Here's a side-effect not to be sneezed at. Researchers have discovered that a common medication for hay fever could also boost your sex life.
Some people taking a type of antihistamine also used to treat insomnia reported that it had a more potent effect on their sex drive than Viagra.
The over-the-counter remedies used by millions increased sexual arousal, sensitivity and pleasure in some users, scientists found. One man told them the effect was so powerful it was ‘physically and emotionally draining’.
The results are surprising as the antihistamine involved – diphenhydramine hydrochloride (DPH) – is traditionally linked to erectile dysfunction rather than enhancing sex drive.
But researchers found that it could instead ‘facilitate sexual arousal, genital sensitivity and pleasure at orgasm’ in certain cases. ‘Some found the effects stronger than those of prescription medications for sexual arousal disorders,’ they said.
DPH is the active ingredient in common brands such as Nytol Original, Boots Sleepeaze and Histergan and is also used to treat insect bites and eczema.
Researchers said it was unclear why the medications had boosted the sex lives of some people and not others. But one theory is that DPH may switch from being a sedative to a stimulant for people who metabolise it faster.
Researchers from the Czech Republic’s Centre for Sexual Health and Interventions quizzed nine people aged 20 to 36 who had written in an online forum about experiencing arousal from DPH.
Some people taking a type of antihistamine also used to treat insomnia reported that it had a more potent effect on their sex drive than Viagra (pictured)
Hay fever sufferers are now likely to struggle with the condition for two weeks longer than they would have done in the Nineties because climate change has prolonged the pollen season
They included those who normally had a low libido, and one woman on antidepressants, which can reduce the libido. She said DPH ‘overrode’ that effect, enabling sustained sexual desire.
Respondents compared the effect of DPH favourably with the Viagra family of drugs. They said that while the blue pill boosted erectile function, it did not provide the boost in emotional and sensory feelings that came with DPH.
The discovery comes after it was revealed that hay fever sufferers are now likely to struggle with the condition for two weeks longer than they would have done in the Nineties because climate change has prolonged the pollen season.
It is not the first time medications have had the unexpected side effect of boosting sex drive.
The widow of a Parkinson’s sufferer has told how her husband became a sex addict overnight after being prescribed pramipexole, collecting pornography and demanding sex at least three times a day.
Heartburn? Get your eyes tested
Touch of heartburn or acid reflux? Reaching for the Gaviscon? Maybe you’ll need your eyes looked at as well.
Indigestion is linked to a higher chance of cataracts, a study of 600,000 patients shows.
Having gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is associated with a 13 per cent increase in cataract risk. One possibility, say researchers at Shanghai University, is that a compound from gastric juices may find its way into our tears.
This triggers inflammation and development of cataracts. ‘These findings highlight the potential importance of managing heartburn to reduce the risk of cataract development,’ the team wrote in the journal Advances in Ophthalmology Practice and Research.
It is the first large-scale investigation into the link between GORD and cataracts.
These findings underscore the, say: ‘This study provides genetic evidence supporting a causal effect of GORD on cataract risk. To date, no studies have investigated the causal relationship between the two, and these findings highlight the potential importance of managing heartburn to reduce the risk of cataract development.’
It is estimated that 79 million people worldwide are affected by visual problems due to cataracts. About 15 per cent of adults have GORD. The main symptoms are frequent heartburn and acid reflux, where stomach acid flows back up into the oesophagus, causing burning pain.
The researchers used data from 602,000 people from the UK and elsewhere, comparing GORD prevalence with that of cataracts, taking into account factors including 15 lifestyle factors and diseases.
Results show that GORD was associated with an average 13 per cent increased risk of cataracts, ranging from seven to 19 per cent.
The team of eye specialists and urologists from Shanghai University School of Medicine say: ‘Our study revealed a 7-19% increased risk of cataracts in patients with GORD in comparison to healthy individuals.
'As the first large-scale investigation into the relationship between GORD and cataracts, these findings underscore the potential clinical relevance of a causal link between these conditions.’
Just how the two could be linked is unclear. One theory is that a compound called pepsin is key. It is a stomach enzyme that breaks down proteins. One possibility is that it gets into tears and causes inflammation, leading to the development of cataracts.
Other causes of inflammation and diseases may be involved too. The team also found higher rates of heart disease and diabetes in GORD patients.