Friendships can get in the way of sexual relationships

Researchers have found a potential new source for sexual problems among middle-aged and older men: The relationships between their female partners and the men’s closest friends.

Cornell University and University of Chicago researchers have found a connection between erectile dysfunction and the social networks shared by heterosexual men and their partners.

The researchers describe the situation as “partner betweenness.” In such cases, a man’s female partner has stronger relationships with his confidants than the man does — in effect, the romantic partner comes between the man and his friends.