Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSemen AllergyLatex AllergyProduct AllergyOther Reactions to SexMore Causes of ItchingItching Treatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Semen Allergy
Latex Allergy
Product Allergy
Other Reactions to Sex
More Causes of Itching
Itching Treatment
Sex-related allergies are rare, but they are possible. You can be allergic to a product someone is using, such as a spermicide, lubricant, or latex condom. A semen allergy is also possible, but rare, with symptoms ranging from redness and burning near the vagina to hives or difficulty breathing.
Some people may not recognize their symptoms as an allergic reaction. Allergy symptoms can be similar to the physical changes that happen during sex, including a fast heartbeat, sweating, swelling, and flushed or tingly skin. However, diagnosis and treatment are important to minimize symptoms and find relief.
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Allergic reactions to semenare extremely rare.Proteins in the fluid, not the sperm, cause most of these reactions. It is also possible for semen (and saliva) to contain traces of foods or medications that are allergens.
You canbe allergicto one person’s semen, but not another’s. It’s also possible to be allergic to more than one partner’s semen. In some cases, people react to semen that has never caused an issue in the past.
A semen allergy can cause:
Skin tests and blood allergy tests can determine if you have an allergy to seminal fluid. If you do, you can use condoms to avoid coming into contact with it.
Some people can be gradually de-sensitized to an allergen. That involves exposure to the allergen in increasing amounts over time. This approach may be a good one if you’re trying to get pregnant. There are also ways to “wash” sperm during fertility procedures so allergens are removed.
If you have a history of severe reactions, you should not try to de-sensitize on your own. Work with a physician so the process is safe for you.
Some people might not seek care for an allergic reaction to sex because they feel a bit uncomfortable bringing it up with a doctor. But allergic reactions can worsen over time. Severe reactions can even cause hives, breathing problems, and anaphylaxis, which can lead to death.
Symptoms of latex allergy include:
Usually, these symptoms occur within seconds to minutes of latex exposure. In some cases, they can occur many hours later. The skin exposed to latex can even blister.
TestingYou may be diagnosed with a latex allergy if a blood test identifies IgE antibodies against latex. These are proteins that indicate that your immune system is treating latex as an allergen. Unfortunately, latex IgE is not a sensitive test and can miss more than a quarter of people with significant latex allergy. If you have symptoms around latex and have negative blood test results, talk with an allergist about what this may mean for you
Testing
You may be diagnosed with a latex allergy if a blood test identifies IgE antibodies against latex. These are proteins that indicate that your immune system is treating latex as an allergen. Unfortunately, latex IgE is not a sensitive test and can miss more than a quarter of people with significant latex allergy. If you have symptoms around latex and have negative blood test results, talk with an allergist about what this may mean for you
Treating the allergy means avoiding latex.Polyurethane condomsand SKYN non-latex condoms made from polyisoprene are good alternatives, as they protect you from pregnancy andsexually transmitted infections(STIs).
Non-latex condoms made of lamb intestines are also available. They can prevent pregnancy, but they don’t protect against STIs.
Product Ingredient Allergy
Lubricants and spermicides may have scents, dyes, preservatives, or other ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction with itching.
Underwear or tights with certain dyes, as well as cleansing wipes you might use after sex, can also cause a reaction.
Even if you’re not having a true allergic response, your body may be sensitive to one or more ingredients, which can cause similar symptoms.
RecapLatex, fragrances, and semen can all cause allergic reactions. After sex, you could have mild symptoms like itching, burning, swelling, or hives. It’s also possible to have a more severe reaction with breathing problems or anaphylaxis.
Recap
Latex, fragrances, and semen can all cause allergic reactions. After sex, you could have mild symptoms like itching, burning, swelling, or hives. It’s also possible to have a more severe reaction with breathing problems or anaphylaxis.
Other Allergic-Type Reactions to Sex
You could have a reaction that looks and feels like an allergy but isn’t an allergy to sex.
