Relationships may be more complicated than ever, but the eternal truth is, sex is - and should be - good. In order to help you get the most out of your sex life, you need advice from experts on both sides of the bed: Martin Downs, M.P.H., and Victoria Zdrok, Ph.D. and Penthouse Pet.


Question:
My girlfriend says she’s allergic to my semen. Is this even possible?



Dr. Downs answers:

It is. An allergic reaction to semen can cause genital itching, burning, or stinging sensations, redness, and swelling. In some instances, allergic women have systemic reactions, with such symptoms as dizziness, shortness of breath, wheezing, itching all over the body, and hives and welts on the face, lips, tongue, and throat.

If your girlfriend is allergic to semen, you can take comfort in knowing that it's not just you. Women with this allergy react to the semen of all males, so dumping you for another dude wouldn't solve her problem.

No one really knows how common semen allergy is, partly because it's not the sort of thing that many women want to explain to a doctor, and also because the itching and burning of a localized reaction can be easily mistaken for a vaginal infection.

In fact, it's not out of the question that your girlfriend has had a vaginal infection, and not an allergy. I don't know how long you've been together, but it is fairly common for women to get an infection called bacterial vaginosis soon after hooking up with a new partner. That's because our skin and mucous membranes are home to many kinds of bacteria, and an encounter with someone new could introduce some unfriendly newcomers to the region. It's also thought that semen might disrupt the normal microbial ecosystem of the vagina, causing one kind of bacteria to grow out of control.

There's also the possibility that she could have an allergy or sensitivity to something besides semen–maybe residue of something on your dick, like some lotion you'd been wanking with, or an overzealous application of body spray. And there have been cases of women having allergic reactions to traces in semen of food guys ate and even drugs they took.

Think about what might be on your grubby paws, too. By diddling her pussy, you could expose her to any number of allergens and irritants. For example, women are known to have had allergic reactions to printer's ink, apparently because their husbands hadn't washed their hands after reading the newspaper.

I'd like to think not, but since you're having unprotected sex, it's also possible that your girlfriend has wishfully attributed the symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, to an allergic reaction. That's something you and she ought to get checked out before deciding that it's an allergy.

If it really is a semen allergy, then here are three options: (1) use condoms, (2) pull out, and (3) she could undertake desensitization treatment. The third choice involves seeing an allergist, who would deposit diluted semen solution from her partner in her vagina in increasing concentrations until she is able to take it straight up.

The catch is, this treatment only works as long as she's exposed to your ejaculate at least every 48 hours. If she were to miss a regularly scheduled sexual romp with you, she'd be back to square one.

Now, I know what you're thinking: guaranteed sex, like clockwork, at least every other day. Pretty sweet, right? But I think you'll agree that life is never like clockwork–a lovers' spat, a business trip, a bad case of flu…and it's back to the doctor's office. My guess is she'll see it that way, and go for option one or two.



Dr. Z answers:

Martin's right, it is! Some women are allergic to certain proteins in semen–this is more common in women who are also prone to food allergies. Some women have only a localized reaction after contact with semen, such as burning, pain, and swelling in their vaginal area. Other women have a systemic response that involves trouble breathing, hives, and even anaphylaxis where they can pass out (and you thought she was fainting from orgasmic ecstasy). These symptoms can occur from 5 to 30 minutes after contact with semen.

Semen allergies are often misdiagnosed as a yeast infection or a herpes outbreak. To see if your girlfriend is really allergic to your semen, wear a condom next time you have intercourse with her. If she still experiences the symptoms, then the culprit is not your semen. Also, try using nonlatex, nonlubricated condoms, as some women are allergic to latex and spermicidal lubricant.

Interestingly, most women who experience vaginal semen allergies are not allergic to oral sperm ingestion, as the gastrointestinal tract seems to neutralize the proteins. There's even some evidence that swallowing semen may make women less allergic to it as their bodies get desensitized to these proteins. One last bit of advice: Drink lots of water before intercourse because dehydration causes semen to concentrate and become more acidic.