A Study on Semen Allergies

Many of us suffer from allergies, even this time of year when the weather is getting cold. But here’s an allergy that can be a year round allergy: one to your husband!

In theory you can be allergic to anything that is foreign to your body.

But parents, take caution: this allergy that women can get in response to a man is one caused by sex.

Now, here’s an excuse to break up with someone… you’'re allergic to them! “Allergic to another person?,” says Aileen. “Uh, I suppose it is possible.”

Yes, according to new research, sex can cause a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction.

The problem: semen allergy.

Dr. David Resnick, the Director of the Allergy Division, NY Presbyterian Hospital, says, “The local symptoms are burning, itching, discomfort after intercourse, usually a short period of time, usually a few minutes or up to an hour, or someone can have a generalized reaction where they can have coughing, shortness of breathe, hives, rhinorrhea, and it can be very uncomfortable.”

Semen allergy is particularly suspected if symptoms go away with condom use or abstinence.

The researchers say it’s not known how many women may be allergic to their partner’s semen.

“The allergy mainly comes from the prostate gland, there are many different proteins in the prostate gland,” states Dr. Resnick.

In some cases, substances such as certain medications and foods—like nuts, may cause allergic reactions when transmitted through seminal fluid.

“If a women has an allergy to food it is possible for a small amount to get into the semen and the person have an allergic response” says

Approximately 50 percent of women with semen allergy have other allergic diseases, such as skin allergy and allergic rhinitis--so-called “hay fever”.

Most women are between age 20 and 30, and 41 percent experience symptoms with their first sexual intercourse.

The researchers say semen allergy should be considered as a possible diagnosis for women who report symptoms that occur shortly after intercourse.

It can be treated. “We take small diluted amount of semen and introduce it to the vaginal tract over the course of an hour and a half, we start with microscopic amounts and place it in the vaginal tract every twenty minutes and at the end the patients actually receive a full dose of undiluted semen and they are considered desensitized,” says Dr. Resnick.

And then the trick is to yes, have more sex!

“It is very important that they continue to have intercourse at least two or three times per week in order to remain in that desensitized state.”

Now, that’s a prescription!

Because this can be potentially a life-threatening allergy, patients with it have to carry around an epi-pen, and have it available especially when they’re having sex.