A recent survey conducted by UK published Nursing Times Magazine suggests that job stress is to blame for a decrease in sex drive among nurses. The magazine surveyed nearly 2,000 nurses and found that 44 percent report a decline in sexual activity as a result of the stressful demands of their work.

A total of 70 percent reported a general increase in physical and mental health problems and 30 percent said they had been taking more sick days than they had in past years. The pressure of the job is also connected to an increase in cigarette smoking. As many as 1 in 10 nurses surveyed have either begun or increased their smoking habit.

A second survey of approximately 400 nurses shows 90 percent predict an increase in the occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases over the next five years, 85 percent feel that sexual healthcare is not given sufficient funding and 80 percent feel that the subject as a whole is not given priority.

The combined effects of physical and mental stress in the daily efforts of the job along with a negative perception of sexual healthcare in the medical field are taking their toll on those in the profession. Nursing Times Magazine suggested some of the blame should be shared by The National Health Service (NHS) in England for recent threats to job security.

To combat the negative effects of stressors related to the industry NHS employers have launched a campaign against stress that seems to be having an effect.