Ask the Sexpert: Gesundheit! Can I call you?

Dear Shanna,
This might sound slightly weird, but I think that when I get horny, I tend to sneeze a lot more. Is this a thing, or am I imagining it? If it helps, I am a transgender guy, and I do take testosterone shots.
– Can’t Stop Sneezing in Stapleton

Dear Sneezy,
Surprisingly, a fair amount of people notice an increase in sneezes, or at the very least, nose tickles, when they become aroused. Although there haven’t been a large number of in-depth scientific studies around this phenomenon, some folks in sexual health have come up with an explanation.

As you get aroused, your blood flows more quickly to your genital region (regardless of your sex or gender), which then helps your genital tissue engorge with blood and feel pleasure better. While that is happening, the increased movement of blood in the vessels can actually move the small hairs inside your noses. In many people, they feel nothing; however, some people feel this movement of these hairs, and that can result in either a sniffly/itchy nose, or in some people, sneezing.

It sounds like you’re part of the latter group. It shouldn’t be a big deal, but if it starts bugging you, just take a tissue or hanky with you when you’re ready to get it on. Best of luck!
– Shanna

Dear Shanna,
I’ve heard that having lots of sex can make you fat. Is this true? And if so, are there types of sex that won’t?
– Size Centric in Glendale

Dear Size Centric,
I get a lot of questions about sex, but this is the first time I’ve gotten this one. Frequently, I’m asked how many calories you can burn during sex, or if it counts as cardio. Thanks for mixing it up!

It boils down to this; the activity of sex itself (whether oral, anal, vaginal, kink play, etc.) will not innately make you gain weight. In fact, if you’re having sex fairly regularly, while it might not help you lose weight per se, you can definitely build muscles (including your PC muscles) and strengthen your core while you’re having sex. It’s true that most personal trainers and weight loss sites don’t include having sex as time spent for cardio training, but really, isn’t an hour of sexy time a lot more fun than spending an hour on a treadmill? If you combine time at the gym with the mattress mambo, you’ll be having a great time and still get the most out of your fitness membership.

And honestly, even if having sex results in weight gain (which it doesn’t), would that be a reason to stop having it?
Have fun doing the two-person tango,
– Shanna