Men and women taking this summer medication before sex could experience mechanical issues

If you’re of the 49% of Brits who fall victim to hay fever at this time of year, it could have a knock on impact on your sex life.

That’s right, just when you thought the sneezing and itchy eyes were enough, women taking antihistamines could experience some unwanted side effects which make penetrative sex a little uncomfortable.

So to get to the bottom of why this is, we asked a doctor to give us the lowdown…

Why antihistamines can cause dryness

‘This can also lead to dryness in your mouth, nose, and eyes.’
You have mucus membranes in the vagina which allow the it to become lubricated and allow for a penis or sex toy to move in and out of the vagina easily.

‘Vaginal dryness caused by antihistamine use can lead to reduced lubrication or pain during sex,’ Dr Basford, for Asda Online Doctor, explains.

If you’re trying to ease this dryness then there are certain things you can try.

‘If you notice vaginal dryness is mainly a problem during sex, try extended foreplay and a water-based lubricant,’ the doctor adds.

‘Don’t use creams such as petroleum jelly as these can cause infection and sometimes damage the latex in condoms.’
Of course, not everyone taking antihistamines will experience this problem, and you shouldn’t stop taking medications without consulting a doctor if they’ve been prescribed to you.

If you’re just taking over the counter hay fever tablets, and you’re keen to reduce the possibility of dry genitals, you might want to consider using a nasal spray instead.

‘These work locally so dryness may be less of an issue, but oral tablets can impact other parts of the body,’ Dr Basford.

Men could be affected too

‘Certain antihistamines can contribute to reduced libido or erectile dysfunction in men, making it harder to get or maintain an erection,’ Dr Basford explains.

‘This is because some antihistamines can cause sedation and fatigue, therefore potentially lowering sexual drive.’
Of course, if you’re worried your allergy medication is affecting your sexual health, you can speak to your GP about switching types.

Don’t panic

‘It’s a common, reversible side effect that usually resolves once you stop taking the medication,’ Dr Basford says.

‘However, if you are experiencing severe discomfort, speak to your doctor about managing the symptoms.’
Of course, your dryness or erectile dysfunction may not be due to your medication at all.

The GP points out that vaginal dryness is a very common menopause symptoms, which could be eased with HRT.

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‘Vaginal oestrogen creams work directly in the vagina to reduce dryness, and very little is absorbed into the rest of the body,’ she adds.

And when it comes to ED, it affects 26% of men under 40 and a whopping half of men over 40, so it’s certainly not unusual.

Psychological issues such as depression or anxiety, your weight, and testosterone deficiency can all be causes, so visit your GP to determine the cause.

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.