

2. Antidepressants

Medications to treat depression often list reduced sex drive and sexual dysfunction as a side effect.

According to Dr Grant: “Popular antidepressants such as Citalopram, Sertraline and Fluoxetine could also be contributing to men’s ED risk.

“Antidepressants have a direct impact on hormones, increasing serotonin which can influence testosterone and dopamine levels – affecting libido and the ability to become sexually stimulated.

“It’s often listed as a side effect of antidepressant medication.

“However, it’s important to stay in dialogue with your GP to assess the best treatments available.”

3. Painkillers

A common class of painkillers called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be another cause of ED, according to Dr Grant.

“NSAIDs are some of the most commonly used medications, with Aspirin and Ibuprofen falling under this category,” the GP says.

“Erectile dysfunction is a potential side effect as these tablets can negatively impact blood flow and the ability to maintain erections.

“While these tablets are available over-the-counter, managing intake and abiding by recommended dosages is so important.”

The GP also recommends taking a look at potential side effects of the drugs on their leaflets before taking.

4. Antihistamines

At certain times of the year when pollen levels reach their peak, many people will pop an antihistamine to cope with allergy symptoms.

They’re also used to relieve hives, conjunctivitis and reactions to insect bites or stings.

They work by blocking the effects of a substance called histamine in your body.

Histamine is normally released when your body detects something harmful, such as an infection, helping protect the body by causing blood vessels to expand and the skin to swell.

In people with allergies, histamines can cause uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous reactions.

But the substance can also play a role in erections, Dr Grant says.

“Histamine is crucial for developing an erection as the chemical helps dilute blood vessels, improving blood flow and allowing men to become erect.

“Therefore, it’s no surprise to learn that antihistamines can drastically increase men’s risk of developing ED.

“It highlights the importance of monitoring dosage and speaking openly with medical professionals about the harmful side effects common medications could have on an individual basis.”

Tips to deal with ED

“Overall, it’s intriguing to uncover so many over-the-counter medications that can escalate men’s ED risk,” Dr Grant concludes.

But maintaining a healthy lifestyle and making sure you’re not over consuming these medicines can help protect you against this common condition.

Having regular GP visits and check-ups is also key to preventing and treating ED, the GP adds.

“Aside from medication, I recommend incorporating foods into your diet that boost blood flow – this includes apples, walnuts and dark leafy greens.

“I also suggest managing a healthy alcohol intake as drinking can play a massive role in the development of erectile dysfunction.”

WHEN Daniela found out she was expecting twin girls, she could not have been happier.

She never could have imagined the tragedy to come, which would see her give birth to one while also grieving for the loss of the other.

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Just one year earlier, Daniela Stockmann and her fiancé Dave Ward lost their first baby to a miscarriage.

In December 2021, the parents were overjoyed to find out they were pregnant again.

But this happy news soon turned to sadness once more, when they found out one of their daughters Daisy, had died in the womb due to a condition called twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

“The heartbreak and the pain was horrendous,” Daniela said, recalling the day she found out about Daisy.

During a holiday to the Maldives, Dave surprised Daniela by proposing.

A couple of days later, Daniela was delighted when she had a positive pregnancy test.

“We had a private scan at eight-and-a-half weeks,” she said.

“They said there were definitely two babies. Dave was gobsmacked,” she added.

At 12 weeks, the couple were “over the moon” to discover they were expecting twin girls.

During a later scan, the happy parents were told the twins were growing well, but that there was a bit more fluid around one baby, compared to the other.

“They wrote on my notes TTTS with a question mark but nothing more was said,” Daniela said.

Scans later revealed that Daniela did have TTTS at 22 weeks.

TTTS is a rare but life-threatening condition that affects 10 to 15 per cent of identical twins that share a placenta (monochorionic twins).

TTTS can also occur in triplet or higher-order pregnancies with monochorionic twins.

Specialist laser surgery carried out on the babies in the womb is offered to help save the babies’ lives.

Daniela added: “It was awful that day, that was probably when we were grieving the most.

