We’ve already looked at semen allergies in another article. However, these were about women who had negative reactions to their partner’s emissions. But what if someone was allergic to semen that came out of their own body?
This is the case with one guy that made the news via some scientific papers (along with a few other unfortunate gentlemen with the same condition).
THE STUDY
The unnamed 27-year-old was part of a recent study because he had avoided sex as much as possible over the last ten years. This is because afterward, he would end up with flu-like symptoms that would last for hours or days.
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine paper explained that he would end up coughing, runny nose, sneezing, and a hive-like rash on his forearms after orgasm. And it didn’t matter if it was through intercourse or masturbation.
The study also showed that he had normal semen and testosterone – so nothing funky was going on there. But he did have hay fever and was allergic to cantaloupes.
For the 27-year-old, the solution ended up fairly simple. He was prescribed a daily dose of 180 mg of fexofenadine (you probably know it as “Allegra”). After, the man said there was around a 90% drop in post-orgasm symptoms and he was able to have a normal sex life.
Sadly, it wasn’t going to be a “fix” for other men out there.
ALLERGIC TO SEMEN A.K.A. “POIS”
The medical term is Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome – POIS. One of the paper’s authors pointed out that there are more men than health professionals realize that suffer from this sexual dysfunction. That’s not to say that it’s really common, it’s just something doctors aren’t familiar with and often misdiagnose.
To make things extra clear, the knowledge of POIS has only been around for about 20 years and in that time there have only been around 60 cases.
“The exact etiology of POIS is unclear,” the paper said. “Currently, the best-accepted theory is that symptoms result from Type I and Type IV allergic reactions to autologous [their own] semen. This theory is supported by both the clinical manifestations of POIS as well as the fact that 88 percent of men suspected to have POIS had positive skin-prick tests to diluted, autologous semen.”
Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
This is all just a fancy way of saying that they’re not sure, but the best current guess is it’s connected to Type 1 and 4 allergic reactions (see pictures below to untangle your brain).
Another man they studied went into a shaking trance for about 10 minutes after ejaculation. After, he was just fine.
ALLERGIC TO SEMEN – TREATMENTS
As you can see, there’s not a lot known about POIS. And each person suffers from it differently. Some have it immediately. Others have symptoms days later. They can last for hours or at the top end of a week.
This means that the current treatment regime is also quite varied.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) – a common antidepressant. Doctors prescribing medication for their “additional reactions” is common and called “off-label” prescribing. One example is a medication that’s used for seizures but has an appetite suppressant quality that is given to those with over-eating issues.
- Benzodiazepines – Any of a class of heterocyclic organic compounds used as tranquilizers, such as Librium and Valium.
- Immunotherapy – using substances to stimulate the person’s immune system. In this case, injecting small amounts of semen under the patient’s skin to slowly build up the body’s immunity.
Some might be thinking that abstinence is a way to counter POIS, but it’s not because men can still have nighttime emissions and end up with the same reactions. So giving up on sex isn’t really a cure.
