All about sperm allergy

A rare allergy

Sperm allergy was first discovered in 1958 in Germany, at a time when cases were occurring more frequently. This phenomenon was not because it was becoming more widespread, but because doctors were becoming more able to diagnose the problem.

Sperm allergy remains an extremely rare condition. It mainly affects young women when they first become sexually active. The symptoms are normally local and include painful irritation, abdominal pain, swelling of the genitals and severe rashes. The appearance of these symptoms during the five minutes after sex are extremely uncomfortable for the woman and affect the couple’s sex life. The symptoms of sperm allergy are easily mistaken for infections like cystitis, mycosis and herpes. A doctor is therefore unlikely to even consider an allergy as a possibility, let alone diagnose it.

“This intimate problem should not be taken lightly, however, as the symptoms can develop into more serious health problems after months or years, and there’s a risk of anaphylactic shock,” says Dr. Mathelier-Fusade, allergist at the Tenon Hospital in Paris. During sex some women may suffer from hives all over the body, hypertension, asthma, or even loss of consciousness and Quincke’s oedema, which is when the skin swells up quickly as a result of an allergic reaction. It can even lead to death.

According to researchers at the university of Cincinnati, sperm allergy could be more common than previously thought(5). In cases where signs of irritation disappear when condoms are used, or when medication taken to fight infections does not work, sperm allergy could well be the underlying cause.

How is sperm allergy diagnosed?

The current hypothesis is that the allergic reaction is similar to hay fever – a better known condition that has two stages:

•   At the first signs of sensitivity, the allergen provokes a response from the immune system. During this phase, the individual will produce specific antibodies, IgEs, which will home in on the allergen that caused the reaction.

•      These antibodies then attach themselves to certain cells in the body’s mucus. When the body comes into contact with the allergen again, the cells containing these IgEs will be stimulated and release inflammatories like histamine. It is this inflammatory reaction that causes local symptoms.

No specific allergen has yet been found in semen, but some experts are looking into the possibility that it could be down to substances originating in medication and food that find their way into semen. The fact that a number of cases occur after pregnancy also suggests that these might be cross-allergies. These occur when the reaction is not initially caused by any allergen contained in the seminal fluid, but by another substance that closely resembles it. This second allergen has a totally different nature, and can be found in food or aerosols, for example.

If a sperm allergy is suspected, the diagnosis will be made using two different tests:

•      Skin tests using a sample of the partner’s sperm (after screening for AIDS and hepatitis),

•      A dose of positive specific IgEs if the allergic reaction is severe.

Prevention and treatment of sperm allergy

Aside from abstinence, the best way of preventing an allergic reaction is to use condoms during all sexual activity, so that you avoid irritating any part of the body. If you do have a reaction, intimate creams with cromones can relieve allergy symptoms(6). “If the problem persists, prevention is no great comfort for couples who are trying for a baby. In these cases, artificial insemination or desensitisation may be advised. Allergen desensitisation is either administered through the vagina or by injection and can last several months with excellent results,” says Dr. Mathelier-Fusade. One thing to remember is that these allergies are not specific to the partner or his sperm, and it is also entirely possible that the substance causing the reaction could be found elsewhere.

The intimate nature of this problem means people are much less likely to talk about it. It is rare for women to be diagnosed with a sperm allergy, even though it is many years since the problem was first discovered. As with allergic rhinitis, the allergy can disappear spontaneously. You are highly unlikely to be affected by this rare condition, but don’t hesitate to seek advice from a doctor if you have any doubts.

Yahoo Lifestyle
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