As allergy season intensifies, experts are warning about a surprising and often overlooked symptom: difficulties in the bedroom.
While over 100 million Americans experience seasonal allergies annually, many are noticing that their allergy symptoms go beyond the usual stuffy noses and itchy eyes.
This year, there seems to be a significant increase in allergy-related issues, and the culprit might be global warming.
Rising Temperatures and Pollen Production
Environmental experts explain that global warming is playing a role in extending the plant blooming season.
Warmer temperatures allow pollen to be produced earlier and linger longer throughout the year.
This increase in pollen levels, coupled with more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is creating an environment where plants can thrive and produce excessive amounts of pollen, making the allergy season more intense than ever.
Allergies Linked to Sexual Dysfunction
But it’s not just your sinuses that could be affected.
Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, can lead to unexpected complications in the bedroom, including sexual dysfunction.
Allergies trigger the immune system, which can cause overreaction in the body.
This reaction might contribute to issues like erectile dysfunction (ED). Dr. Ashwin Sharma, a health expert from Imperial College London, explains that the cells involved in allergies can also lead to the hardening of arteries, a well-known risk factor for ED.
He emphasizes that men suffering from severe allergies this spring may also face challenges in their sex lives, as reduced blood flow and lower nitric oxide production – both essential for maintaining an erection – can significantly affect sexual health.
Dr. Sharma adds that those with allergic rhinitis appear to be at a higher risk of developing ED, depending on the severity of their symptoms.
The Connection Between Allergies and Cardiovascular Health
Seasonal allergies, which usually affect individuals in the spring and summer, can vary depending on the type of pollen in the air.
Tree pollen tends to be the most abundant from February through June, while grass pollen peaks between May and August, and weed pollen is more prominent from July to October.
According to the CDC, about 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year, which can cause inflammatory responses in the body and put added stress on the cardiovascular system.
As blood vessels constrict and harden, it becomes harder for blood to flow freely, which can hinder erectile function.
Moreover, the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline triggered by allergies can interfere with blood flow and hormonal balance, further complicating things in the bedroom.
Research Shows Allergies Increase ED Risk
A study conducted in Taiwan in 2013 and published in the European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that men with allergic rhinitis were at a significantly higher risk of developing erectile dysfunction.
The study followed over 128,000 men between the ages of 18 and 55 over an eight-year period.
It found that men with allergies had a 37% higher risk of developing ED compared to their counterparts without allergies.
Allergies Aren’t Just a Male Problem
It’s not just men who experience complications in the bedroom due to allergies.
Women suffering from allergic rhinitis may also experience sexual dysfunction, particularly when it comes to nasal obstruction or altered sense of smell (dysosmia).
A study published in February 2025 by Chinese researchers revealed that a lack of smell could significantly affect a woman’s sexual experience, including arousal, desire, and overall enjoyment.
The study, which involved over 1,000 women with allergic rhinitis, found that nasal obstruction resulted in a 31% decrease in sexual desire, a 21% drop in arousal, and a staggering 61% reduction in the ability to achieve orgasm.
Furthermore, sexual satisfaction overall decreased by 34%.
The impaired sense of smell, often linked to nasal congestion, was also found to reduce arousal, orgasms, and sexual satisfaction by as much as 54%.
How Nasal Congestion Affects Sexual Desire
Nasal obstruction, which occurs when allergies affect the sinuses, can block the sense of smell – a sense that plays a significant role in sexual arousal.
An inability to smell can limit the body’s natural response to certain scents, such as pheromones, which stimulate the release of sexual hormones like testosterone and estrogen.
These hormones are crucial for sexual desire and motivation, and without the proper stimulation, overall sexual function can suffer.
Dr. Li Zhao, a leading researcher on the subject, explains that both male and female patients with allergic rhinitis face increased risks of sexual dysfunction.
She notes that nasal congestion and a distorted sense of smell were found to have the most profound effects, particularly in women, impacting arousal, orgasm, and overall sexual satisfaction.
The Bigger Picture: Impact on Quality of Life
These findings highlight the importance of treating not only the respiratory effects of allergies but also their broader impact on quality of life, including sexual health.
Addressing the symptoms of allergic rhinitis could help improve overall well-being, allowing individuals to enjoy a healthier and more fulfilling life in all aspects, including their sexual relationships.
With allergy season in full swing, it’s crucial for those affected to be aware of how their symptoms might be impacting their health beyond the usual congestion and discomfort.
Managing allergies effectively could go a long way in improving both physical and emotional well-being.