Vasomotor rhinitisis congestion, runny nose, and sneezing after sex. (In fact, it’s sometimes called “honeymoon rhinitis.") It happens when nerves and blood vessels in your nasal passages are stimulated. This condition may have something to do with the strong emotions sex can stir up.
Some people use a nasal spray (ipratropium bromide) about an hour before sex to prevent this problem.
Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS), another possibility, is a very rare reaction. Within a few seconds to a few hours after ejaculation, allergy or flu-like symptoms occur. They can include:
POIS is more common in people with a penis. Researchers aren’t sure exactly what causes it.
Other Causes of Itching After Sex
Some of the possible causes may need prescription treatment.
Dry or Irritated Skin
If your skin tends to be on the dry and flaky side, you may have some itching after sex. This may be true if you:
Some medications can also change the fluids in your vagina. Birth control pills and antidepressants are two examples.
pH Levels
A pH level is a measure of how acidic something is. A healthy vagina usually has a pH of 3.8 to 5.0, which is slightly acidic.When the pH is in that range, it limits the growth of microbes that could cause infections.
If the pH gets too high, your risk of infection also goes up. Some of the things that can change the vagina’s natural pH are:
Infection
One of the most common causes of itching after sex is infection. Parasites, bacteria, and fungi (yeast) can cause:
These symptoms may be more intense after you’ve had sex. Depending on the cause, an over-the-counter medication could stop the itching. But many infections need to be treated with prescription medication.
STIs
Some infections are passed from person to person through sex. Many STIs don’t cause any symptoms at first. For that reason, you can pass them to a partner without realizing it.
Itching is a common symptom of many STIs, including:
If you have itching for more than a few days after having sex, it’s a good idea to get tested to find out if you have an STI. If you do, you will likely need prescription medication to treat or manage it.
RecapDry skin, vaginal pH changes, and infections can also cause itching after sex. Some infections respond to OTC medications. Others, especially STIs, need medical care.
Dry skin, vaginal pH changes, and infections can also cause itching after sex. Some infections respond to OTC medications. Others, especially STIs, need medical care.
How to Treat Post-Sex Itching
Symptoms such as itching often go away in a day or so. If they don’t, it’s important to see a healthcare professional. Allergies can often be treated so you don’t have to deal with the itch after sex. If an infection is making you itchy, you may need medication to cure the problem.
Understanding the cause of your itching is the first step to finding relief. For many kinds of itching, taking a colloidal oatmeal or baking soda bath can bring some relief. Applying a cool, wet cloth to the itchy area can also ease the itching.
Here are a few more options that may put a stop to your itching:
Speak with a healthcare provider before you opt for ahome remedy. If the itching stems from an infection, those steps won’t fix the problem. You’ll need to see a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Depending on your diagnosis, you may need one of these medications:
If the itching is related to a semen allergy, you may also be able to try antihistamines before sex. There are clinical reports of successful antihistamine use, although studies supporting their use have yielded mixed results.
Desensitization therapy is also an option and has been used in cases where pregnancy is the goal. Intravaginal graded desensitization involves collecting and diluting a semen sample. Then a careful exposure regimen follows under the supervision of a medical professional.
Summary
It’s rare, but not impossible, to have an allergic reaction during sex. Latex, fragrances, preservatives, or proteins in semen can cause itching and other symptoms. Dry skin, pH changes, and infections can also cause reactions.