“We just couldn’t believe it was all fine and then such a sudden change.

“Dave fell to pieces in the car park.”

The couple were told that Daniela needed specialist laser surgery straightaway.

“I remember just clinging onto the wall,” the mum said.

‘Stay strong for your other baby’

“I couldn’t process anything. We wanted to go ahead with the surgery so we could give the babies the best chance of survival,” she explained.

The surgery went ahead and both babies survived the operation.

But just hours later, Daniela started experiencing painful muscle spasms and doctors were worried she had gone into labour or was bleeding internally.

They feared amniotic fluid had leaked into her body and caused the attacks.

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Heartbreakingly, at 22-and-a-half weeks, doctors said there was only one heartbeat and one of the twins, who the couple named Daisy, had passed away.

Daniela said: “I just burst into tears. I knew we had to carry on, I said to Dave, ‘Let’s not collapse now’, we knew we couldn’t do that.

“Our surgeon said to us: ‘You have lost a baby so you need to grieve for this baby but right now you need to stay strong for the surviving one to get through. So you must grieve later.’

“Those words just stayed with me. The heartbreak and the pain was horrendous.

“I felt great comfort knowing I was still carrying them both and they were safe with me and still together.

“But as time was moving on closer to birthing them, it hurt so much knowing she was going to be gone forever.”

Naming ceremony

Daniela had to be transferred to a hospital in Grimsby for the birth.

At 34 weeks, Daniela had an emergency C-section and baby Daisy was born sleeping alongside her sister Orla on July 11 2022.

She said: “Orla came out crying and as soon as we heard that cry, our shoulders dropped.

“The pregnancy was such a worry and to know she was alright was just amazing.

“She did have a stay in NICU. This was because she was born prematurely and needed light therapy and help with establishing feeding.

“We had photos taken with Daisy and she stayed in my room for a couple of days in a special cold cot.

“We had a naming ceremony and they let us push Daisy in the pram to the mortuary.”

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‘She should be playing with her sister’

Daniela said despite support from bereavement counsellors, it’s still very hard to come to terms with the grief of losing a baby.

“It’s not been until now, two years later, that I have processed it all. Because you have a newborn.

“You’ve got this beautiful baby but you’re grieving for another one. That balance is so hard to navigate.

“Obviously it gets easier but then it also hits you like a tonne of bricks.

“There’s a huge grief when Orla is looking in the mirror as I see them both and always think what should have been.

“Or when she is playing with a friend, we get such mixed emotions, we love seeing her happy but the pain comes as we know she should be playing with her sister.”

When Daniela found out about Twins Trust Bereavement Service, she was able to find a community of people who understood what had happened to her.

“I joined the Twins Trust Bereavement Service social channels and found others who had been through a similar situation.

“You know they’re on the same page and understand you. Just reading other people’s comments on the pages made me feel less alone,” she said.

Daniela and Dave, plus their gym members at FBC Harrogate, have ploughed their time into helping others and fundraising for Twins Trust, to support other bereaved families.

From fundraising runs to family events and mountain climbs, they have raised more than £6,000 for the charity.

Daniela is currently training for the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April 2025.

They will mark Baby Loss Awareness Week by joining in the Wave of Light and lighting a candle in Daisy’s memory.

She added: “BLAW gives us a chance to remember all the babies. It’s so important to recognise any loss.”

Louise Bowman, Head of Family Services at Twins Trust, said: “Baby Loss Awareness Week is an important week that gives bereaved families a chance to have their voices heard and share their stories.

“At Twins Trust Bereavement Service, we offer a lifeline to parents and families coping with the unique challenges of loss from a multiple birth. We are here to support them through their bereavement journey and help them feel less alone.”

LURGY season is upon us – and I appear to be one of its early victims.

Long gone are the sniffle-free days of summer (ignoring the occasional bout of hayfever).

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Instead, say hello to the next six months of coughs, stuffy ears and bunged-up noses galore – what joy.

