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Love Sick (Some Women Are Allergic to Sperm)

Posted by NWSO • November 19, 2009 • Printer-friendly

I discovered some shocking news the other day. I was reading Asylum.com and came across a disturbing article about a woman named Julie Boyd that was actually allergic to her newlywed husband’s (Mike) sperm. Yes, you read correctly, she’s allergic to the love juice of the man she just married.

You’re probably wondering the same thing I was when I read that: why would Julie marry Mike if she were allergic to his sperm? Well, this couple practiced safe sex until they were hitched so she never had any direct contact with his man milk until their wedding night.

Okay, allergies aren’t that bad, right? You get a runny nose, sneeze or maybe break out in hives. That’s a small price to pay for someone you love. Well, this unlucky lady actually gets stricken with excruciating pain whenever she has unprotected sex with her husband.

“The pain that I was feeling was inside," Julie explained. “Like somebody sticking needles up inside of me like a real painful burning.”

ThatsABadLook.com (Coming soon).

After seeking medical help for the pain, Julie was diagnosed with seminal plasma hypersensitivity. It’s a very rare condition. "According to a recent review of coital allergy, there were fewer than a hundred cases of the more severe generalized allergic-type reaction," says Dr. Clifford Bassett of the NYU School of Medicine. "Persistent or recurring local allergic reactions—itchiness, genital swelling and burning—are more common."

Based on what I read, women afflicted with this condition are not allergic to every man’s semen but only some. More specifically, specific proteins in a particular man’s seminal fluid. At any rate, there is some hope for women with seminal plasma hypersensitivity.

In the case if the Boyds, they’ve opted for “allergen avoidance,” which basically means they’ll wear rubbers for the rest of their marriage. As for kids, there only option is adoption or a surrogate mother since his sperm can’t fertilize her eggs.

If that seems too extreme, you can always try "intra-vaginal rush desensitization," which involves applying steadily increasing amount of semen to the woman in question, until she builds up a tolerance. Sure she might have a few painful moments, but perhaps the doctor ordered sex every 48 hours will be worth it. For him probably, but it’s doubtful for her.

Currently there’s no specific data to say whether or not women with seminal plasma hypersensitivity only have negative reactions from vaginal intercourse, but I wouldn’t advise anyone with adverse reactions to semen testing out their tolerance level in other orifices. Talk about a gag reflex.

Have you ever heard of seminal plasma hypersensitivity? What would you do if you or your partner had this condition? I know that sex isn’t everything but it is a big part of a marriage; do you think that you could actually stay with someone for life without having raw sex or your own kids? Do you see something like this potentially ruining a long-term relationship? Do you think love could overcome the hurdles something like seminal plasma hypersensitivity?

Speak your piece…

Tagged as: abdominal pain, allergic, allergies, semen, seminal plasma hypersensitivity

mizze

First off, the first thing i thought about this was when you posted an article about you using condoms even after marriage until you were ready for kids. If you were planning on doing this then it shouldnt be a problem for you right? THere is artificial insemination, so, there you go if you decide to wanna have kids.. And if you wanted to stop, then wouldnt you go back to condoms? Well, sounds simple or is it the fact that you CANT is what makes it that bad? If you were already considering using condoms but in the back of your mind you knew you could pull it off, does this change the circumstances?

But to the questions:
Have you ever heard of seminal plasma hypersensitivity?
YES! I actually watched the episode you are talking about

What would you do if you or your partner had this condition?
I am a female so ummmm..it would be hard for him to have the condition.. but I wouldnt know if were in the situation

I know that sex isn’t everything but it is a big part of a marriage; do you think that you could actually stay with someone for life without having raw sex or your own kids?
Couldnt they have kids artificially? Or is she completely allergic? I cant remember her saying she couldnt have kids.. I think that some people could go a lifetime without having unprotected sex.. Is it hard? YES.. Is it possible? YES.. Could I? I dont think so. Its only because I have been having sex for SOOO long without condoms that I dont think I could go back.

