Honeymoon rhinitis

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Honeymoon rhinitis
Specialty ENT

Honeymoon rhinitis (or honeymoon nose) is a condition in which the sufferer experiences nasal congestion during sexual intercourse or arousal. [1]

The condition appears to be genetically determined and caused by the presence in the nose of erectile tissue which may become engorged during sexual arousal, as a side effect of the signals from the autonomic nervous system that trigger changes in the genitals of both men and women.

A related condition called sexually induced sneezing also exists, where people sneeze, sometimes uncontrollably, when engaging in or even thinking about sexual activity. [2]

A phenomenon presumably related to honeymoon rhinitis is the frequent side effect of nasal congestion during the use of sildenafil or related phosphodiesterase type 5 antagonists. [3]

See also

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References

  1. Monteseirin, Javier; Camacho, M. Jesús; Bonilla, Isabella; Sánchez-Hernández, C.; Hernández, Marycarmen; Conde, José (2002-01-15) [April 2001]. "Honeymoon rhinitis". Allergy . 56 (4): 353–354. doi:10.1034/j.1398-9995.2001.00054.x. ISSN   0105-4538. PMID   11284809. S2CID   28018615.
  2. "Sneezing 'can be sign of arousal'". BBC News . BBC. 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  3. Khan, Latief Ahmed; Khan, Sarosh Ahmed; Al-Hateeti, Hussni (September 1999). "Sildenafil (Viagra) May Cause Nasal Stuffiness". Annals of Saudi Medicine . 19 (5): 468. doi:10.5144/0256-4947.1999.468. ISSN   0256-4947. PMID   17277525.