The mounting stress in life has caused as high as 70 percent of male adults in Taiwan to feel that they are not up to a decent performance in bed while around 66 percent of females expressed dissatisfaction with their sex life, according to a survey released yesterday. The survey, covering adults in 13 nations in the Asia Pacific region, finds that one in every four males in the area share the feeling that are not "hard" enough when having sex with partners.

However, the figure for men in Taiwan is much higher at 70 percent.

The survey also finds that two-thirds of adult women in Taiwan complain about the lack of a quality sex life.

Medical experts said that the physical prowess of the average people generally reaches a watershed at the age of 40.

In addition from the physical factors, the increasing pressure in life, especially at workplace, have aggravated the problem with added anxiety, they said.

They suggested that people maintain a decent lifestyle with physical exercise and adequate rest as well as to get rid of bad habits like staying up in late night, smoking, or excess drinking of alcoholic beverages.

It is also important for people to find ways or outlets to release their daily stress, the experts said.

Actually, having a good sex should be listed as one of the best ways to release pressure, they said.

Improving communication with partner, patience without rushing things, relaxation in especially created atmosphere, and proper encouragement by the female partner can often help improve men's performance in bed, they said.

People having troubles with unsatisfactory sex life should seek medical help instead of stalling the problems.

A close examination and counseling from medical experts can also help identify some real causes for sexual inactivity, they said.

Other health problems like diabetes or high cholesterol not yet discovered could be the real culprits behind the troubles for sex life for many people, the experts pointed out.