As we all know, getting a cold is incredibly common – in fact, adults can expect to have two to three colds each year, while kids can have up to 10 or more.

My throat is itchy, ears are blocked, nose is running and head is pounding, to name just a few of my symptoms.

While there’s no proven way to get rid of a cold, there are a number of medicines and home remedies which promise to help manage the symptoms and make you feel better. 

But do any actually work?

I put several products to the test over the course of a week – taking into account pain reduction, and how quickly and for how long they worked.

Many of the products targeted all symptoms associated with colds and flu, but I also tested treatments that only aimed to get rid of specific issues.

I also spoke to TV Pharmacist Thorrun Govind to find out a little more about the science behind these methods and which ones she recommends to her own patients.

She tells me: “It’s important to remember with all of these remedies that none are going to fix your cough or cold, our immune systems will do that, but taking some of these products can make you feel better while you wait!”

1. Hot honey & lemon

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Best for: Cough and sore throat

• Pain reduction: 6/10
• Efficiency: 6/10
• Longevity: 4/10

An oldie but a goodie: hot honey and lemon water has been used for generations to ease the symptoms of a cold or flu.

After just a few sips, I noticed my persistent coughing had died down, much to my boyfriend’s relief.

And this is hardly surprising, considering one Canadian study found honey to be as effective as common cough suppressant ingredient dextromethorphan, found in many over-the-counter drugs.

There was also something very comforting about holding something warm when you feel under the weather – like a hug, just in a mug.

Agreeing, pharmacist Thorrun says: “Drinking something warm will likely sooth your throat, whatever it is.

“But the greatest benefit you’re likely to get from this drink is hydration.

“Keeping yourself well-hydrated can help with symptom and help your immune system fight.”

It’s important to remember that honey shouldn’t be given to children younger than 12 months.

That’s because it contains bacteria that can produce toxins in a baby’s tummy, leading to infant botulism, which can prove serious.

Where to buy: find a bag of four lemons and a jar of honey at Aldi for 79p and 75p, respectively.

2. Steam inhalation/Vicks VapoRub

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Best for: Congestion

• Pain reduction: 7/10
• Efficiency: 8/10
• Longevity: 4/10

As the name suggests, this simple (but very effective) trick involves breathing in some steam.

You do this by filling a bowl with hot water and throwing a towel over your head, or jumping in a hot shower.

Studies on steam inhalation as a way to ease cold symptoms are somewhat mixed.

Many, including one 2016 review, found breathing in hot air did nothing at all to help clear the sinuses.

Contrary to the scientific evidence, breathing in hot air provided me with instant relief, albeit not for long.

Within seconds, I could feel the hot steam loosen the mucus build up in my nose (apologises for the graphic detail).

I was very excited to breathe from my nostrils again – a small, but simple pleasure you only realise when it’s gone.

It’s worth noting that steaming didn’t make my ears feel any less blocked, which annoyingly was making me feel like I was constantly underwater.

However, the biggest downside was the positive decongestant effects lasted little more than minute, which wasn’t entirely satisfying.

The science around echinacea’s effectiveness just isn’t there like it is for some other cold and flu products

Thorrun GovindPharmacist

“This is a cheap way to unblock your nostrils,” Thorrun explains.

“It does this by making the mucus thinner. But like you noticed, it won’t last very long.”

This is because without the steam, the mucus thickens up.

In an attempt to keep my nose clearer for longer, I took my steam bowl up a notch and stirred in some Vicks VapoRub.

I also added some of the minty wax-like substance to my chest and neck (as advised) for good measure.

On the Vicks website, the product promises to solve nasal congestion, and ease a sore throat and cough due to cold.

After a few inhales, my nose, ears and chest felt clearer, more so than the clean steam ever managed to.

However, my cough persisted and throat continued to feel a tad tickly.

I proceeded to carry the little blue pot around with me all day after deciding that rubbing a layer into my chest every so often was slightly more office appropriate than an hourly steam bowl.

Thorrun points out that people using this technique should be careful of burns.

