Some female compatriots will feel vulvar and even general discomfort after sex, often occurring within a few minutes to a few hours after intercourse, and will feel strange itching or stinging in the vulva, the labia and vagina become congested and red, increased discharge, sometimes hives will appear on the labia, more serious cases can appear severe cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath, hoarseness and other symptoms. Most patients mistake these adverse reactions for normal physiological reactions to orgasm or attribute them to gynecological or sexually transmitted diseases, and after gynecological treatment, the symptoms are not relieved, which is actually the “human semen ion hypersensitivity/human semen allergy” that we ignore. Because of its low incidence, it is often missed. Today, the author and you can learn together. Why do people become allergic to semen? Semen is a complex component, containing dozens of specific antigens from sperm and seminal plasma (produced by the prostate and seminal vesicles). For most women, there is no reaction to these antigens in semen. This is related to the male inhibitory material (MIM, ManInhibitMaterial) in semen, which is a specific immunosuppressive substance in men that reduces the sensitivity of the immune system and protects sperm from rejection. When the sensitivity of women to MIM is reduced, the antigenicity of male semen is enhanced, and women are allergic, IgE molecules are released in the serum and the antigenic material in semen binds, producing an antigenic response (mainly allergy to the protein components in seminal plasma), causing the cells to release histamine, causing capillary dilation, increased blood permeability, and smooth muscle contraction, resulting in the above-mentioned local and even systemic allergic reactions of different This results in the local and even systemic allergic reactions mentioned above. How is semen allergy diagnosed? Semen allergy can be diagnosed based on the patient’s medical history, the results of semen allergen testing, and the fact that condom protection prevents the onset of symptoms. Semen allergy usually presents with symptoms of the local or systemic reactions mentioned above within minutes to hours after sexual intercourse and needs to be differentiated from contact dermatitis due to allergy to spermicides, latex, lubricants, etc., gynecological bacterial, fungal or viral infections, irritation reactions due to topical toiletries, and local anatomical abnormalities of the narrow vaginal opening. The tests routinely involved are semen allergen skin test, serum IgE test and some immune infertility antibody indicators such as anti-sperm antibody (AsAb), anti-endometrial antibody (EMAb), anti-ovarian antibody (AOVAb) and anti-zona pellucida antibody (aZP), because most women with semen allergy have immune infertility caused by their own reproduction-related antibody disorders. How can semen allergy be prevented and treated? Does it mean that I cannot have children because of this disease? The treatment of semen allergy is individualized, and different treatment protocols are developed according to different ages, different requirements for fertility, and the severity of the allergic reaction, and different treatment indications exist for different individuals. This is the most effective way to prevent the occurrence of semen allergy, mainly for women who do not have fertility requirements and are not allergic to rubber. However, this method can only treat the symptoms, not the root cause. Most of the patients with semen allergy are those who develop the disease at the first time of sexual intercourse, and most of them are infertile, so it is still psychologically difficult to accept a lifetime of childlessness. Of course, there are some patients who have semen allergy when they remarry in their middle age, and most of them do not have the requirement to have children, so they can use this option. Option 2: Use contraceptive jelly (cream), a kind of topical contraceptive, screw the injector with jelly on the mouth of the contraceptive tube, slowly reach 7-10cm into the vagina and reach the cervical area, squeeze the tube and slowly turn the injector so that the jelly can be evenly applied to the cervical area and then withdraw the injector, in order to eliminate the antigenic nature of semen. It is mainly suitable for those who are allergic to rubber condoms. It is not suitable for those who are allergic to spermicide and other substrates, those who cannot tolerate drug stimulation by vaginitis and those with prolapsed uterus, loose vaginal wall and severe cervical laceration. In addition, contraceptive jelly plays a lubricating role and helps to improve the quality of sexual life. However, this is still a solution that treats the symptoms but not the root cause, and it is not a long-term solution for patients with fertility requirements. Option 3 Anti-allergic medication Mainly antihistamines are used to combat the symptoms associated with semen allergy and are indicated for prophylactic use before sex and symptomatic support treatment after sex. Clinical studies have been conducted at the Seoul National University Clinical Medical Research Center in Korea on successful pregnancies after prophylactic control of semen allergy symptoms with oral loratadine dispersible tablets (10mgQd) or topical application of antihistamines (sodium cromoglycate ointment). Option 4 Desensitization therapy is primarily indicated for those with severe allergic symptoms who have failed to respond to treatment with oral loratadine or topical sodium cromoglycate ointment. Desensitization therapy usually consists of intravaginal injection of diluted semen of the sexual partner, starting from 1:10,000 or 1:100,000 and injected vaginally at intervals of 20 to 45 min, increasing the concentration by 10 times each time, gradually increasing the concentration to the original undiluted semen. This regimen can be used to “desensitize” the patient by modulating her immune function and making her tolerant to semen allergy. Disadvantages of this option: The treatment process is painful and requires strong perseverance, otherwise it is difficult to persevere. Option 5: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is mainly used for patients who cannot tolerate desensitization therapy. The allergenic components of the patient’s husband’s semen are removed through techniques related to in vitro fertilization, and the preferentially treated semen is slowly injected into the uterine cavity by means of intrauterine insemination. Of course, for semen allergy, these are the more recognized prevention and treatment measures at home and abroad, and there are still reports in China of treatment by extracting the husband’s blood for intramuscular injection into the patient to produce protective antibodies. I believe that through today’s study, we have a better understanding of semen allergy, and in the future, when we meet patients or relatives with corresponding symptoms, we should not mistake them for ordinary gynecological diseases or skin diseases, but should consider “semen allergy” as one of the alternate diagnoses. For patients who are clearly diagnosed with “semen allergy”, don’t worry that you won’t be able to have a baby in the future, there is always one of the above mentioned options for you!