From naughty chocs to a pheromone scent, how to boost HIS mojo

Valentine’s Day can truly pile the pressure on a chap. First there’s the card and flowers to sort, followed perhaps by a smart dinner. And what about the big, romantic climax to the night?. For some men, the expectation to perform in the bedroom can spell disaster. If this is true in your marriage, don’t panic – half of men aged between 40 and 70 will experience erectile dysfunction, according to a report by Lloyds Pharmacy.

And yet it’s something many find difficult to talk about, even to their partner. And that embarrassment can make the problem even worse. Clinical sexologist Marie Morice says ‘mental barriers’ are one of the most common causes of issues with libido, although she adds: ‘It’s important for people to do a medical check to understand the underlying cause.’. But all being well physically, there are plenty of practical measures you can take –together and separately – to reignite the passion this Valentine’s Day.

Here’s what to try if you want to put the spring back into your man’s step... EAT CHOCOLATE. Dark chocolate has long been billed as a natural aphrodisiac. It’s rich in magic ingredients like flavonoids and caffeine that support and improve cardiovascular health. It can also trigger the release of endorphins and dopamine, hormones in the body associated with both arousal and pleasure. Now there’s For Play couples chocolate, made with lots of added extras to stimulate you both.

Each His & Hers box (£28, forplay.co.uk) contains six chocs – three ‘His’ and three ‘Hers’. ‘Our chocolate is infused with natural adaptogens and botanicals, such as maca root, to heighten libido, intensify pleasure and improve performance,’ says the brand’s founder, intimacy coach Victoria Rusnac. For Play Chocolate's His & Hers box (£28, forplay.co.uk) contains six chocs – three ‘His’ and three ‘Hers’.

SHARE A SAUNA. Some people suggest there’s a link between saunas – all the rage among celebrities such as David Beckham and Chris Hemsworth – and increased libido. ‘Heat exposure through saunas can boost circulation and lower stress, both of which may ease erectile dysfunction, although evidence is still emerging,’ says Marie. Tempted? Gilles Darmon, director at KLAFS UK, luxury sauna maker, says: ‘In addition, the soothing heat from regular saunas can help to strengthen the body – regular contact with heat relaxes the muscles and supports regeneration – which contributes to enhanced sexual wellbeing.’.

A GLASS OF RED. Thinking about that second bottle to go with your chocolate fondant tomorrow? Think again. NHS GP Dr Deepali Misra-Sharp explains: ‘Excessive alcohol intake can negatively affect sexual desire and performance. ‘The NHS recommends keeping alcohol consumption below 14 units per week – roughly six pints of beer, or six medium-sized glasses of wine.’. But you don’t have to put the corkscrew down entirely. Recent studies suggest the polyphenols found in red wine can actually improve vascular health, which gives the blood flow to the penis a boost and helps men to maintain an erection.

USE AN INTIMACY APP. There are plenty of apps now designed to help couples reconnect or spice things up. But Mojo (mojo.so) takes things a step further – it asks the user a series of questions about his sex life, then puts together a personalised plan to help him boost his satisfaction in the bedroom, using psychological techniques that are clinically proven. This is one for your man to do alone – but it could work wonders for both of you.

They say that smell is the most evocative sense, which is why ‘pheromone perfumes’ were trending on TikTok last year. WATERMELON CURE. This one might sound like an old wives’ tale, but some couples swear by watermelon as an aphrodisiac. Dubbed ‘natural Viagra’, it really is packed with an amino acid called citrulline that makes the blood vessels wider and could help to increase blood flow and, therefore, arousal.

CAN-DO ATTITUDE. Take your cue from Gillian Anderson by stocking up on a few cans of Arouse from her G Spot brand, a range of functional soft drinks designed to promote pleasure. Promising to ‘get you in the mood’ with zesty passionfruit, spicy orange habanero and sweet pineapple, this particular drink is packed with hero ingredients, from butterfly pea to L-arginine, that can increase blood flow, improve libido and reduce tiredness.

Worth a shot, right?. LOVE AT FIRST SPRITZ. They say that smell is the most evocative sense, which is why ‘pheromone perfumes’ were trending on TikTok last year. In short, the clever ingredients in these new scents are said to work with your body’s naturally occurring pheromones – secreted in bodily fluids such as sweat – to make you even more sexually attractive to potential partners, and help boost desire.