Are You Allergic To Semen? Yes, It's A REAL Thing

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This rare but often misdiagnosed allergy could be impacting your sex life. According to Healthline, nearly 40,000 women in the U.S. are allergic to semen, although the number could be higher—yes, you read that right. The bizarre allergy is called human seminal plasma hypersensitivity (SPH), an allergic reaction to the proteins found in most men’s sperm.

Most allergic reactions are typically localized and generally occur within 20 to 30 minutes of exposure. Frustratingly, they can last anywhere from several hours to a few days, depending on the individual and the severity of the reaction.

Signs of a semen allergy may include one or more of the following:

1. Redness

2. Burning sensation

3. Swelling

4. Pain or discomfort

5. Hives

6. Itching

For women, these symptoms are most commonly felt on the vulva or inside the vaginal canal. Even worse, it may complicate pregnancy, and in rare but serious instances, semen exposure can trigger anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction. Symptoms of anaphylaxis typically emerge within minutes and require emergency medical intervention. Now, that’s nuts!

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How did we get here?

SPH isn’t a new condition. Researchers have been gathering information about the bizarre allergy since the first documented case reported in 1967, according to reproductive science expert Michael Carroll. That year, a woman was hospitalized and eventually passed away after developing intense swelling, asthma, and uterine pain, which led to “cardiovascular collapse” after sex. Due to her violent reaction, SPH was then classified as a Type 1 hypersensitivity, the same category as hay fever, peanut allergies, and cat dander, Carroll noted.

In 2013, Carroll—an Associate Professor of Reproductive Science at Manchester Metropolitan University—conducted a small, unpublished survey to explore how many women might be affected by this unusual condition. The results suggested that around 12% were impacted, though Carroll believes the actual number could be far greater.

“The true figure may be higher still. Many cases go unreported, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as STIs, yeast infections, or general ‘sensitivity,’” the scholar wrote in an article for The Conversation on June 24. “One revealing clue: symptoms disappear when condoms are used.”

Men can be allergic to their own sperm, too.

Women aren’t the only ones getting the short end of the stick. Men can be allergic to their own sperm, too. Although rare, this condition is known as post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS). It’s medically documented and can have a serious impact on quality of life. For men, reactions may appear on the penile shaft or the surrounding skin.

POIS is still not fully understood, but those affected may experience a range of systemic symptoms shortly after ejaculation. These can include overwhelming fatigue, a sudden wave of body heat, and flu-like symptoms.

While uncommon, the condition is a cautionary tale that semen allergies can affect all genders, and in some cases, the effects can be far more than just skin-deep. Using a condom regularly during intercourse is the best way to prevent a reaction.