SE LA Times

• People who suffer from chronic sinusitis are at risk of developing erectile dysfunction.

• Medications such as Sudafed and other decongestants can also cause erectile dysfunction.

• New treatment options, such as balloon sinuplasty, are available for patients with chronic sinusitis.

Dr. Matt Hershcovitch of SoCal Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers wants people suffering from chronic sinusitis to be aware that the condition may negatively impact their sex life. 

"Decrease in sex drive and libido is linked to chronic sinusitis indirectly," Hershcovitch told SE LA Times. "Those with chronic sinusitis often are having headaches, nasal obstruction, decreased oxygenation to their body. This leads to increased cortisol levels and decreased libido and sex drive. Consequently, as an aside, one of the things that can actually help temporarily improve nasal congestion -- only temporary, unfortunately, it's not a long-term cure -- is having sex. Having sex transiently improves nasal congestion. So for those who are suffering before they get to their appointment, it's something they may want to try."

Yahoo! Sports reported that men suffering from chronic sinusitis are as much as 50% more likely to be impotent, compared to men who don’t have sinusitis. The study from Kaohsiung University in Taiwan found that when sinusitis inflames the lining of the sinuses, it causes the blood vessels in men's genitals to restrict blood flow.

Erectile dysfunction, which the National Institutes of Health defines as "the inability to attain and maintain an erection of sufficient quality to permit satisfactory sexual intercourse,” affects approximately 5% of men in the U.S., according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). A study using data from more than 1 million people from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database found that chronic sinusitis is associated with increased risk of erectile dysfunction. The occurrence of erectile dysfunction in patients significantly decreased with functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

While some people might turn to cold medications such as Sudafed to try and alleviate their sinus symptoms, Men’s Journal reports that decongestants can also cause erectile dysfunction.

People who suffer from chronic sinusitis have several surgical treatment options, including endoscopy and balloon sinuplasty, according to WebMD. Endoscopy is a common procedure, during which a doctors inserts a thin, flexible instrument called an endoscope into the nose. One instrument features a small camera lens that sends images back to a screen, enabling the doctor to see where the sinuses are blocked and then gently remove polyps, scar tissue and other blockages.

The procedure offers a fast and easy recovery process, as it doesn’t involve cutting into the skin. This allows for the patient to remain awake, given that the doctors use only a local anesthetic to numb the area.

Another newer treatment is balloon sinuplasty, which is a good option for patients who don't need anything removed from the sinuses. The doctor inserts a thin tube into the nose with a small balloon attached to one end. The doctor then guides the balloon to the blocked area inside the nose and inflates it. The balloon helps clear the passageway so the that sinuses can drain properly, alleviating congestion.

If you're interested in learning more about sinusitis or various treatment options, please take this Sinus Self-Assessment Quiz.