Do you see something like this potentially ruining a long-term relationship?
Yes it could. I mean, I knew a couple whose husband left because she couldnt have sex with him. She had endometrios and it was very painful
during sex often (but not all the time). I also seen this Tyra show where women were in extreme pain during sex and their husbands were there for them and it had been years since they had sex. Were those men cheating? I dont know. But I think it puts a REAL strain on the marriage that most men cant handle (and i am only saying that because the article is about a woman!!)

Do you think love could overcome the hurdles something like seminal plasma hypersensitivity?
Yes. Real love can. Is it going to be perfect? No. Is it not going to be hard? NO. This woman at my church's husband has ALS and is permanently in a wheelchair. They just renewed their vows (been married 40 years but he was not that way when they first married).. so it can work. Is this the norm? HELL NO!
mizze

Oh, I just read that she cant have kids with him.. my bad..missed that
Sohoissooverated

WTF so they waited till they were married to stop using condoms? Poor couple. I feel terrible if either of them ever want kids.
http://spinsterstravels.wordpress.com/ Spinster

Have you ever heard of seminal plasma hypersensitivity?
- I know someone who has this condition. She was allergic to her ex's sperm/semen. It didn't/doesn't help that he's a complete asshole too.

What would you do if you or your partner had this condition? I know that sex isn’t everything but it is a big part of a marriage; do you think that you could actually stay with someone for life without having raw sex or your own kids?
- Sure can. Child-free by choice.

Do you see something like this potentially ruining a long-term relationship?
- That's up to each individual and each couple.

Do you think love could overcome the hurdles something like seminal plasma hypersensitivity?
- Yeah, why not.
_______________________

As an aside, Sohoissooverrated - what's wrong with them waiting until they got married to stop using condoms?
Sohoissooverated

@ spinster. I always find it is interesting to see that committed couples still uses condoms. Me an my b have been together 3years. We still use condoms b.c. They're working and I don't want to try the pill or other contraceptives right now. I would like to see what raw feels like some day. And if me and my man were engaged or before we got married I would assume that at some point the condoms would come off. With this couple, while they were dating did they never go raw? While they were engages they never went raw? If you in a relationship with only one person an nobody on the side, wouldn't condoms come off before u jump the broom? Ok maybe the condom didn't come off because they weren't ready for kids, but there's other alternatives like the pill, the shot, nuva ring.
Elle

Life's a bitch.

Sorry, I don't know. I find this more funny than I find it disturbing or whatever. Especially since dude is called Mike ... ha! (inside joke)

That's why I say you need to know who you are dealing with (and I mean TRULY know as much as you can) before you get married to really be able to make an educated decision.

I can't imagine what it feels like to react allergic to sperm and I guess I'm insensitive but many "sexual problems" are mental IMO. The human mind is an amazing thing. This may not be the case here but if sex is always painful I think it is time to skip the doctor and find a therapist/analyst. These women might have been abused when they were children and pushed the trauma so far into the back of their mind that they do not actively remember.

It's hard to answer the questions you posed because THIS is not going to happen to me. At least not AFTER I am married.
And if I were allergic in a committed, long term relationship I am sure it would take it's toll on us. While I'm sure I wouldn't be the one to end a relationship based on this, men have dumped women for less. So I guess it would only be a matter of time until he couldn't or wouldn't want to deal with it anymore.
Skye Blue

This story is strange and heartbreaking.

1. Have you ever heard of seminal plasma hypersensitivity?

Not until reading this post.

2. What would you do if you or your partner had this condition? I know that sex isn’t everything but it is a big part of a marriage; do you think that you could actually stay with someone for life without having raw sex or your own kids?

Adopting could cover the kids thing, but the perpetual condom use may be a bit much for me.

3. Do you see something like this potentially ruining a long-term relationship?

Don't think it would necessarily if the couple in question is willing to look at solutions and work at keeping the lines of communication on the issue open.

4. Do you think love could overcome the hurdles something like seminal plasma hypersensitivity?

Yep - as above.
DC Man With a Plan

@ Mizze. Why did you make so much of your commentary about An's? This isn't about HIM, he's just sharing an interesting story to give ppl a chance to assess their views and read what other people think and value. U were giving him the bizness like this is about YOU and HIM! smdh......NWSO NEVER said what he'd do.....He presented the story and asked what would each of us who cares to comment do............
Keisha Brown

Have you ever heard of seminal plasma hypersensitivity?
-Not until now! WOW!