She says: “Make sure the bowl of hot water is on a level, sturdy surface and can’t be knocked over.

“And don’t let the hot water anywhere near children.”

Where to buy: find a 100g jar of Vicks at Boots for £5.25.

3. Echinacea

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Best for: nothing

• Pain reduction: 0/10
• Efficiency: 0/10
• Longevity: 0/10

I’ve never been a believer of herbal remedies, but seeing as echinacea has a bit of a reputation as a “cold fighter”, I thought I’d give it a shot.

Echinacea is part of the daisy family, and has been used by Native Americans for hundreds of years to treat various infections and toothache.

Many people now suggest the supplement can treat a cold, but the evidence is mixed – with most studies suggesting it doesn’t really work.

I took it in pill form for three days and didn’t see any significant changes.

In fact, I felt just as unwell and miserable as I did before I started the pills.

A 2014 review credited echinacea with “small preventative effects” when it came to shielding people from a cold – so perhaps I was taking it wrong.

 A 2015 study gave echinacea a more full-throated endorsement, suggesting it can reduce a person’s risk for colds by 35 per cent.

So maybe I should be taking echinacea as a daily supplement ahead of prospective illness, instead of something to take while I’m already sick.

Thorrun said echinacea isn’t something she recommends to her own patients.

“The science around its effectiveness just isn’t there like it is for some other cold and flu products,” she said.

Where to buy: find a box of 42 Echinaforce echinacea tablets at Superdrug for £5.24.

4. Chicken soup 

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Best for: Headache and sore throat

• Pain reduction: 5/10
• Efficiency: 7/10
• Longevity: 5/10

Food always makes me feel better when I’m ill – ideally carbs and more carbs.

So it was little wonder when a bowl of warm chicken soup paired with some thick slices of white bread slathered with salted butter brought me back to life.

It briefly reduced my headache and my sore throat, and all the swallowing slightly eased my stuffiness.

Research suggests it’s not just any old food that will make you feel better though; chicken is especially good when you’re feeling run down.

The white meat is full of a substance called carnosine, which studies suggest reduces that stuffy, congested feeling in your nose and throat.

It’s thought that carnosine works by minimising inflammation in the upper respiratory tract, which includes the nose, mouth and throat.

Thorrun touted the benefits of eating well when you’re unwell.

“It’s important to nourish your body is fighting a virus by giving it lots of food full of vitamins and minerals,” she says.

“A nice cup of and bread is likely going to give you a bit more energy which can make you feel better.”

Where to buy: find one tub of Cully and Sully’s chicken and vegetable soup at Tesco for £2.

5. A spicy curry

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Best for: Congestion

• Pain reduction: 5/10
• Efficiency: 6/10
• Longevity: 3/10

A curry might more commonly be associated with curing a hangover, rather than a bug.

But there’s another reason to eat your vindaloo, as one (rather small) study found a vital ingredient can help treat colds.

The 2011 research discovered that fenugreek (found in most UK supermarket curries) may stave off viruses that cause sniffles and sore throats and even help to relieve some of the symptoms.

After a few bites of my Co-op Tikka Masala (to which I added some extra chilli flakes for effect), I noticed my nose began to run – bingo, I thought, this must be clearing my blocked nose.

However, within moments of finishing my microwaved medley, the stuffiness was back and my throat was still sore.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Thorrun says a curry is not something she would ever recommend to her own patients.

“When you’re feeling unwell, the last thing you’re going to crave is a heavy curry,” she says.

“I can see how the spice might briefly clear your sinuses, but beyond that I don’t see, medically, how it’s going to help you feel better.”

Where to buy: find a Tikka Masala at Co-op for £3.75.

6. Beechams All in One Oral Solution

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Best for: Headache and sore throat

• Pain reduction: 7/10
• Efficiency: 7/10
• Longevity: 7/10

Trying to swallow tablets when you’ve got a sore throat can be really unpleasant; they just never seem to go down smoothly – which is why taking a liquid medicine went down a treat.

