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Having a healthy sex life could help alleviate hay fever symptoms, according to a team of scientists.

Researchers in Iran found that the reproductive system is linked to the nasal system.

They said that sex constricts blood vessels in the nose and eyes, which causes eyes to stop streaming and helps unblock stuffy noses.

The team at Tabriz Medical University admit they have not yet conducted clinical trials to test their hypotheses. However, if they are proved right, they could help reduce reliance on antihistamine drugs.

Sina Zarrintan, one of the neurologists behind the research, says his method would be a lot more enjoyable and cheaper than more conventional treatments, but stressed it would not be necessary to do it all the time.

"It can be done from time to time to alleviate the congestion and the patient can adjust the number of intercourses depending on the severity of the symptoms," he said.

Sceptics have ridiculed the idea.

Mohammed Amin Abolghassemi Fakhree, also from Tabriz University, said: “There are some limitations in using ejaculation as a treatment of nasal congestion, such as not being applicable out of home and not having any sex partner."