Having a bad boss can wreck your sex life – by leading men to flop in bed

WORKING for a bad boss can ruin your sex life because it can create stress and lower testosterone — leading blokes to flop in bed, a study claims. Men facing the most pressure at work from lousy managers — like The Office’s David Brent — were significantly more likely to suffer erectile dysfunction, researchers found. Working for a bad boss can ruin your sex life because it can create stress and lower testosterone Credit: Getty Men facing the most pressure at work from lousy managers — like The Office’s David Brent — were significantly more likely to suffer erectile dysfunction Credit: BBC More than half — 54 per cent — of those experiencing most office grief could not get it up compared to just eight per cent who were given the easiest ride by the boss. The study tracked the stress levels and sexual function of 826 full-time male staff in China aged 22 to 40 between 2022 and 2024. Sign up for the Health newsletter Thank you! Experts at Jiangsu Medical College in Zhenjiang found the level of sex hormone testosterone in the most-harassed blokes was 41 per cent lower. The on-the-edge group also had 74 per cent higher levels of stress hormone cortisol when they woke up in the morning. Dr Yang Zhou said: “The incidence of erectile dysfunction in young men has shown an increasing trend in recent years. “Psychological factors, particularly workplace stress, are receiving increasing attention.” Dr Zhou said the study showed “severe disruption” to normal male biology which could prevent the penis working properly. He added that sleep deprivation, exhaustion and long working hours also limit the time available for intimacy. Most read in Health Dr Anand Patel, an NHS GP and doctor for E4’s Embarrassing Bodies, commented: “An erection is a surprisingly sensitive barometer of a man’s overall health and wellbeing. “If work is chronically stressful, the effects may eventually follow him into the bedroom.” Dr Patel, who was not part of the Chinese study, added: “Stress affects both hormones and nerves. “Low testosterone produces lower libido and lower sexual responsiveness, while stress sabotages the nerve function required for erections.” The Trades Union Congress, meanwhile, said the UK was in a “work-related stress crisis”, with eight in ten of its representatives reporting it as a top concern. Health and Safety Executive figures show stress, depression or anxiety were the number one cause of sick days in 2024-25, with 22.1million working days lost. Comment now