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Sex Q&A: Allergic to Sperm?

Q.

The Nest Q&AWhenever I give my husband oral sex and there is semen on his penis, the back of my mouth feels like it is going numb and my throat feels like it is closing up on me. Could I possibly be allergic to him?

A.

Do you use any lubricants that might get on his penis, perhaps during foreplay? That could be the cause of an allergic reaction. Or it could be something as simple as performance anxiety: We can get panic-type symptoms when we're not sure about what we're doing. However, because of the "numbness" and feeling like your throat is "closing up," this situation concerns me. I suggest you discuss it with your health-care provider. Although it's quite rare for someone to have an allergic reaction to semen, it's not impossible.

Nestpert Dr. Pam Spurr, author of Make Love All Night & Talk to Him in the Morning and Naughty Tricks and Sexy Tips: A Couple's Guide to Uninhibited Sexual Pleasure

-- The Nest Editors

Feb 09, 2009

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I think I might also be alergic to my fiance's sperm. Because I am on birth control, we don't normally use a condom. Afterwords I always have a really bad burning sensation inside and outside my vigina. (This only seems to happen when we don't use a condom) What do you think- could it be something else besides an alergic reaction?

by angie8583@yahoo.com on Aug 14, 2009

I am allergic to semen. When I was in high school, I was informed by my health care provider that "There is no way I could be allergic to sperm" because it's so rare. She did tests for every STD under the sun and finally sent me away with a clean bill of health. Now that I have a little more experience, I know that yes, I have a senstitivity to semen, especially if we try to have sex a second time (within a few minutes). Yes, it is rare but not as rare as you may think. If you've been cleared of having a yeast infection or STI, don't beleive when people tell you that semen allergies/sensitivities are too rare for you to have one.

by mston31 on Aug 25, 2009

Have you considered that maybe it's a psychological reaction? Our minds are very powerful and many times after having either a very traumatic experience or a prolonged exposure to negative experiences our mind tries to protect the body by manifesting certain symptoms. I had a very unhealthy sexual relationship with a boyfriend that lasted 3 yrs (3 yrs too long) and after him I have had a lot of pain associated with intercourse. I have been tested for every possible infection and always came back fine. I finally determined that it must be a somatic disorder (what I described above) after the birth of my son, when sex became even more excruciating. I found a really good therapist that I could really connect with and she helped me. A lot of women have negative sexual experiences and don't even realize it until they are out of it or in a healthy relationship. Just a thought, hope it helps someone

by sweetblueyes316@msn.com on Nov 19, 2009

I was told by doctor after doctor that I just had some crazy yeast infection that for YEARS seemed to be untreatable. Finally I started to do my own research on the issue to get better answers. I have never had yeast infections before I had been with my now husband and when we used a condom there was no issue. When we didn't use a condom I was burning and itching almost immediately and broke out in hives. Finally I found a doctor who was willing to look into the possibility of a sperm allergy. I had already been to one doctor who told me it was so rare there was no way I could have it. My new doctor was opened minded and sent me to an allergist. Turns out all along I was allergic, and never had a yeast infection, it was the allergic reaction. While a semen allergy is quite rare, it is almost never diagnosed because it can present as the same symptoms as an STD or similar to a yeast infection. If you suspect you are allergic then go to an allergist and don't give up when they tell you its not possible. It is, and there are treatment options for those who are trying to conceive so that you don't have to us IVF. There is desensitization therapy and allergy shots.

by bluerevolution9 on Nov 20, 2009

I too have reactions to my husbands sperm. For up to 3-days after intercourse I have continual contractions. My doctor ran numerous test and her conclusion is that it is my body reacting to his sperm; she did not say that it was an allergic reaction.

by vlynn635 on Dec 15, 2009

I've noticed over the years that my body reacts to certain partners (very rare) sperm. It's not every man and it's very rare. My current lover's sperm causes my vagina to become swollen, sore and extremely itchy not to mention SMELLY. Gross. And it's immediately after he ejaculates in me. Immediate. I'm not allegic to all sperm, just some sperm. It's funny to say that. lol I wonder if it's because he had a vasectomy? I seem to recall that one other lover of mine, years ago who had a vasectomy made my body do the same thing. What I do for this is a little bit of plain yogart. It helps with the itching and used over a course of a day or two clears it all up. I wonder if there's something men can do in terms of diet to change the ph balance or acidity levels to their sperm that would lighten the reactions many of us women have to their sperm. Any ideas?

by razzer on Jan 15, 2010

birth control leads to cervical cancer.

by tttan83 on Mar 05, 2010

Have you considered your partner's diet? I read once that certain things that men consume might cause their semen to be more acidic...

by Bettyleigh on Mar 10, 2010

My sister-in-law had to see an allergy specialist because of this problem. She takes RX anti-histamine on a regular basis now. That has helped their love life tremendously. Before she visited the Allergist they would ALWAYS have to use a condom. That’s not always fun when you’re happily married.

