Seminal plasma protein allergy -- also called seminal plasma hypersensitivity -- is a rare condition in which a person develops an allergic reaction following exposure to a man's sperm or ejaculate. Consult your medical provider if you have any questions or concerns regarding seminal plasma protein allergy.
Causes
This allergic condition arises when your immune system incorrectly identifies specific proteins found in your partner's sperm as harmful to your body. When exposed to semen, your immune system will attempt to protect your body from the identified pathogen, which may induce uncomfortable symptoms.
Mild Symptoms
The most common signs and symptoms of a semen allergy include burning, swelling or redness at the skin site exposed to semen, MayoClinic.com reports. Women with this allergy typically develop symptoms that mimic those of a vaginal infection such as reports vaginal itching, burning or swelling. Seek additional care from your medical provider if you experience recurrent or chronic genital symptoms following skin exposure to your partner's semen.
Severe Anaphylactic Reaction
A severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis may occur following seminal exposure in people allergic to semen. Symptoms associated with an anaphylactic reaction may include unusual swelling, wheezing, itching skin or hives and weakness. Severe breathing difficulties or a drop in blood pressure may also occur and require prompt medical intervention to prevent severe health complications. If you experience any of these severe seminal protein allergy symptoms after coming in contact with your partner's sperm, contact your doctor immediately.
Treatment
The simplest way to prevent an allergic reaction to semen is to utilize condoms during sexual activity. A condom prevents your partner's sperm from coming in contact with your skin, which eliminates your risk of developing allergic reaction symptoms.
An additional method of treatment for women with this type of allergy is called intravaginal desensitization. During this process, a doctor administers serial dilutions containing your partner's seminal plasma into your vagina over the span of several months. Intravaginal desensitization helps familiarize your immune system with your partner's seminal protein, which helps prevent your immune system from incorrectly identifying this protein as harmful to you. Your doctor may instruct you to have intercourse at specific intervals of time, such as at least once every 48 hours, to maintain intravaginal desensitization, explains M. Lee-Wong and colleagues in a February 2008 article published in the journal "Obstetrics and Gynecology." In the absence of appropriate treatment, you may continue to experience genital discomfort following sexual intercourse. Untreated women with this allergy may also experience difficulty becoming pregnant.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Semen Allergy - A Cause of Infertility
- "Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing"; Human Seminal Plasma Protein Allergy: A Diagnosis Rarely Considered; BG Ludman; July-August 1999
- "Clinical and Molecular Allergy"; Anaphylaxis to Husband's Seminal Plasma and Treatment by Local Desensitization; Jaechun Lee, et. al.; December 2008
- "Obstetrics and Gynecology"; Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity; M. Lee-Wong, et. al.; February 2008
- JDDG; Human Seminal Plasma Allergy -- A Rare Cause of Recurrent Anaphylaxis; GS Nist and P von den Driesch; January 2007
- "Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology"; Intravaginal Desensitization and Successful Pregnancy in a Woman with Seminal Fluid Allergy; C. De Cuyper, et. al.; Jun 1996
