In the Reducing Emergency Asthma Care In Harlem Project, researchers examined the impact asthma has on sex life. Of 356 asthmatics who went to the ER for asthma care:
- 80% of asthmatics participated in sexual activity in the 2 weeks prior to their emergency room visit
- 60% reported some limitations in their sex life
- Sex was the 15th most common asthma limitation reported
- Sexual impairment was the 3rd most important limitation reported by the patients after ability to climb stairs and ability to do housework.
How Does Asthma Worsen My Sex Life?
Sexual activity can set off your asthma in several ways:
- "Sex exercise Induced Asthma:" These are asthma episodes that cannot be attributed to any other activity other than sexual excitement. Many of these patients and their partners have significant anxiety and apprehension. Some asthmatics may experience symptoms at the beginning of intimate contact that prevents completion of sex, while others may experience asthma symptoms 4 to 6 hours after sex.
This is not considered a variant of exercise-induced asthma because drops in peak flows are not seen with exercise, but are seen with sexual activity. This form of asthma and sex can be treated by taking medications before sex, or may be a sign that your asthma is poorly controlled and you need more treatment.








