In fact, there are people who can be allergic to sperm. Most women between the ages of 20 and 30 who suffer from a sperm allergy. But men can be allergic to their own sperm!

Symptoms of a sperm allergy

If you are allergic to sperm, the body does not react to the sperm cells, but to a protein that is in the sperm of men. Within 30 minutes after contact the allergic reaction with similar symptoms of pollen allergy follows. In most cases itching, burning and swelling occur in the genital area. Those affected can also respond to the semen with diarrhea, vomiting, even anaphylactic shock that even ends in death. After oral sex, typical symptoms include pustules on the tongue or irritated oral mucosa.

Causes of a sperm allergy

In women, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is likely to trigger the sperm allergy. Scientists came to this decision, because in the case of homosexual men no sperm allergy has ever been described. However, there are men who seem to be allergic to their own sperm. They feel flabby, feverish and very tired right after ejaculation. Some even burn their eyes or have a severe headache. This disease is called Postorgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS). Scientists estimate that around 0.25% of the population suffers from POIS. The unreported number is certainly higher, because most people do not come up with the idea to be allergic to semen.

How can I diagnose a sperm allergy?

If you suspect a sperm allergy, a so-called scratch test can be helpful. The sperm is separated from the seminal fluid and then applied to a small area of ​​the skin to see if the skin reddens or if there are typical wheals on the surface.

Diagnosis sperm allergy. What to do?

If a sperm allergy is actually detected, you do not have to give up sex. Help condoms! And if you really react strongly to semen, there is still the possibility of hyposensitization: Here, the body slowly gets used to the allergen, until it finally accepts it and no longer reacts to it.

… and if you want children?

A semen allergy only becomes really complicated when "woman" wants children. Then the sperm of the partner must first be separated from the ejaculate in the laboratory and prepared before it is introduced by an artificial insemination in the uterus. With this method, pregnancy should usually be trouble-free.