Can You Be Allergic to Semen? An OB/GYN Weighs In

A semen allergy—also called seminal plasma hypersensitivity—may cause something from discomfort in your genital and anal area to full-body allergic responses. It could sound scary, however don’t be concerned: Such a allergy could be managed in a wide range of methods, relying on its severity.

Undecided if that is what’s occurring to you? Learn on to study what a semen allergy is like, the way it’s identified, and what you are able to do to maintain issues snug (and secure) within the bed room.

What causes a semen allergy?

A semen allergy is your immune system’s response to the proteins in your accomplice’s seminal fluid, not the precise sperm, says Maureen Whelihan, MD, FACOG, an OB/GYN and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) fellow primarily based in Florida. Semen allergic reactions can irritate not simply the pores and skin round your genitals but in addition wherever semen touches, like your arms and even the delicate tissues inside your mouth and throat. Specialists aren’t precisely certain why this occurs, however doable culprits embrace sure drugs or hormonal adjustments like pregnancy or menopause.

In keeping with Dr. Whelihan, food sensitivities would possibly play a task right here, too. For instance, you probably have a peanut allergy and have intercourse with a accomplice who ate peanuts, hint quantities of the nuts can come across in body fluids (like semen) and set off an allergic response, she provides.

There are various kinds of semen allergic reactions

Analysis reveals that there are two forms of semen allergy: localized and systemic. Whereas some individuals expertise a localized allergy (aka a response solely on the pores and skin that comes into contact with semen), others expertise a whole-body—or systemic—response. This is a breakdown of what every entails:

• Localized: Impacts solely areas in direct contact with semen, just like the genitals, arms, or lips, inflicting burning or stinging sensations.
• Systemic: Hits the entire physique, with signs like hassle respiratory, swollen lips or tongue, hives, and even anaphylactic shock, a extreme, probably life-threatening allergic response (extra on this later).

Whereas each could be sequence and warrant a go to to your healthcare supplier, systemic reactions require quick medical consideration.

What are the signs of a semen allergy?

As famous, most of the signs of a semen allergy resemble these of different allergic reactions, together with the next, per Dr. Whelihan:

• Itching, redness, swelling, or burning pores and skin
• Hives
• Swollen lips or tongue
• Hassle respiratory
• Dizziness
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

It is uncommon for a semen allergy to set off anaphylactic shock, however when you occur to note signs like a swollen throat, weak pulse, or lack of consciousness, search quick medical consideration at your close by emergency room.

How briskly do the signs present up? You may usually discover them within 30 minutes of contact (i.e., after sexual exercise), and so they can final hours to days. In some circumstances, you would possibly discover indicators of an allergic response the primary time you’ve intercourse with out a condom. However semen allergic reactions may also occur out of the blue (even when you did not have one up to now), reminiscent of after menopause or childbirth. Apparently, it could additionally have an effect on you with some companions however not with others.

Simply be mindful: A post-sex rash or irritation does not at all times imply you’ve a semen allergy, Dr. Whelihan says. Greater than possible, irritation is from both an an infection or pores and skin irritant (just like the lube you are utilizing or latex from the condoms) inflicting the difficulty. Should you’re not sure of the trigger, your healthcare supplier might help you work it out.

Who’s most in danger for a semen allergy?

Whereas anybody who has unprotected intercourse can have a semen allergy, it is exceedingly uncommon and tends to have an effect on individuals with a vagina or who “endure from different allergic reactions (immune system issues),” Dr. Whelihan says. Whereas some experiences have estimated that about 40,000 people with vaginas in the U.S. have a semen allergy, this quantity may very well be larger since some individuals really feel embarrassed to convey the subject up with their healthcare supplier.

In even rarer circumstances, individuals with a penis who produce semen could be allergic to their very own seminal fluid—a situation known as post-orgasmic illness syndrome. Signs of this situation can occur inside minutes to hours of ejaculation and final for as much as seven days.

Can it trigger infertility points?

Fortunately, being allergic to semen can not immediately contribute to infertility—i.e., issue getting pregnant. That stated, having the sort of allergy could make conception a bit trickier, particularly you probably have a extreme systemic allergy that places your life in danger. Fortunately, there are lots of choices that will help you get pregnant.

The primary fertility possibility is a remedy known as intrauterine insemination (IUI), which includes docs extracting sperm, “washing” them in a medical lab to take away problematic proteins, after which injecting them immediately into your uterus, Dr. Whelihan says. Different choices—also called assisted reproductive technologies (ART)—embrace remedies like the next:

The best way to deal with a semen allergy

Avoiding semen is the best solution to dodge an allergic response—merely use condoms or skip intercourse. For some individuals, even the pull-out method (the place your accomplice pulls his penis out of your physique earlier than ejaculating), could be useful, too, Dr. Whelihan says. However when you’re attempting to conceive, these methods in all probability will not be the best choice for you. Right here’s how your healthcare supplier would possibly be capable to assist, in response to current research:

• Medicine: Taking an antihistamine (like Benadryl) earlier than intercourse can ease signs. Should you’ve had extreme reactions, your healthcare supplier would possibly prescribe an EpiPen (which is used for different forms of allergic reactions).
• Desensitizing by way of immunotherapy: This remedy includes steadily exposing your physique to diluted semen by way of an intravaginal remedy. Over time, it could construct tolerance, however you’ll have to have intercourse frequently (suppose: a number of instances per week) to take care of it.

Speak to your supplier to determine the best choice for you.

When to see a healthcare supplier

Should you suppose you may need a semen allergy (and it is retaining you from having intercourse together with your accomplice), attain out to your healthcare supplier. It could really feel awkward to convey it up, however they’re professionals and are there to assist. Signs like swelling, itching, redness, or extra critical signs like hassle respiratory, nausea, or vomiting after intercourse could be handled.

To begin, your healthcare supplier will wish to rule out different situations like vaginal infections via a pelvic exam. As a result of semen allergic reactions can mimic different situations—like STIs, vaginitis, or yeast infections—a skin test (injecting a small quantity of your accomplice’s semen beneath your pores and skin) might assist pinpoint the difficulty, per Dr. Whelihan.

One other easy check you’ll be able to attempt at residence? Use a condom throughout intercourse. In case your signs disappear, semen may very well be the offender. If not, different allergens like lubricants, spermicides, contraceptives, soaps, and even laundry detergents is perhaps accountable. Regardless of the case, your supplier might help you unravel it and show you how to discover reduction.