Management of sex allergy

The condition can usually be treated by allergists although it takes some effort by concerned, caring male partners. Once the hypersensitivity is diagnosed, partners are called on to do more than just use a condom. This will prevent the semen from coming in contact with the skin. If condoms are not an option, an antihistamine or vaginal Cromolym sodium could often help, especially if it is a mild case.

Before using these methods, however, it is important to discuss it with a gynaecologist to make sure that no infection is present. Allergists also warn that any women who suffer from semen allergy needs to have a self-injectable epinephrine kit by their side during the exposure in case of an anaphylactic shock reaction that is life threatening.

A New York allergist put forth that a woman can overcome this allergy by simply having sex more frequently. Frequent sex helps to train the immunity system in allergic women. Researchers have found that having sex two to three times a week can greatly help when dealing with a sex allergy. Patients not living near their partners can refrigerate or freeze specimens so they can continue frequent exposure.

Treatment involves injecting the women regularly with their partner's purified seminal proteins. This is done to desensitize a woman's immune system against semen. Doctors can either apply diluted samples of semen to a woman's vagina every 20 minutes, gradually increasing the concentration over the course of several hours (this technique is called intravaginal seminal graded challenge), or the women can receive allergy shots containing small amounts of semen over the course of several weeks. Both techniques require sex two or three times a week to train their immune system. There are also cases where women have outgrown the allergy without treatment. It is important to note that once these injections are started, couples must continue to have regular intercourse or the bothersome symptoms will return.

Whatever may be the reason behind an allergy to sex, sufferers can be rest assured that there are solutions to the problem other than celibacy. The most important thing is to seek the advice of an appropriate medical professional. Correct diagnosis and treatment can go a long way in making sex something to be enjoyed once again.

Some women suffer allergic reactions that coincide with their menstrual periods. In some cases this may simply be because menstruation makes them more susceptible to conventional allergens. In other cases, though, they may have "female sex hormone allergy" that is, they've become allergic to their own sex hormones.

Some women have been observed to react to the sex hormone progesterone. In one study of four women who suffered milder forms of anaphylaxis, two experienced marked improvement when they were given hormone-suppressing drugs. It should be noted that female sex hormone allergy is generally related to menstrual periods, not to sex.