Sperm allergy
Allergic reaction to sperm, known as sperm allergy, semen allergy or human seminal plasma hypersensitivity, sounds like a bad dream, but it is real – though rare.
What is sperm allergy?
It is a condition where either the man or woman, develops an immune reaction to sperm. The cause is a rare allergic reaction to proteins contained in semen.
What is human seminal plasma hypersensitivity?
This is another name for sperm allergy, in which the man or woman’s body produces antibodies against the sperms. These antibodies recognise sperm as a ’foreign’ or ‘harmful’ component in the semen. They then prevent sperms from moving freely, within the female reproductive system.
How do I know if I have sperm allergy?
One can only know whether she has sperm allergy, through medical investigations. Some women discover they have sperm allergy when they go for a fertility test, after trying for a child with no success.
Typically, in checking reasons for infertility, the doctor will first establish any blockage in the woman’s fallopian tubes. In addition, the doctor will check if the man has healthy sperm. The other aspect to check, is whether there is any production of antibodies against sperm. This is called sperm mucous interaction, and establishes whether the sperm are behaving normally when they are within the cervical mucous.
Does sperm allergy cause infertility?
Not directly. Infertility is a state where a man is not able to make a woman conceive, or the woman is unable to conceive after trying for one year or more.
Normally, sperm enter the female body through the vagina, into the uterus to the fallopian tube where fertilisation takes place. Sperm allergy prevents the movement of the sperm, hence fertilisation is inhibited. If no other cause of infertility can be identified, sperm allergy should be considered and diagnosed.
Infection of the fallopian tubes
The leading cause of infertility in women, is obstruction of the fallopian tubes. This usually arises from infection of the tubes. The infections normally affect the lower part of the uterus, the cervix. With time, these ascend to the uterine cavity and to the fallopian tubes. They cause scarring of the internal and external parts of the fallopian tubes, thereby causing obstruction. This means that the eggs (ova), cannot meet with the sperm.
Immature eggs
The second common cause of infertility in women, is the lack of ovulation. The eggs do not mature frequently enough to enable conception.
Uterine fibroids and endometriosis
There are also some rare causes of infertility, such as uterine fibroids and endometriosis. These are abnormal growths, occurring in the internal organs of a woman. Most women with uterine fibroids and endometriosis are not infertile, but occasionally may develop conditions that cause infertility.
In the case of sperm allergy, the woman and man’s individual fertility status is unaffected. However, the allergic reactions (some of which may be life-threatening), make it difficult for the woman to accommodate sperm and therefore to achieve conception, leading to childlessness. Because the couple’s fertility is unaffected, they can use alternative means to achieve fertilization, other than sexual intercourse.
Sperm allergy in males: Can a man have sperm allergy? Can you be allergic to your own sperm?
Yes, it is possible. In such a case, the man forms antibodies against his own sperm. This leads the man’s reproductive system to destroy his own sperm. Men may develop antibodies to sperms, when they come into contact with their blood, usually after a vasectomy (a sterile procedure that involves cutting and tying the ducts).
Another instance is when there is testicular torsion (a testicle twists inside the scrotum), infection or trauma. Because sperm and blood normally don’t mix, the blood mounts allergic reactions against the sperm.
Men who undergo reverse vasectomies in the hope of fathering children, may end up developing allergic reactions towards their own sperm.
How long do the effects of sperm allergy in women last?
Anywhere between hours to days.
What prevents a woman with sperm allergy from conceiving?
Yet another name for sperm allergy is “hostile cervical mucous”. This means, that the mucous found in the woman’s cervix which ordinarily enables the sperm to swim within her reproductive system, does not permit free movement of sperm within it.
This hostility to sperm makes her develop antibodies, that prevent the progression of sperm. Sperms get immobilised, and consequently fail to reach the mature egg to fertilise it. The woman thus cannot get pregnant.
How do most women discover they have sperm allergy?
One may find out when she engages in sex for the very first time. However, some women find out along the way, and do not necessarily have symptoms or reactions in previous sexual encounters. It is not impossible for a woman who had a long term relationship – e.g. with a husband – to all of a sudden develop allergic reactions to his sperm.
Can swallowed sperm cause sperm allergy?
Yes, in rare cases. This kind of reaction is known as seminal plasma hypersensitivity. You can read HERE for more about swallowed ejaculate.
Diagnosis of sperm allergy
The doctor will advise specific steps to determine if indeed, there is presence of sperm allergy. This is necessary because sperm allergy may be confused with some sexually transmitted diseases, because of similarity of symptoms. Therefore one should not conclude she has sperm allergy, simply because she has experienced allergic reactions; there are many other reasons why such reactions can happen. Examples that may bring about misinterpretation include:
• Herpes
• Vaginitis
• Yeast infection
Steps that the doctor (usually an allergist or obs-gynae) may recommend include; isolation of the semen during sexual intimacy, for example by using a condom. The doctor will want to observe whether the symptoms manifest in such,a scenario, because it could point to another problem- and not sperm allergy.