Beechams is a one-shot medicine which is easy to take and works very quickly.

Within just 10 minutes, I was free from that pesky itch lurking in my throat and my cough had gone with it.

Thorrun says this is because it contains paracetamol, which works by “making pain more manageable”.

According to the NHS, the painkiller can also reduce a high temperature and ease aches and pains – which I also noticed.

“Just make sure you don’t exceed the recommended dose by taking it more than once every four hours,” she said.

Beechams also contains a decongestant known as phenylephrine hydrochloride, but this did nothing to unblock my nose or ears.

In fact, health experts in the US claimed when the decongestant is used in oral medicines (rather than nasal sprays), it doesn’t work – which in my case makes sense.

Where to buy: find 160ml of Beechams at Boots for £5.50.

7. Strepsils

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Best for: Sore throat and cough

• Pain reduction: 7/10
• Efficiency: 9/10
• Longevity: 7/10

A hard-boiled sweet to numb my itchy throat? Yes please.

Within seconds of sucking a lozenge (that contains no real sugar) I felt the anaesthetic effects working.

My throat was less sore and not at all scratchy, while my cough appeared to have disappeared.

The numbing effects lingered for 20 or so minutes after the lozenge had dissolved.

The lemon and honey flavour (a classic so it seems) wasn’t half bad either.

According to Thorrun, these lozenges also contain an antiseptic which can help kill the bugs.

“This could, in theory, mean they help your body fight off an infection by cleaning the back of the infected throat,” she explained.

Where to buy: find a box of 36 honey and lemon Strepsil Lozenges for £5.69 at Superdrug.

8. Lemsip Max 

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Best for: Cough, congestion, sore throat, headache

• Pain reduction: 9/10
• Efficiency: 8/10
• Longevity: 8/10

What could be better than painkillers? Painkillers submerged in a hot drink.

Much like the honey and lemon concoction, this drink (suitably lemon-flavoured) felt like a hug in a mug – with the added benefit of numbing the incessant itch in my throat.

After 20 minutes of sipping, many of my symptoms began to lift, including my blocked ears, nose, sore throat and cough.

Even the more subdued symptoms, like the dull ache in my legs and stuffy head, disappeared.

All things considered, I felt relatively normal. Might I go as far to say I convinced myself I was healthy again?

I asked Thorrun why exactly this product worked so well.

“Lemsip contains a chemical called guaifenesin, which helps to thin the mucus in the throat so its easy to cough up,” she explains.

“This is why it’s very good for those with wet coughs, as opposed to dry, or chesty coughs.”

It also contains paracetamol, which, as Thorrun said previously, can help ease pain when you’re ill.

You can also take Lemsip in tablet form, but the fact the powdered version requires water is an added bonus for your health.

“Drinking more liquids is going to help with a sore throat or cough,” she explained.

Four hours later, as if right on schedule, my symptoms came flooding back.

I continued to carry some hand sachets in my purse for the rest of my cold, and if that’s not a testament to the medicine, I don’t know what is.

Where to buy: find a box of 10 Lemsip Max Lemon sachets for £3.29 from Amazon.co.uk.

9. Sudafed Blocked Nose Spray

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Best for: Congestion

• Pain reduction: 9/10
• Efficiency: 8/10
• Longevity: 8/10

The worst part of any cold (in my humble opinion) is the congestion.

Living in a scentless, muffled world isn’t fun for anyone.

So when I came across a de-blocking spray, I was thrilled.

The initial hit of menthol up each nostril is far from pleasant, but the three-or-so hours after were pure, clear, bliss.

Not only could I breathe through my nose again, but my ears felt substantially less congested, as did my head.

“Nasal sprays work much quicker than tablets because the decongestant reaches your blocked nose almost instantly,” Thorrun explains.

“Make sure you don’t use these sprays for longer than five days,” she warns, “as using them for any longer can make your nose more blocked, even after the infection has cleared up”.

Where to buy: find Sudafed spray from Weldricks pharmacy for £3.49.