Huffing and puffing during those intimate moments? Or just plain can’t keep up your energy level? Embarrassed and disappointed?

While there are a variety of reasons you may not be making it to the finish line anymore, if you are one of the projected 26 million people in the US who have asthma¹, there could be a potential link.

Asthma is a disease that causes your airways to become narrowed, making it difficult to breathe. While symptoms are temporary, they can be mild or severe, with emergency treatment necessary to relieve them. Typical symptoms include:

• A shortness of breath and trouble breathing
• A full feeling in your lungs
• A tickle that leads to coughing

If you have been diagnosed with asthma, you know it can be a nuisance, challenging and can leave you feeling drained.

Can sex cause asthma?

Well, not exactly. The exact cause of asthma is unknown. The better question is can sex trigger your asthma? The answer here, my friend, is “yes!”

Asthma is not a one-size-fits-all condition. It is categorized into different types, related to its triggers.² If you are out and about having wild nights, there are two main ones of concern to you: allergic and exercise-induced.

Allergic asthma

This occurs when someone has an allergic reaction to something they breathe, most commonly things like animal dander, pollen, dust mites, cockroach dropping and mold spores. Not to mention perfumes and other lotions.

What you should do to avoid this?

The next time you are contemplating a rendezvous, be aware of your environment. Is it sterile and somewhat clean, or is your no-tell motel the poster child for “filth?” Dust mites lurk in sheets, pillows and carpets!

Exercise-induced asthma

While many types of asthma may generate symptoms when you are exercising, exercise-induced asthma only occurs when you are physically active. Why? When you are active, you are more prone to breathe through your mouth, which brings in colder, drier air than when you’re breathing through your nose. Your body’s reaction is to contract the muscles around the lungs, which can narrow your air passages and produce an asthma attack.

What you should do to avoid this?

Well, you could concentrate on breathing through your nose if you really tried. Since this is unrealistic at these moments, though, the one thing you can do is avoid colder places, since cold air is an allergy trigger. The other thing you could do is talk to a doctor about a potential pre-exercise medication.

So how do you regain your sexual appetite and avoid wheezing during love-making?

If you’ve ever been to an allergist, you’ve most likely been told that avoidance is the best treatment. But let’s face it, this is not always realistic. And surely abstinence is also unrealistic!

What can you really do if you want to avoid these issues and be back in business again?

Whether you have been diagnosed with asthma or are experiencing symptoms of asthma, you can consult with a doctor about treatment for asthma. He/she can evaluate your specific symptoms and determine the best course of action for you. Allergy medications, pre-exercise inhalers and rescue inhalers may be all you need.

Already been on a treatment plan and don’t think it’s working for your needs?

You may consider volunteering for a clinical research study. Clinical research trials use volunteers to see if a treatment under development is safe and effective. They play a critical role in advancing available medical treatments. As with any medical decision, it’s important to discuss this with your doctor.

At the end of the night, it’s up to you!

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