Hong Kong finds little joy in sex

Economic ups and downs are a factor

Hong Kong's adults are suffering an increasing deterioration in their sex lives, according to a survey.

More than 50% of people asked by the Chinese University of Hong Kong said they had experienced persistent sexual problems in the last year.

Problems included erectile dysfunction; chronic lack of sex drive; premature or complete absence of orgasm; and plain ignorance about sexual issues.

Women have fewer problems than men

Dr Joseph Lau, who conducted the survey, said Hong Kong's struggling economy and pressures of work were making the difficulties worse.

"Stress is a problem. Work stress, family stress, financial stress or long working hours are all significant predictors of these problems," he told the BBC's World Today programme.

"Except for problems involving anxiety, men are more likely to suffer from sexual problems," he said.

Embarrassed

Dr Lau said Hong Kong people found it difficult to talk about their problems, which meant they had been neglected by doctors.

He said more resources were needed to educate people on sexual complaints and how to deal with them.

The telephone survey showed over half the men and women respondents aged between 18-59 had experienced at least one symptom of sexual under-performance for at least three consecutive months in 2001.

The research confirms previous work on sex in the territory.

Last year a survey by a condom manufacturer revealed Hong Kongers claimed to have sex 63 times a year.

That puts them next to bottom of Asia's sexual-activity league with only the Japanese having sex less often - an average 36 times in 12 months.