Sex can be associated with plenty of snafus, complications, and embarrassing situations, and nobody really needs one more. But what happens when she seems to get itchy and uncomfortable or experiences burning sensations after doing the deed? Believe it or not, some women (and extremely rarely, men) are actually allergic to semen. Nothing makes sex trickier than actually being allergic to it! Learn what this complication means for one’s sex life, what to do about it, and how to keep the penis healthy, too.

Is she allergic to sex?

Well, women who are allergic to semen are not actually allergic to the act of sex itself, but that doesn’t mean complications may not start from the get-go. Semen allergies actually occur in individuals who are sensitive to a specific protein that is found in a man’s ejaculate. Of course, the sensitivity level of the person varies as well. Some women may only experience symptoms if a substantial amount of semen touches their skin, while others can get itchy from even a small amount such as the "pre-cum" that exits a man’s penis upon arousal. Symptoms may be mild, such itching, slight burning, and irritation of the skin; or they can range to the more severe, such as swelling, hives and even life-threatening anaphylactic shock, where a person’s airway begins to close off, making it difficult or impossible for them to breathe. While most women are not at risk of dying from sex, a semen allergy is nothing to ignore, and medical treatment should be sought out. Of course, any women who feels they are experiencing anaphylaxis needs to go to the ER immediately for treatment.

How is it treated?

Women who have mild allergies may be able to get away with rushing to the bathroom after sex to wash up and get all traces of semen off their skin - effectively removing the allergen and stopping the symptoms. Using condoms - so long as she isn’t allergic to those, as well - can also reduce the chance of uncomfortable symptoms by minimizing exposure. Taking an antihistamine may also help block the reaction for women who do not have severe or life-threatening reactions to the white stuff. Women who have more severe allergies may need to seek treatment from an allergist who can help to systematically desensitize their body to their partners’ semen. The doctor would carefully, and in a controlled setting, expose them to small amounts of their partners’ semen until the exposure no longer causes a reaction. It is a long process, but if it means a couple can have a normal, healthy sex life, it may be well worth it!

Maintaining a healthy sex life

Interestingly, though it may be assumed the allergic condition is only discovered by women who are having sex for the first time, this is not true. Women can spontaneously develop a semen allergy at anytime in their life, which would likely be quite the surprise for a person who has never had any difficulties before. Furthermore, women may be allergic to the semen of one man and not another; this is because the protein levels are different between men. Finally, a woman can even have had a normal sex life with one partner for a long time and suddenly develop an allergy to his semen despite having had many previous exposures to it - just one of the curious things about the human body!

Though most men and women will never have to deal with this obstacle in their sex lives, they can hope to eliminate other unfortunate problems by keeping themselves healthy. Men may be able help prevent and reverse common penis ailments by the use of a daily penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) which contains essential vitamins to help improve circulation, heal broken blood vessels, and cure itchy dry skin on the penis. Apply daily and enjoy all the benefits of a healthier, more responsive penis.