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What Causes Numbness In The Body, Cyanosis And Slight Paralysis During Intercourse?

Posted on Tue, 29 Sep 2015

Question: Please! My daughter (age 23) has an odd issue whenever she is sexually active. Her face tends to go numb or even her body. She has turned a bluish color and cannot speak for several minutes. She has a short bowel (since birth). This issue only occurs during sexual intercourse. She has been told by one doctor that it is part of an orgasm and by another that it may be neurological. I am quite concerned. Have you heard of this before or do you have any possible diagnosis? She is visiting us in NC for a few weeks before going back to Scotland to finish a grad degree. Waiting for an appointment there can take weeks or months. She has had problems with the new arm "stick" and is having it removed tomorrow. She is replacing it with an IUD. She is sensitive to hormones. She is a twin and her twin has had no problems. I have had severe endometriosis, resulting in a complete hysterectomy. I was also very sensitive to hormones, especially deprovera. I am very concerned and quite frightened. Any help would be greatly appreciated. XXXX

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Due to hyperventilation

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. Numbness in the body , face turning blue and slight paralysis during intercourse is mostly due to hyperventilation (breathing deeply) during sexual intercourse. Breathing deeply and quickly during intercourse leads to alteration in the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood , which lead to numbness in body, short paralysis and cyanosis (face turning blue). This is not related to the hormonal implant she is having.
I suggest her to avoid hyperventilation during intercourse, and breathe normally.This is a bit difficult, but can be achieved with time.This will solve her problem most probably.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
You can communicate with me directly by asking a direct question to me on health care magic portal.
Wishing you both good health.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (32 minutes later)

Thank you for your response Dr. XXXXXXX I shared it with Andi and she does not feel as though she hyperventilates during sexual arousal. Is it possible she may be doing so without realizing it? Or perhaps not breathing normally without realizing? She was on an oscillating ventilator as an infant and may have some long-term issues we are unaware of. She exercises regularly; however, we often notice her breathing heavily on a day-to day basis. She does not notice this, but has been told by a number of other individuals.

Thank you,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hyperventilation is highly probable

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear, thanks for responding. Sexual arousal and orgasm lead to deep breathing in many people, but some may hyperventilate a bit more leading to gaseous disturbances in the body and therefore numbness and cyanosis. More so, if she is breathing heavily frequently and had respiratory issues as an infant, the chances are more that these problems during sexual intercourse are due to hyperventilation.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (17 minutes later)

Thank you; we truly appreciate your time!

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX XXXXXXX
We are happy to help you.
You can contact me in future on this forum by placing a direct query on my name.
Wishing good health to you and your family.
Regards
Dr Deepti Verma

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar