If you’re a hay fever sufferer, the constant sneezing and streaming eyes has probably already put a dampener on your sex drive.
But it turns out if you rely on antihistamines to treat your symptoms they might not be helping things in the bedroom, either.
Antihistamines dry out the mucus membranes in your body, which is a life–saver when pollen strikes and you’re suddenly teary and full of snot.
But, unfortunately most medications don’t just dry out the membranes in your sinuses and throat.
They can also dry out your vagina, leading to difficulties with sex and penetration.
Although the vagina is self cleaning and lubricating, regularly taking antihistamines can still leave things pretty dry down there.
Speaking to Metro, Vanessa MacKay, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and Spokesperson for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists explained: “Vaginal dryness can be caused by a change to a woman’s hormones and this can occur due to a wide variety of things including medication.
“There are different types of antihistamine and some women may experience vaginal dryness when taking them.”
If you’re struggling with vaginal dryness as a side–effect, it’s worth speaking to your doctor.
Alternatively, the NHS recommends the following methods to ease your symptoms when pollen count is high:
- Put Vaseline around your nostrils to trap pollen
- Wear wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen getting into your eyes
- Shower and change your clothes after you’ve been outside to wash pollen off
- Stay indoors whenever possible
- Keep windows and doors shut as much as possible
- Vacuum regularly and dust with a damp cloth
- Buy a pollen filter for the air vents in your car and a vacuum cleaner with a special HEPA filter
We previously revealed how others are using barrier balms and other methods to prevent pollen from getting into their system in the first place.
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