How Do You Know if Your Alergic to Semen
Yes, it's possible to be allergic to semen
Although rare, it's possible to have an allergic reaction afterwards sex with a male partner considering of a sperm or semen allergy. According to the International Society for Sexual Medicine, this is more than likely to occur to females who have a male partner, and it can be misdiagnosed every bit vaginitis, a yeast infection, or a sexually transmitted affliction. The technical name is seminal plasma hypersensitivity, and it's really a reaction to the proteins in seminal plasma, the circuitous fluid in semen that carries sperm. If you feel whatever of these symptoms, consult with your dr. to rule out other possible causes. (At that place are many surprising reasons why you might experience painful sexual activity.)
You lot feel the burn
A semen allergy tin testify upward immediately after your partner ejaculates, and you might have burning, redness, swelling, and blisters in your vagina, says Sherry A. Ross, MD, an ob-gyn in Santa Monica, California, and the writer of She-ology. A semen allergy isn't the merely culprit with those types of symptoms though, so talk to your medico before jumping to conclusions. According to a report in the Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, seminal plasma hypersensitivity only affects up to an estimated 40,000 women in the United States. (It's not clear how oftentimes it may affect men with a male person partner.) If a semen allergy is suspected, the physician will need to rule out other allergies, such as reactions to condoms, spermicide, or scented tampons, as well every bit sexually transmitted infections, before making the diagnosis, says Dr. Ross.
You're getting itchy
With an itchy vagina, your first thought would probably be a yeast infection—and that is a practiced identify to first. Subsequently all, according to the Office of Women's Health, an estimated 75 percent of women will get at least i yeast infection in her life, making it far more common than a semen allergy. But if you don't have that telltale cottage cheese-similar discharge and the itching simply shows upwardly afterward sex, inquire your doctor about a semen allergy, suggests Peter Rizk, MD, a fertility expert for Premier Fertility Center in Houston, Texas. (Hither are nine tips for preventing yeast infections.)
This never happened earlier your current partner
All semen is non created equal. There'south a gamble your antibodies are reacting to one item protein in a new partner's semen that you've never been exposed to in the past, which is why you're simply feeling the symptoms at present. "She could be perfectly normal with one person and perfectly uncomfortable with another," says Dr. Rizk. Unfortunately, that'south also why it can be and so tricky to diagnose. Considering the reaction is specific to the proteins in your partner's semen, you likely won't be able to run into an allergist for allergy testing, says Dr. Ross. However, in that location are treatments. A doc can desensitize an individual to a partner'south semen by inserting a small corporeality of seminal fluid into the vagina or past giving the private allergy shots with the semen proteins. Not every allergist volition be equipped for the treatment though, so ask a urologist for recommendations, suggests Dr. Ross.
You lot only become symptoms with unprotected sexual activity
If you're allergic to latex, your symptoms would only show up if your partner is using a condom. With seminal plasma hypersensitivity, merely the contrary would happen: Y'all'd only get symptoms if a condom was non keeping semen away from your torso. If yous are trying to get pregnant with a partner and desensitization treatments don't work, there are steps you can have. A semen sample can be collected and washed in an infertility laboratory to remove the reaction-causing plasma, followed by an intrauterine insemination, says Dr. Rizk. (Considering options? Check out these 15 things that could be harming your fertility.)
You're breaking out in hives
Seminal fluid hypersensitivity might non simply stay localized in the spot the semen touched. "It can create hives and swelling, similar to what would happen if yous have an allergy to annihilation else," says Dr. Ross.
You're having trouble breathing
This isn't the typical quick breathing you do when things are getting hot and heavy. "You would think something is wrong," says Dr. Rizk. While a severe reaction is potentially life-threatening, Dr. Rizk emphasizes that he's never heard of a mortiferous reaction to semen, though the symptoms might get bad enough to brand you get to the ER. (Don't miss these other 20 bizarre things you lot tin be allergic to.)
Oral sex may be uncomfortable, too
Pain, swelling, redness, and baking in your mouth after oral sexual practice could be a red flag that you take a semen allergy. "If your body is reacting to the aforementioned proteins from the ejaculation, you could have that same allergic reaction [orally, too]," says Dr. Ross. Larn the answer to these other 19 questions yous're also embarrassed to inquire your gynecologist.
Sources
- Sherry A. Ross, MD, ob/gyn and author of She-ology, Santa Monica, CA.
- Peter Rizk, MD, fertility expert at Premier Fertility Center, Houston, TX.
- Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine: "Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity Reactions: An Updated Review."
- Part on Women'southward Wellness: "Vaginal Yeast Infections."
Medically reviewed by
Originally Published: January 12, 2018
Source: https://www.thehealthy.com/sex/semen-allergy-signs/
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