Table of contents:
- Definition
- What is a sperm allergy?
- Symptoms
- What are the symptoms of a sperm allergy?
- When do you need to see a doctor?
- Cause
- What causes sperm allergy?
- Who is at risk of having a sperm allergy?
- Diagnosis
- How do you diagnose a sperm allergy?
- Treatment and Prevention
- How do you treat a sperm allergy?
- 1. Desensitization
- 2. Take medicine
- Effects on Pregnancy
- Can sperm allergy sufferers get pregnant?
Definition
What is a sperm allergy?
Allergy to sperm or human seminal plasma hypersensitivity is the immune system's reaction to a protein found in male sperm. Since sperm protein is also present in semen, this condition is also known as semen allergy.
Sperm allergy is commonly experienced by women. Even so, it is possible that even men can be allergic to their own sperm. This rare condition is known as orgasmic allergy or in the medical world, post-orgasm disease syndrome (POIS).
People who are allergic to semen usually experience features similar to those of a skin allergy. Symptoms can appear on the area of the sex organs or other parts of the body that have been in contact with semen, either during sex or after.
In more severe cases, allergy sufferers can experience anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that appears suddenly and must be treated medically. If left untreated, this reaction can lead to coma and death.
Sperm allergy is a condition that not only impacts health, but also the sufferer's sexual life. Many women with a sperm allergy worry whether they can get pregnant because this condition hinders the conception process.
Medication can help reduce the immune system's reaction to sperm, but this certainly must be preceded by the right diagnosis. So, if you feel symptoms of a sperm allergy, try to consult a doctor for treatment.
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of a sperm allergy?
Sperm allergy symptoms can appear in various forms and times. There are those who experience it when having sex for the first time, but there are also cases of allergies that only appear after years even with the same partner.
Women who are allergic to semen usually develop symptoms within 5 to 30 minutes of developing the allergen. The characteristics include:
- reddish rash,
- feel hot,
- hives (hives),
- swelling, and
- pain.
Women generally experience allergic reactions on the skin of the vulva or the inside of the vagina. Unfortunately, this is what makes semen allergies often mistaken for vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina), yeast infections, or sexually transmitted infections such as herpes.
If the cause is allergies, you will not experience symptoms when having sex using a condom. This is because an allergic reaction occurs only when semen is in direct contact with the skin or the inside of the vagina.
Meanwhile, men tend to experience symptoms in the area of the skin above the penis. However, allergic reactions can also occur in other parts of the body where sperm is not affected at all. You may experience hives on your hands, chest, or all over your body.
Symptoms in men are sometimes accompanied by severe fatigue, burning throughout the body, and flu-like symptoms that appear after ejaculation. This condition can last from several hours to days, depending on its severity.
When do you need to see a doctor?
The symptoms of a sperm allergy will subside once you avoid the trigger. However, there are also people who are at risk for a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. This reaction appears suddenly and is much more severe than common allergy symptoms.
The following are signs of anaphylaxis that need to be watched out for.
- Hard to breathe.
- Swelling of the tongue, throat, or other parts of the body.
- The heart beats with a weak pulse.
- Drastic drop in blood pressure.
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
- Fainting or coma.
Seek medical help immediately if you experience anaphylaxis after contact with sperm (for example, after sex). You also need to consult a doctor if you experience symptoms of sperm allergy that don't get better.
Cause
What causes sperm allergy?
Researchers have so far found that the cause of semen allergy comes from a protein found in sperm. However, the causes and risk factors are not yet known with certainty.
Through various studies that have been conducted, the researchers have just proposed three theories that are thought to interfere with the normal work of the immune system in the female genital tract. This condition allegedly started from:
- Changes in hormones or reproductive function, for example due to pregnancy or menopause.
- Medical procedures on the reproductive system, such as prostate surgery or removal of the uterus, spiral birth control installation, and others.
- Family history of sperm allergy.
When the sperm comes into contact with your body, the immune system considers the protein in the sperm to be a harmful foreign substance. The immune system then releases antibodies and various chemicals to fight these proteins.
One of the chemicals released is histamine. This substance causes a variety of allergy symptoms, including hives and a rash. The longer the skin is in contact with sperm, the more severe the symptoms will appear.
Who is at risk of having a sperm allergy?
Allergic reactions can appear at any time, but many reports claim the symptoms begin to appear at the age of 30 years. The risk may be higher in women who have had vaginal inflammation and have a family history of allergies.
Diagnosis
How do you diagnose a sperm allergy?
Sperm allergy is quite difficult to diagnose because not many studies have addressed this condition. Doctors are often only able to judge by the symptoms a patient is experiencing. This is why the patient must take his symptoms in detail.
Allergy to semen is often mistakenly recognized as another disease of the reproductive system. Therefore, doctors also need to carry out further examinations in the form of:
- vaginal examination,
- a swab test to take a sample of fluid from the vagina,
- complete blood test, as well
- kidney, liver, and thyroid function tests.
To make sure that the allergen is protein in sperm, your doctor may also recommend a so-called allergy skin testskin prick test. This test uses a protein obtained from your partner's sperm sample.
The doctor will inject a small amount of protein from the sperm sample into the top layer of your skin. If small bumps or redness appear on the skin, it means that you are indeed allergic to the protein in your partner's sperm.
Treatment and Prevention
How do you treat a sperm allergy?
Treatment aims to reduce allergy symptoms and prevent recurrences. There are two types of treatment methods that you can choose from, namely desensitization and drug consumption. Here are the differences between the two.
1. Desensitization
The best way to treat and prevent allergies is to always use a condom during sex. However, if you don't want to use condoms all the time, there is a treatment option called desensitization.
Desensitization is a process to reduce the immune system's reaction to allergens. To do this, the doctor will apply the diluted sperm to the penis or vagina every 20 minutes until allergy symptoms subside.
After your first desensitization, your skin needs to be exposed to the same allergens to get back to being as bad as it used to be. This can be done by regularly having sex every 48 hours.
2. Take medicine
Allergy medicines can relieve symptoms and prevent recurrences after sex. It is also an alternative for those who are uncomfortable continuing to use condoms.
Your doctor may advise you to take an antihistamine drug 30-60 minutes before sex. This medicine can be purchased without a doctor's prescription, but you still need to discuss with your doctor if you want to take other allergy medications.
If you are at risk for anaphylaxis, you will need to provide epinephrine injections. This medicine is a severe allergy first aid, not a preventive. So, you are still advised to use a condom during sex.
Effects on Pregnancy
Can sperm allergy sufferers get pregnant?
Semen allergies cause anxiety for many couples, especially those expecting children. This is because you have to keep wearing a condom, which incidentally is a form of contraception to prevent pregnancy.
Even so, sperm allergy in no way affects the fertility of men and women. Allergy sufferers can still get pregnant with the help of artificial insemination or IVF technology, of course, after the sperm has gone through the washing process.
Sperm allergy is a rare condition that can be difficult to diagnose. In fact, the impact does not only affect health, but also sexual life. Therefore, everyone who feels symptoms is advised to consult a doctor.
As early as possible inspection is very useful to find the source of the problem. The doctor can also suggest preventive measures and various treatment options besides using condoms whenever possible.