Another test is intradermal testing. The doctor will inject doses of your partner’s semen into your skin, and observe the reactions.
Is the affected woman allergic to the sperm of all men?
Not necessarily. In fact, sperm allergy may happen with one man, but be absent when the affected woman has contact with another man’s semen.
Typically, however, sperm allergy is not isolated to one partner. It is likely that a woman with sperm allergy, shows the same symptoms irrespective of the sexual partner.
Should a couple with sperm allergy separate and seek other partners?
The decision to stay together in any relationship, is personal and depend on how much the couple love one another. It is true that sperm allergy can become a stumbling block to a couple who would like to sire children, because sperm must enter the woman’s reproductive system in order to get fertilized. It is likely that a couple that cannot achieve this due to sperm allergy, will be frustrated and their relationship may become stressed.
Modern medicine practice has made it possible, nevertheless, for a woman facing sperm allergy to conceive. The sperm is washed, then deposited in the woman using artificial insemination (IUI), or in vitro fertilization methods.
Can sperm allergy cause skin rash?
Yes, it can.
Does sperm allergy cause itchiness after sex?
An itchy feeling after sex may be due to sperm allergy, but more often be due to a fungus called Candida albicans. It is important to note that fungal infections are not allergies, and to seek immediate treatment.
How can I test myself for sperm allergy?
Observing your reactions during and after sex, is key to determining if you have sperm allergy. Symptoms may start in a small way from the very first time you have intercourse, becoming worse with time if left untreated.
Common symptoms of sperm allergy
Some common symptoms of sperm allergy, which range from mild to severe include:
• Burning sensation in/around the vagina, or any other part of the body, e.g. skin, mouth, that comes into direct contact with a man’s semen.
• Genital itching
• Pain
• Redness
• Swelling
Symptoms manifest some minutes after seminal fluid comes into contact with the woman, or the receipt of the sperm by the woman into her reproductive system, typically between 10 minutes and half an hour. The symptoms develop further into troublesome reactions, e.g.:
• Anaphylaxis – it causes airways to become narrow, making breathing difficult. It can turn fatal, with total blockage of the airways.
• Breathing difficulties
• Burning sensation
• Dizziness
• Hives
• Rash
• Swelling of the area that came into contact with semen, or other areas.
• Wheezing
These reactions to sperm allergy may be limited to one area of the body, or (in some women) spread out into other areas, or indeed the entire body.
Can you still get pregnant if you are allergic to sperm?
Yes, there are chances that you may get pregnant. However, this requires management with the help of a professional. Sperm allergy treatment includes:
• Antihistamines
• Condom use
• Desensitization therapy. This is a form of immunotherapy, where the woman receives allergy shots that contain minute doses of the man’s semen, or is engaged in an intravaginal seminal graded challenge.
Allergy shots
These are injections containing doses of the man’s semen.
Intravaginal seminal graded challenge
The practice involves gradual intervals of deposits of the man’s semen into the woman’s vagina. The caregiver will make the deposits over several hours, with increases in the amount of semen as the process continues.
This therapy demands regular and several sexual encounters between the man and woman, at least two to three times every week. This is to prevent re-emergence of the allergen. This is such an important consideration that couples who may for one reason or another find themselves living away from each other – e.g. due to work locations, are advised to preserve semen that the woman can insert in her vagina on a regular basis. Frozen or refrigerated semen obtained and preserved under doctor’s instructions, is used in such instances.
It is critically important that desensitization therapy is undertaken initially in a hospital that has the capacity to intervene in the event that a anaphylactic shock scenario arises.
How can a woman with sperm allergy prepare herself for the worst?
The worst can happen if a severe or life-threatening reaction occurs. Because it is not possible to predict which kind of allergic eventuality may arise, a woman who is allergic to sperm is advised to always have at hand, during sex, a self-injectable dose of epinephrine (also known as adrenalin or adrenaline). It is a hormone that increases the flow of blood to the muscles when received intravenously (injection into a muscle) or by inhaling it. One may also make an injection just under the skin.
What are the sperm allergy natural treatment; how to overcome sperm allergy and attain pregnancy
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment can aid infertile couples to conceive. In this method, sperm is artificially delivered into the woman’s uterus. This is the standard way of managing sperm allergy. This involves purifying the sperm, by concentrating and washing it in a favourable medium that consists of nutrients, antibiotics and other favourable ingredients, at optimal temperatures. The cleaning and preparation happens in a laboratory.
The caregiver washes the sperms and concentrates them, in order to remove the surface antigens (substances that provoke the allergic reaction from the woman’s cervical mucus).
In order to ensure that the sanitized sperm do not have to travel through the cervix and cause allergy, the caregiver finally inserts them directly into the woman’s uterus.
END: PG 05/08