Scientists claim that arthritis can be defeated by having s*x. Millions of people have a painful condition, famously suffered by Henry VIII.
This leaves them with excruciating joint pain, which is usually treatable with over-the-counter pain relievers.
But experts say that having more s*x can help combat the condition, which is the most common type of arthritis.
Scientists claim that arthritis can be defeated by having s*x. Italian researchers believe it encourages people to give up alcohol and red meat. Over-indulging in either can lead to a situation
What is Gout?
A gout is a form of arthritis that can be extremely painful.
Painful attacks come on very quickly, often during the night.
It affects around two percent of people in the UK and 8.3 million in the US.
Gout was once thought to be caused by excessive eating and drinking, however, this is not the whole story.
The condition is caused by a build-up of uric acid, which can occur because a person’s kidneys cannot get rid of the substance quickly enough.
Over time, uric-acid crystals can build up in and around the joints, triggering severe inflammation that usually heals within a week.
In any given day, about three-quarters of the urate in our bodies comes from the breakdown of purines produced within our bodies, while about a quarter comes from the breakdown of purines in the food and beverages we consume.
Foods and drinks high in purines include:
Liquor
red meat and offal
oily fish, such as mackerel and salmon
foods rich in yeast extracts, such as Marmite and Bovril
As well as pain, symptoms can involve the joints:
Red
warm
Swelling
shiny
Without treatment, gout attacks can become more frequent, with more joints affected.
The two most common pain relievers used to treat gout are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and colchicine.
You don’t have to face arthritis alone. Our consultants aim to bring together all the information and advice about arthritis in one place to provide tailored support for you.
The latest research looked at the evidence from studies on how being in a couple and having a good s*x life affected outcomes for gout patients.
Researchers reviewed the available literature on gout and its relationship to s*xual and erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and relationships.
They found that the condition not only impairs s*xual performance – improvements in s*xual health have a backward effect on managing the condition.
The team, led by endocrinologist Dr. Andrea Sansone from the University of Rome Tor Vergata, said: ‘Improving gout management leads to better s*xual health, and conversely promoting better s*xual health may improve disease control for gout.
‘The presence of a partner improves the behavioral well-being of gout patients, with beneficial effects on both s*xual health and gout management.
‘The bidirectional link between gout and s*xual dysfunction, ie, how gout can have negative consequences for s*xual health and how promoting a healthy s*x life can improve the clinical and therapeutic outcomes of gout, therefore, is a promising new chapter in s*xual medicine. Which research will continue more and more in the coming years.
They didn’t specify how likely more s*x actually is to reduce gout.
But sticking to a healthy weight and exercising regularly can help avoid painful flare-ups, says the NHS.
Previous research has also linked a healthy s*x life with improvements in the immune system and mental health.
Experts welcomed the latest study published today in the journal S*xual Medicine.
She added that the benefits of s*x may be greater for partners who encourage their loved ones to adhere to treatment.
Rheumatologist at King’s College London Dr. Mark Russell told MailOnline: ‘This study highlights one of the many effects of gout on patients.
‘Gout affects one in 40 people in the UK, and we know from research that it is often under-recognized and untreated.
‘There are very effective medicines such as allopurinol which can be taken over a long period of time to control gout and prevent complications.
‘This study highlights a possible link between s*xual health and treatment adherence in gout.
‘We know from studies that treatment adherence is often lower in people with gout than in those with other chronic conditions.
‘This study may provide relevant context for health professionals when discussing the importance of adherence to medications such as allopurinol, which are highly effective in controlling gout symptoms and preventing complications.’
About 1.5 million people in the UK and 9.2 million in the US suffer from gout. It is almost twice as prevalent in men than in women.
Official figures show the number of British cases has risen by a fifth in three years.
Experts believe that rising obesity, sedentary lifestyle during the lockdown, and poor diet are behind the increase.
The painful condition causes sudden and severe joint pain, usually in the big toe, but also in other parts of the feet, hands, wrists, elbows, or knees.
This can result in warm, swollen, red skin over the joint.
Too much uric acid — produced when breaking down chemicals in certain foods like red meat and alcohol — can cause sodium urate crystals to accumulate in and around the joints in the body, causing discomfort and pain.
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