Sex position giving me breathing difficulties.

[mckenzie]

Not TMI I hope but I don’t want to drip feed.
Occasionally I will go on top during sex. This usually occurs after I have climaxed and when DH is already well aroused so the length of time before DH climaxes is not that long.

So I know I’m ‘doing the work’ so to speak but I am fit and healthy so why do I get scarily breathless at the end? DH says that my eyes look like I’m frightened for my life and I feel like I do not have any air. I usually put my hands over my mouth and nose (instinct. No idea if it helps) and DH encourages me to breathe slowly and relax.

It’s scary. Why the hell does it happen? Is being on top really that much exertion? I can run up a hill and sprint on a bike and not get like it.

This is a genuine post. I’m not a pervy weirdo, honestly.

How bazar. I'm mean, it did make me laugh! But, that is really weird, I couldn't run up a hill, jeez I'd have the same look in my eyes!!! But I can go on top and do enough for it to be enjoyable for all parties. Is it only in this position?

Just because it's a genuine post, doesn't mean you're not a pervy weirdo.

i am relatively unfit but can manage to be on top for a fair amount of time, I think the covering of your face isn't helping? Have you tried moving your butt up and down only as opposed to your whole top half?

Also, why if you're struggling to breath do you cover your face?

@imclaustrophobicdarren that's what I thought!?

Oh I can't breathe so I'll cover my face

Dehydration and exhaustion. I struggle and feel like I'm going to die after

Just because it's a genuine post, doesn't mean you're not a pervy weirdo.

Sorry, I don't mean that I cover my face per se but that I put 2 cupped together hands over my nose and mouth

This is crazy, that's like being under water and trying to breathe

Are you having a panic attack?

Why are you suffocating yourself what's the bloody point

I don't think I'm having a panic attack, no.
I just feel like I can't breathe, like I don't have enough air in my lungs and I can't breathe any in.

I know it's really weird which is why

1. we don't do it very often
2. I've never asked my GP about it

I guess smellbow; should that make me totally breathless so you think?

Thanks for posting. I don’t believe my legs shake, no.

I was at the GP today changing my HRT and bit the bullet and asked her. She had i idea why it happened either.

Hey ho. One of life’s mysteries to keep us on our toes and our brains active trying to solve

If both your hands are over your mouth and nose you will be making a lot more effort to balance and move. If you're on top put your hands down on the bed or on your husbands chest to help balance and exert less energy. Obviously covering your mouth and nose isn't going to help with breathing difficulties, some people me hold their breath prior to climax but that doesn't sound like what you're doing.

Agree with @RushianDisney if you are holding your hands to your face you're having to work a lot harder to balance and move.
Have you tried reverse cowgirl? Does it have the same suffocating effect on you?
To be honest if it makes you feel so horrible, and I understand that maybe there's no logic to it and you don't know why it happens, but that's just as valid a reason to not like it as anything else... don't do it? There are a lot of other positions out there! Don't do something that makes you feel so unsettled and uncomfortable

Oh dear, I’ve not explained myself properly.

I go on top after I have climaxed to bring DH to his climax. After DH has climaxed and I have stopped any exertion that is when I suddenly feel like I cannot breathe and that is when I instinctively cut my hands over my face.
While the action is taking place everything is fine.

It is in the immediate aftermath that I get this horrible scary sensation.

Does it happen when you've had sex in other positions? That horrible feeling just after its finished?

No. Only when I’m on top.

Hmm, well that does sound scary especially as you don't know why it's happening, I think I stand by my initial response of don't do it if it makes you feel like that. If it's after you've finished it sounds like it's something psychological rather than physical?
Unless maybe your airway or circulation is somehow inhibited in your position on top but I can't imagine how?

Is there a reason why you can't just stop going on top? Isn't that the natural common sense solution?

Are you aware of having any respiratory conditions in the family? Maybe this is your body's way of telling you to see a respiratory consultant or
maybe have an assessment with a specialist nurse? I don't think you need to be unduly alarmed but if this respiratory distress only happens in one particular set of circumstances, you owe it to yourself to find out what is wrong.

OTOH if you are a perv and I've wasted 5 minutes of my Friday night typing this out, then it doesn't matter

Spanishtiles, no reason at all other than it’s nice. It is rare for us though because of what happens. But I like it and so does DH
Luckylou, it’s happened often enough now that I guess although I’m still scared I’m not as scared as I know I can get it back under control.
No breathing issues nor general health issues at all as far as I’m aware. I’m probably classified as past middle aged but fit and healthy.