Are You Allergic To Sex?

A rare condition, in which some women can be allergic to sex with men, can occur. The compounds in the semen that appear to trigger this allergy seem to be proteins from the prostate gland. Allergic women produce an antibody to the proteins. This disorder is termed as "human seminal plasma hypersensitivity." If left untreated, this problem is a sure marriage and relationship wrecker. It could also be a source of frustration for the couple who wants to have children but must always use a condom.

The first case of an allergy to human seminal fluid was documented in 1958. Since then, the disorder has been diagnosed in a small number of cases. However, allergists believe the disorder is not readily recognized by gynaecologists.

For many women, a sexual allergy is as serious as a heart attack. Most sufferers complain of symptoms that include wheezing, itching, swelling and hives elsewhere on the body, chest tightness, vomiting, or diarrhoea. Semen allergy symptoms include localized reactions such as itching, burning and swelling in the genitals. Some women even report blisters in and near their genitalia. Severe reactions include choking sensation, loss of consciousness, drop in blood pressure or complete circulatory collapse. These distressed women could also die if anaphylactic shock causes the air pathways to swell up and block completely.

Typically symptoms occur within 30 minutes of intercourse, but in rare cases it may be hours or even days late. In some women, the reaction occurs only with one partner while others are allergic to all partners. Also, women are not in all cases allergic to semen itself, but to chemicals in the semen from food, beverages or medications that the man has had, ranging from penicillin to compounds in walnuts.

In an annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, a researcher put forth that about half of all women with semen allergy have other allergies as well, such as skin allergy or hay fever. Most women with the allergy are between age 20 and 30, and 41 percent experience symptoms the first time they have sex. In most cases, symptoms gradually worsen and occur sooner with subsequent exposures.

Seminal fluid hypersensitivity can be anticipated when a female has zero symptoms after sex with a condom but shows clear symptoms of human seminal plasma hypersensitivity in case of unprotected intercourse. For the initial diagnostic screening, a single sample of the male's ejaculate is needed. But then the allergist needs 5 to 7 days worth of ejaculate to have the volume to formulate enough vaccine for regular injections. A skin reactivity test can confirm if a woman is allergic to seminal fluid.

The condition can usually be treated by allergists although it takes some effort by concerned, caring male partners. Once the hypersensitivity is diagnosed, partners are called on to do more than just use a condom. This will prevent the semen from coming in contact with the skin. If condoms are not an option, an antihistamine or vaginal Cromolym sodium could often help, especially if it is a mild case. Before using these methods, however, it is important to discuss it with a gynaecologist to make sure that no infection is present. Allergists also warn that any women who suffer from semen allergy needs to have a self-injectable epinephrine kit by their side during the exposure in case of an anaphylactic shock reaction that is life threatening.

A New York allergist put forth that a woman can overcome this allergy by simply having sex more frequently. Frequent sex helps to train the immunity system in allergic women. Researchers have found that having sex two to three times a week can greatly help when dealing with a sex allergy. Patients not living near their partners can refrigerate or freeze specimens so they can continue frequent exposure.

Treatment involves injecting the women regularly with their partner's purified seminal proteins. This is done to desensitize a woman's immune system against semen. Doctors can either apply diluted samples of semen to a woman's vagina every 20 minutes, gradually increasing the concentration over the course of several hours (this technique is called intravaginal seminal graded challenge), or the women can receive allergy shots containing small amounts of semen over the course of several weeks. Both techniques require sex two or three times a week to train their immune system. There are also cases where women have outgrown the allergy without treatment. It is important to note that once these injections are started, couples must continue to have regular intercourse or the bothersome symptoms will return.

Whatever may be the reason behind an allergy to sex, sufferers can be rest assured that there are solutions to the problem other than celibacy. The most important thing is to seek the advice of an appropriate medical professional. Correct diagnosis and treatment can go a long way in making sex something to be enjoyed once again.

Some women suffer allergic reactions that coincide with their menstrual periods. In some cases this may simply be because menstruation makes them more susceptible to conventional allergens. In other cases, though, they may have "female sex hormone allergy" that is, they've become allergic to their own sex hormones.

Some women have been observed to react to the sex hormone progesterone. In one study of four women who suffered milder forms of anaphylaxis, two experienced marked improvement when they were given hormone-suppressing drugs. It should be noted that female sex hormone allergy is generally related to menstrual periods, not to sex.