Most of the time, post-sex itching resolves on its own within a few days. If it doesn’t, there may be an infection, allergy, or another cause that requires medical treatment. Reach out to your healthcare provider, even if you feel uncomfortable. It may also help to write down your questions in advance. Speaking up is the best way to solve the problem and protect your health.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lavery WJ, Stevenson M, Bernstein JA.An overview of seminal plasma hypersensitivity and approach to treatment.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2020;8(9):2937-2942. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.04.067. PMID: 33039013.Caminati M, Giorgis V, Palterer B, Racca F, Salvottini C, Rossi O.Allergy and sexual behaviours: an update.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2019;56(3):269-277. doi:10.1007/s12016-017-8618-3Kelly KJ, Sussman G.Latex allergy: where are we now and how did we get there?J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017;5(5):1212-1216. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.05.029AlShehri SS, Abou-Elhamd K.Is marriage a risk factor for allergic rhinitis?Otolaryngology2016;6(5): 267. Doi: 10.4172/2161-119X.1000267Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Post-orgasmic illness syndrome.Lin YP, Chen WC, Cheng CM, Shen CJ.Vaginal pH value for clinical diagnosis and treatment of common vaginitis.Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):1996. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11111996Seminal fluid.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 101, Issue 6, S521 - S522
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lavery WJ, Stevenson M, Bernstein JA.An overview of seminal plasma hypersensitivity and approach to treatment.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2020;8(9):2937-2942. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.04.067. PMID: 33039013.Caminati M, Giorgis V, Palterer B, Racca F, Salvottini C, Rossi O.Allergy and sexual behaviours: an update.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2019;56(3):269-277. doi:10.1007/s12016-017-8618-3Kelly KJ, Sussman G.Latex allergy: where are we now and how did we get there?J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017;5(5):1212-1216. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.05.029AlShehri SS, Abou-Elhamd K.Is marriage a risk factor for allergic rhinitis?Otolaryngology2016;6(5): 267. Doi: 10.4172/2161-119X.1000267Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Post-orgasmic illness syndrome.Lin YP, Chen WC, Cheng CM, Shen CJ.Vaginal pH value for clinical diagnosis and treatment of common vaginitis.Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):1996. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11111996Seminal fluid.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 101, Issue 6, S521 - S522
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lavery WJ, Stevenson M, Bernstein JA.An overview of seminal plasma hypersensitivity and approach to treatment.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2020;8(9):2937-2942. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.04.067. PMID: 33039013.Caminati M, Giorgis V, Palterer B, Racca F, Salvottini C, Rossi O.Allergy and sexual behaviours: an update.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2019;56(3):269-277. doi:10.1007/s12016-017-8618-3Kelly KJ, Sussman G.Latex allergy: where are we now and how did we get there?J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017;5(5):1212-1216. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.05.029AlShehri SS, Abou-Elhamd K.Is marriage a risk factor for allergic rhinitis?Otolaryngology2016;6(5): 267. Doi: 10.4172/2161-119X.1000267Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Post-orgasmic illness syndrome.Lin YP, Chen WC, Cheng CM, Shen CJ.Vaginal pH value for clinical diagnosis and treatment of common vaginitis.Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):1996. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11111996Seminal fluid.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 101, Issue 6, S521 - S522
Lavery WJ, Stevenson M, Bernstein JA.An overview of seminal plasma hypersensitivity and approach to treatment.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.2020;8(9):2937-2942. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.04.067. PMID: 33039013.
Caminati M, Giorgis V, Palterer B, Racca F, Salvottini C, Rossi O.Allergy and sexual behaviours: an update.Clin Rev Allergy Immunol. 2019;56(3):269-277. doi:10.1007/s12016-017-8618-3
Kelly KJ, Sussman G.Latex allergy: where are we now and how did we get there?J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2017;5(5):1212-1216. doi:10.1016/j.jaip.2017.05.029
AlShehri SS, Abou-Elhamd K.Is marriage a risk factor for allergic rhinitis?Otolaryngology2016;6(5): 267. Doi: 10.4172/2161-119X.1000267
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Post-orgasmic illness syndrome.
Lin YP, Chen WC, Cheng CM, Shen CJ.Vaginal pH value for clinical diagnosis and treatment of common vaginitis.Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):1996. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11111996
Seminal fluid.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 101, Issue 6, S521 - S522
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