TRACEY COX reveals the 9 everyday habits that ruin your sex life: From not drinking enough water to binging Netflix

Don’t be misled.

These routines may seem harmless, but they all undermine your sex life.

Here’s how our daily habits affect our desire for sex, performance, and satisfaction.

1. Not taking care of your teeth

It sounds bizarre, but oral hygiene is directly linked to sexual performance.

Gum disease causes low levels of inflammation in the bloodstream and the body in general – which is not good.

Numerous studies show a link between gum disease and everything from dementia, diabetes and lung infections to heart disease.

It also impairs blood flow throughout the body, including to the genitals, which is bad news for good sex.

Strong, healthy blood flow ensures good, healthy erections: An erection occurs when blood flows into the chambers in the penis and makes it hard.

Vaginas and vulvas also need good blood flow for arousal.

Aside from sexual function, bad breath is the other nasty side effect of not taking care of your teeth.

Along with body odor, it is constantly cited as the biggest turn-off. Missing or discolored teeth aren’t exactly a turn-on either.

Fix it: Brush your teeth and floss at least twice a day; Visit a dentist and dental hygienist regularly.

2. Not talking about the big things

Are you not good at facing problems that never seem to go away? Unresolved issues lead to emotional distance that undermines trust and intimacy.

If you don’t trust or feel safe with your partner, your desire for sex decreases… or stops altogether.

If problems are not addressed properly, they will always remain in the back of your mind.

Being distracted during sex can lead to erectile dysfunction (for him) and problems achieving orgasm (for her). Sex becomes a source of tension rather than pleasure.

As resentment builds over time, unexpressed anger or frustration seeps into your sex life. Increased levels of cortisol – a hormone released when we are stressed – lower libido and wreak havoc on sexual performance.

Fix it: There is a lot of information online about how to communicate more effectively.

If you can’t educate yourself, make an appointment with a relationship counselor.

You learn communication skills, you are not born with them. Make it a habit to address problems early, before they become a major problem.

3. Spending too much time on social media

Yes, it truly is the source of all evil. Mainly because looking at the curated, perfect lives of others makes you feel inadequate, unattractive, and depressed.

All these things make us less interested in sex.

Fix it: Limit screen time, especially before having sex.

If you find yourself being super critical of yourself after looking at your social media, you might want to consider getting off social media altogether.

4. Not getting a good night’s sleep

Staying up late watching Netflix, sleeping in on weekends, going to bed at different times – poor sleep habits have a dramatic impact on your overall health and sex life.

Anyone who has ever had a bad night’s sleep knows how it affects your mood the next day.

Lack of energy and irritability are also not good for getting you in the mood for sex.

One study found that women who had a good night’s sleep the night before were much more interested in sex the next day.

It all makes sense so far. But what you probably didn’t know is that studies show that poor quality sleep can drastically lower testosterone levels.

Testosterone is a crucial component for creating sexual desire in both men and women.

Fix it: Go to bed and get up at the same time every day, go outside and into daylight within 40 minutes of waking up, dim the lights an hour before bedtime, and leave your phone in another room.

5. Not drinking enough water

Not drinking enough water during the day can mean a wobbly erection and uncomfortable sex that night.

Dehydration directly affects sexual function. In women, it leads to vaginal dryness, which makes sex feel unpleasant or painful.

In men, dehydration reduces sperm production and can affect the quality of their erections.

Fix it: Men should drink about three liters of water per day and women just over two liters.

Look at your pee to see if you’re drinking enough: if it’s bright yellow or (heaven forbid) a little orange, you’re seriously dehydrated. Ideally it would be light yellow.

Avoid too much coffee and alcohol and remember cold and flu tablets, designed to dry up the mucus in your nose but also make you dry elsewhere.

6. Being a sugar junkie

Although sugar can provide a quick boost of energy, it is followed by an inevitable crash. Eat it right before the time you usually have sex, and you’ll be too tired or sluggish to enjoy it.

In the long term, it is linked to insulin resistance, weight gain and reduced testosterone levels, all of which negatively impact your sex drive.

Fix it: If you’re looking for a ride, take a short walk outside instead of reaching for a chocolate bar. Or achieve natural sugar by eating a piece of fruit.

7. Consisting of takeaways and ready-made meals

Oven-baked meals and takeaways may be convenient, but your body – and your libido – won’t thank you.

A diet high in fatty foods and processed ingredients can lead to erectile dysfunction (ED) and decreased libido for both sexes.

Smoking and high-fat diets are strongly linked to poor circulation, which is essential for sexual arousal and performance.

A poor diet also affects our body image. The better your diet, the better you look. Who wants to undress if you’re not proud of what you’re about to reveal?

Fix it: Aim for a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats (any fat that doesn’t solidify when cold).

Foods like salmon, avocados, nuts and seeds are known to promote sexual health thanks to their heart-friendly fats and circulation-boosting properties.

8. Taking medications and supplements

It’s (relatively) common knowledge that antidepressants and anxiety medications reduce our desire for sex, but other supplements and medications can also affect our sex lives.

Steroids shrink testicles and reduce testosterone production, while excessive protein supplements (the favorite of bodybuilders) can lead to hormonal imbalances that dampen our sex drive.

Fix it: If the medication is necessary, ask your doctor if there are alternatives that don’t affect cravings (usually there are).

9. Drinking and smoking too much

Two drinks can be a social lubricant: we’re more likely to chat with someone if we’ve had a few. Being a little sloppy can also make our sexual problems magically disappear.

If you drink more than two, you’re heading down a dodgy path: men have trouble getting or keeping an erection, and you’ll both find it harder to orgasm as our nervous systems become desensitized.

Paranoia creeps in and erectile dysfunction becomes a permanent fixture for heavy drinking men.

Fix it: Keep it moderate: alcohol should be a treat and not a necessity.

• Tracey’s podcast, SexTok, comes out every Wednesday. Find her books, products and more information about sex and relationships at traceycox.com.