Can you have an allergy to semen?

The causes of allergy to semen they are infinite. In fact, you can be allergic to anything your body comes into contact with, so of course you can also be allergic to semen. allergy to semen is rare, but it may be that there are many more cases than those diagnosed because in mild cases the patient may not attend the consultation and, if they do consult, it is not always easy to make a good diagnosis because lSymptoms can be confused with other reasons for vaginitis and because we do not always keep this entity in mind, which can be underdiagnosed.

Why does this type of allergy occur?

The composition of semen is 10% sperm and the rest seminal fluid that serves as a means of transport and contains diluted different substances such as many minerals, sugars, hormones, cholesterol and certain proteins. According to the reported cases, the allergy is to a protein called PSA, secreted by the prostate, which is present in the seminal plasma, for this reason the allergy will occur whenever there is contact with seminal fluid, even where it is segregated, and with any individual. That is, even if you change your partner, the pathology will still appear.

It usually occurs in women between the ages of 20 and 30, although it can appear at any age. Sometimes, there is an event from which the allergy occurs that did not previously exist, such as childbirth, surgery, or vasectomy. Often the affected woman has her own previous or family history of other allergies, asthma or rhinitis, which confirm a predisposition to be sensitized to different allergens.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Semen allergy

Symptoms of allergy to semen are varied; as in all allergies. They appear within minutes of contact and usually disappear in minutes or hours and They do not occur if a condom has been used:

• Local symptoms: feeling of vaginal discomfort, burning, stinging, redness or edema in the vaginal and vulvar areas.
• More serious general symptoms: hives, nausea and vomiting, respiratory distress and even severe anaphylactic shock.

The diagnosis of allergy is with careful questioning, but when it is suspected it can be done skin tests and laboratory tests specific blood that would confirm it, as in any other allergy. Before a patient with history of allergies to certain foods or drugs, And that it presents these symptoms only on some occasions, it should be taken into account if your partner has ingested any of those substances with which he is sensitized, since the substance in question can be identified in the ejaculate and in cases of severe sensitization cause an allergic reaction.

Treatment and solutions

The definitive treatment, always prescribed by a doctor, is avoid contact with the allergen by using a condom. Before the appearance of symptoms, if they are local and mild, the administration of an antihistamine or local corticosteroids to treat inflammation can help. In the case of general and severe symptoms, the administration of systemic drugs (epinephrine, adrenaline or corticosteroids) may be necessary. Specialist in gynecology and obstetrics Advance Medical collaborating physician