Dear Sexhibitch, Is it possible to be allergic to semen? I get sore and ‘stingy’ after having sex with my current boyfriend, especially if I let him ejaculate inside me – I’d think it was perhaps an STD, but my mouth also feels odd after I give him oral too!
Hi there fizzwizard,
Sorry you’ve having an uncomfortable time, sweetmite, and you feel like you need to take Benadryl every time you get drilled!
To answer your question: yes, it is possible to be allergic to semen; the official name for the condition is Human Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity. The problem hasn’t been examined in a lot of depth, so figures on how common it is vary wildly between studies, although you’re far more likely to have an allergy to nuts than to the contents of your partner’s nutsack.
Hypersensitivity to semen causes symptoms such as a burning sensation; itching; peeling skin; hives; and swelling, which can either be limited just to the areas exposed to the fluid, or can affect the whole body – sometimes to a life-threatening degree if anaphylactic shock sets in. Because many of these symptoms are similar to those of thrush or an STI, the issue is easy to misdiagnose, but if you suspect you may be suffering from an allergy, your doctor can run an aptly-named ‘skin prick’ test to confirm this.
It’s still possible that what you’re experiencing could be the result of a sexually transmitted infection, even though you protest that you’re also experiencing aggravation in your mouth after giving your fella a blow job. STIs such as thrush can affect the oral area too, so I strongly recommend you go for a full sexual health check, and demand that your gent does the same.
There’s also a chance that you’re feeling hurty after getting dirty simply because the sex you’re having is quite vigorous or rough. Giving oral for a long time can leave your mouth ouchy, especially if your man likes to thrust towards your throat with force, or your technique involves wrapping your lips over your teeth. If that’s the problem, using Corsodyl mouthwash and/or Bonjela can help you heal, while getting your chap to be a bit more gentle and switching up your BJ moves will help to reduce skin abrasions in the future. In terms of penetrative sex, lube will help grease the wheels and reduce the wincey feels; I love silicone-based varieties because they last longer than a boring wedding speech.
If it does turn out that you’re allergic to sperm, as well as antihistamines, condoms can help to vastly reduce the effects of an allergy, although people who are sensitive to semen often find that latex makes them flare up too, so opt for a non-latex contraceptive like Durex Real Feel. They’re made from a next-generation non-rubber material called polyisoprene, which also has the advantage of being very thin and very good at transmitting body heat, so they hardly feel like you’re using barrier protection at all.
Sperm allergies can make it tough to conceive, so you’ll need to get your GP to refer you to a specialist should you ever wish to make littluns with someone whose man-juice your body reacts to. Hopefully though, if this is the case, there will be ways doctors can help you end up with a baby bump, rather than just coming up in lumps!
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