Delhi's Toxic Air Is Killing Your Sex Drive & It Only Gets Worse From There

A layer of thick smog continues to envelope the country¡¯s capital and other adjoining cities. With a reported AQI (Air Quality Index) of 832 for New Delhi today, pollution in the city seems to be as stubborn as the pride of Delhiites.

The smog refuses to disappear despite measures like a ban on construction and Arvind Kejriwal¡¯s infamous odd-even scheme.

We are all well-versed with how air pollution has severe consequences on our health. But do we really care about breathing hazardous air? Well, it is high time we do: Delhi¡¯s toxic smog can even affect your sex drive.

Ashish Pareek

¡°A lowered or missing libido seems to be one of the most common symptoms of breathing hazardous air.¡± says Dr Anil Kumar Varshney, Senior Director, Urology, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi. ¡°Everyone is affected.¡±

If you are one of the lucky few, who despite the foul air feels ready for a good time, chances are your partner will give you the 'headache' excuse. You have got to believe them. The lack of fresh air causes changes in our moods; irritability is at an all time high followed by persistent headaches. How is one then to go ahead and make love?

Reuters

A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, details the impact of air pollution on sexual drive by citing how heavy metals present in the air give rise to imbalances in hormones that are responsible for sexual desire.

Hormones like cortisol, thyroid, estrogen, DHEA and testosterone are essential to keep sexually active, and your moods in balance. So, it is not just headaches but deeper alterations in our body functions, which in the long run can have a huge impact that can last for days. Dr Kumar adds, ¡°For enhanced sexual performance, you need fresh air. And more than our sexual organs, fresh air is vital for the proper functioning of all organs.¡±

Air pollution is also known to further complications in pregnancy leading to stillbirth and miscarriages. However, a study in Nature Sustainability cites how pregnant women exposed to toxic pollutants in the atmosphere could suffer silent miscarriages. This is when a foetus stops growing and dies while the mother sees no physical symptoms for a long period.

"There is scientific evidence leading to prove that high pollution levels are enough to cause infertility in individuals and increases the chances of miscarriage in women." says Dr. Glossy Sabharwal, MD, Director of Radiology, Apollo Spectra Hospital, New Delhi.

Reuters

So what are we supposed to do? There is only one way out, literally. We have to leave the city for a while, to help breathe easy. The perfect solution to keep yourself and your relationship healthy would be to get out of the smog.

¡°Natural therapy is required to raise the sexual appetite all over again. We have had cases where we have recommended that patients spend significant time in the hills or other areas that have fresh air. And naturally, your sexual desire increases¡± says Kumar.

Besides getting out of town, you can also practice certain yoga postures and enroll yourself in a wellness centre where you eat right, sleep well, exercise and come back rejuvenated.