by harvey2584 on Mar 12, 2010

i am almost sure i have an allergy i burn up so badly after sex with my new husband of 5 weeks i am worried i will get a bad opinion of sex. was a virgin when i got married

by gracewanga on Jun 07, 2010

You can be allergic to sperm?? O.O that would be interesting...

by Maere on Jun 21, 2010

I also have this problem at times. I'm happily married and only sleep with my husband. Sometimes it burns and sometimes it doesn't. I think it has to do with his diet; he doesn't eat very healthily. I don't break out and am fine the next day, but sometimes it hurts VERY badly right afterwards.

by flyblue21 on Jun 21, 2010

Whenever I have sex with my husband and we don't use a condom I have a burning and itching sensation. However, I noticed if I orgasm before or at the same time as him, it doesn't burn or itch.

by kim_baby13 on Jul 17, 2010

I too have a burning sensation after he climax and I have been tested for sti and everything else and it always cones back negative we have been together for 9 years and I do enjoy sex but have the feeling afterwards

by smurfnj on Aug 07, 2010

I just realized I am allergic to my husband's sperm. It is really strange because we have been having sex for over 8 years, but the allergic reactions didn't start happening until our wedding night! Go figure. I thought I was allergic to the soap I used at our hotel room, but it has happened twice since then. He always pulls out and his semen usually gets on my stomach, depending on what position we are in. I know too much information right? Well anyways, lastnight he came on my stomach and afterwards I had a trail of red itchy bumps where it had been on me, plus my eye was swollen because I itched my eye and must have had some on my hands. So needless to say, I will be going to the doctor to get this checked out. Good luck to you all!

by tamirenee15 on Sep 15, 2010

I had the same burning problem after we first got married. My Dr. and NP said it was a vaginitis, basically an irritation to the vaginal wall. But here's the kicker, I went off my birth this past May and the burning stopped. Haven't had a problem since.

by tristan54 on Oct 18, 2010

I have a reaction to my husabnd's sperm any time we don't use a condom. I get dizzy, upset stomach and nausious, almost like morning sickness. Its horrible. My pharmacist told me to take a B-6 vitamin when ever this happens. To my surprise it has worked every time, no more reaction!

by jpogs27@hotmail.com on Oct 24, 2010

my husband is a alcoholic, and drinks at leat 10 beers a night...when we do have sex the next three or four days, I feel severly tired, fatigued..I was wondering if the alcohol goes into his sperm and causes me to have a reaction?

by peanut3996 on Nov 01, 2010

I get really bad external vaginal burning after my husband and I make love. I had uncomfortable sex with my first partner, but he was large and didn't believe in foreplay so I was almost never wet enough. The burning didn't start until my husband and I stopped using condoms. We have a great sex life, despite my cycle being totally out of control. I find that the burning is worse when we've gone without sex for a while (up to 1 week). Once we start having sex again the more often we have it, the less burning I experience. It sucks, especially because he has no idea about it. I don't want him to feel guilty so I haven't told him.

by andrewseverything on Dec 06, 2010

Girls can have an allergic reaction to sperm. My wife does not have any issues but I had a girlfriend who was allergic only in her vagina. Her mouth and anal there was no issue but we needed to use condoms for traditional sex or she would get small red bumps like a rash on her vulva

by 27evan27 on Apr 23, 2011

I never though of being allergic to semen. I have the occasional burning after sex but I always attributed it too irritation. My real question is for anyone who does have a semen allergy, can diarrhea be a symptom of the allergy? A couple articles I've read say yes, some say no. I only have this issue when my husband and I have sex in certain positions. If someone could please help me out I'd greatly appreciate it so I know where to start to solve this problem. Thanks!

by miss mac on Apr 24, 2011

I thought the same thing for a while, but it turns out, we just needed to use more lube during sex. We got the his and hers by KY, and after using that, I never have any problems like this!!

by LibbyW63 on Jun 08, 2011

Another thing to have checked is if you have HPV... sex is something that can trigger HPV to "ramp up" more than normal, and sex with different partners can trigger it more since your body may not be used to the newer partner

by beaubelle on Nov 26, 2011

I am not gay nor bi-sexual but when I come in my wife, it turns her on a little more for me to eat her pussy afterwards. I have no reason not to, she is my wife and I do want to please her. My sperm has tasted sometimes as questioned above and yes, sometimes it feels like its hard to breath and other times it tastes really great mixed witrh her juices. We have both thought about this and the best answer we had was the meds I had taken before SEX. My wife is Asian and she has a beautiful tast to her juices and we seem to be looking toward the spices she eats. Just something for you to think about......Robert

by 835839 on Dec 09, 2011

That's a serious troublem. http://www.dresstimes.com/product.php?productid=30647

by abbylinda on Dec 18, 2011