The unexpected perk of winter colds making sex feel extra hot for men

While Monica Geller may protest otherwise, most would agree we’re not at our sexiest with a cold.

But if your partner can look past your stuffy nose, hoarse voice and overpowering vapour rub scent, there’s an unexpected perk they may just find irresistible.

On Reddit’s r/sex page, a man explained how his cold-ridden wife had a coughing fit during penetrative sex — and the sensation left him ‘very surprised’.

It’s an experience many commenters were familiar with, to the point they’d nicknamed it ‘the p**** guillotine’ or the ‘vice grip’.

Some went one step further though, including one who wrote, ‘The feeling is amazing,’ and another who joked: ‘I make her snort some pepper so she sneezes when we do it.’

‘One of my favourite things,’ added a third. ‘I mean, I don’t want her to have a cough, but if she is going to anyway.’

As odd as it may sound, Annabelle Knight, psychosexual therapist and Lovehoney expert, says there’s ‘actually a simple physiological explanation’ for why men might enjoy this.

‘When we cough or sneeze, our pelvic floor muscles contract involuntarily; these are the same muscles we engage during orgasm, and they play a huge role in sexual sensation,’ she tells Metro.

‘During penetrative sex, that sudden clenching or pulsing around the penis can create a brief increase in pressure and friction, which may feel intensely pleasurable for some men.

‘It’s similar to when a partner consciously squeezes their pelvic floor muscles during sex — just more unexpected and reflexive.’

Since no two penises are the same however, this won’t be the experience of every man. In fact, this ‘sudden pelvic contraction combined with a sharp body movement could cause discomfort’ in some.

It can be a hit or miss for women too, and ‘might heighten sensation internally’ or simply prove ‘a bit jarring’.

‘If someone isn’t fully aroused, if penetration is particularly deep and vigorous, or if there’s a size mismatch, it could feel uncomfortable rather than sexy,’ Annabelle explains.

‘People who experience pelvic pain conditions, vaginal dryness, or tension in the pelvic floor might be more likely to find this painful.’

The difference between pleasure and pain can also be down to whether there’s a ‘snug fit’, although Annabelle notes that ‘size isn’t the defining factor’ and there’s ‘a lot of myth-mongering around “tightness”.’

She adds: ‘Sensation is much more about muscle engagement, positioning, lubrication and how turned on both partners are.

‘When someone is properly aroused, blood flow increases and sensitivity heightens, which makes any muscular contractions feel more intense.’

Dos and don’ts of mid-sex coughing and sneezing

Because it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, and your partner is already fighting off an illness, ‘honesty without pressure’ is important if you want to give this a go.

Annabelle recommends keeping it playful by saying something like ‘I noticed it feels amazing when you are tensed like that’, then seeing how they react.

Trying to force a cough or sneeze is neither practical or sexy, so ‘intentional pelvic floor engagement’ through kegel exercises may be a better option in the long-term.

Either way, sticking to these rules can help make it an enjoyable experience:

• Do make sure there’s plenty of arousal and lubrication first.
• Do communicate clearly and keep it light and pressure-free.
• Do explore slow thrusting while your partner gently pulses their pelvic floor muscles.
• Don’t surprise your partner with sudden deep thrusting if they cough – that could hurt.
• Don’t continue if it’s uncomfortable for either of you.

And with any sexual encounter, regularly checking in with yourself and your partner is key.

‘Pleasure should never come at the expense of comfort,’ Annabelle continues. ‘When you approach it as shared exploration rather than a performance goal, you’re much more likely to both enjoy the experience.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.