Sperm and Semen Allergy

Could it really be possible that a man is allergic to his own sperm?  Or that his partner may be?  The answer is yes, and no.  Actually a reaction to sperm or semen, commonly thought of as a sperm allergy, is not really an allergy at all.   In fact, antisperm antibodies are responsible for adverse reactions to sperm, and they may be the cause of up to 5 to 10 percent of all cases of unexplained infertility.

Sperm Allergy

Semen allergies are characterized by an immune system response to the presence of sperm, resulting in the production of sperm antibodies. Antibodies normally work in your body to destroy foreign invaders, like bacteria or viruses.  These antibodies mistake sperm for something dangerous, and work to kill or disable them.  This hinders sperm motility and inhibits fertilization.
Less than two percent of fertile couples have a semen allergy; however, this number is significantly increased in couples with infertility, of which five to twenty-five percent experience semen allergies. The main source of semen allergies is believed to be a certain proteins found in all semen, although it is also possible for an individual to be allergic to protein unique to their partner as well.

Types of Semen Allergies

Women and men can develop either localized sperm allergies or systemic allergies to sperm. A localized sperm allergy will begin to take place immediately after contact with sperm has been made. Symptoms will begin to appear at the site of contact with the sperm, and may include the following:

• burning, pain and swelling that can last for long periods of time
• itching
• swelling or blisters
• vaginal redness

Both types of allergy symptoms may begin to occur within five to thirty minutes after contact, and may last for hours or even days. Symptoms of a systemic sperm allergy can include the following more serious side effects:

• hives
• soft tissue swelling
• generalized itching
• trouble breathing (rare)
• vascular collapse or anaphylaxis causing loss of consciousness (rare)

Some people can have both localized as well as systemic semen allergies.  Anyone who experiences systemic symptoms should seek help from a doctor immediately.

How do you get a sperm allergy?

While the cause of semen allergies in women remains unknown, a male semen allergy typically results from contact between his blood and sperm.  These two fluids don't normally mix in the body, so as a result any sperm will immediately be attacked by the body’s white blood cells, which are present in blood.  These cells see the sperm as foreign, and dangerous, and will try to destroy them.   A man's sperm may come into contact with his blood following a vasectomy, testicular torsion (a twisting of the testicles inside the scrotum), infection, or trauma. Men who reverse vasectomies in the hopes of fathering a child face the risk of infertility caused by sperm antibodies that are developed as the blood reacts to semen.

Diagnosis and Fertility Treatment

Semen allergies in women are frequently misdiagnosed as yeast infections, herpes, and vaginal dryness, so it is important to see a gynecologist to make sure none of these other conditions are also present.  One of the easiest tests that you can perform at home to help identify a sperm allergy is to begin using condoms, and see if symptoms disappear or are significantly reduced over time.
The presence of antisperm antibodies in either partner does not mean pregnancy is impossible.  Couples who are diagnosed with semen allergies may be offered several fertility treatments to help get pregnant.  Immunosuppressive drugs are often given to suppress the immune system to avoid the overreaction of the body to sperm.  Sperm can also be washed to remove certain proteins, and then used with intrauterine insemination (IUI) to help with fertilization.  This is a fairly easy, and inexpensive treatment option when compared to in vitro fertilization (IVF), in which the sperm and egg are retrieved from the reproductive organs and then allowed to fertilize in a petri dish.  The resulting embryos are then transferred back to the woman’s uterus for implantation.   Some doctors also suggest desensitization therapy, in which small amounts of the offending protein are injected into the blood stream.  Similar to allergy shots, the hope is that the body will eventually recognize the protein as innocuous, and the overreaction to sperm and semen will stop.

True sperm and semen allergies do not occur often, but when they do they can be both aggravating and frustrating.  If you think you believe you have a sperm or semen allergy, it is important to see your doctor.  He or she can get you started on a course of treatment that either works around the allergy, or helps to desensitize the reaction so it no longer affects intercourse or fertility.