Some women allergic to semen
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 13 (UPI) — Women with allergic symptoms after intercourse may be allergic to their partner’s semen, but the cure for some is more sex, say U.S. researchers.
While the prevalence of semen allergy is not known, the condition does exist and should be considered as a possible diagnosis for women who report symptoms of itching, burning and swelling in the genital area shortly after intercourse, according to Dr. David J. Resnick of New York Presbyterian Hospital.
"Although reports of the condition in the scientific literature are relatively rare, there may be women with semen allergy who go undiagnosed because their symptoms are mild or they routinely use condoms," said Resnick.
Patients can be treated using Intravaginal Seminal Graded Challenge, or ISGC, in which semen samples are placed into the vagina every 20 minutes, beginning with highly diluted samples and gradually increasing the concentration.
The technique, which is performed over a few hours, must be followed by frequent sexual contact — two to three times per week — to maintain the woman’s desensitization to semen, according to Resnick.
The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology in Philadelphia.