What would you do if you or your partner had this
condition?
-be honest with myself. either suck it up and use condoms or change partners. easier said than done if it's a marriage.

I know that sex isn’t everything but it is a big part of a marriage; do you think that you could actually stay with someone for life without having raw sex or your own kids?
-honestly? no i don't.

Do you see something like this potentially ruining a long-term relationship?
-yes. a person who gets married so that they can have kids shouldn't have to compromise that if they aren't willing to.

Do you think love could overcome the hurdles something like seminal plasma hypersensitivity?
-i would like to think so. love can overcome some major things. but i think most would take the easy way out.

PS: I also agree with Elle - it's so important to know the person you plan on spending the rest of your life with. I feel bad because they did everything 'right/they were supposed to'
DC Man With a Plan

Interesting topic bcuz it's something everyone can have an opinion on, whether you're having sex now or not. I have read a blog about a woman having sensitivity to her man's sperm, but they didn't get as deep into the clinical details as you do here: props to Ans for always attempting to be on point and provide that professional journalistic element. As far as the couple goes, it's gotta SUCK to find this out, but LOVE, devotion and commitment can easily over-come whatever complications this brings about. Hopefully, there will be some medical advances down the road, that will help them be able to have a child of their own through a normal process. But naw, if you married with fore- thought and introspection, this is not a big issue. I would HOPE the two of them could even find some humor in this unique situation. Now if she was ALSO allergic to condoms, THAT would be a MAJOR problem! life, marriage, friendships are full of obstacles, some you can control, others you just have to bypass, still others you have to be creative to get around, but if the will is there, there is NOTHING that can come between a loving couple. Hopefully, they got it like that. Most men (as in 90% of us) are cool as long as we're getting some....lmao. Even if you need to put some limits on it, or make some special arrangements, as long as we're gettin hit-off on the regular, Yeah, we'll go through some ish with you BOO....
Ego

God forbid... Love is hard to find and now this...
Righteous Mama

LOL - you said man milk. tee hee.
LOL at ThatsABadLook.com. tee hee hee.

But seriously, I would be devastated if I had this condition. But then again, I would have known about it long before officially being married.

Now that I'm older, all serious relationships have the potential for marriage so I operate with that in mind. I admire couples that use protection until marriage but for ME, I don't see the point. If I'm in a monogomous or sexual relationship where we agree not to sleep with other people, I don't see how it's different from the vow you make in marriage to be faithful. Married people cheat too so the papers give a false sense of protection and security in my humble opinion. Saying now we're married so we can drop the condoms thing is lame to me. Promises can be made and kept just as well without the papers. From the gate, I tell my significant other, IF you should slip and I hope you don't PLEASE love me enough to at least protect yourself and me. That's just how I see it. Sex is too important to me to have to make late discoveries that may change how I feel about being committed to someone.

I totally agree with Elle that you should know as much as you can about a person BEFORE you marry them so you can make an informed decision.

But if I did have this condition and I was in love with the man I would do my damnest to figure out a way to fix it. We would be on the strictest fruit and veggie, vegan diet I could find. A healthy diet is GREAT for improving sperm quality and making it yummy.

I never heard of this before but I do have a friend that used to break out with bad acne after sex with her lover. Another reason for people to watch what they eat. I believe most non-hereditary medical conditions are caused by poor diet.
CNN

I have heard of it before. I have some severe allergies too (food, environmental etc) and when I have an allergic reaction I feel like I want to jump out of my skin. It itches, burns and breaks into rashes. I understood Elle's point but I suffer from allergies and lord knows I wish it were mental
Shequita

I've never heard of this condition. I know marriage is not all about sex but It's very important for me. I think love still triumphs over all but this would be a HUGE strain on the relationship. I think the thing that would break my heart the most would be that I wouldn't be able to reproduce with my life partner. And am I the only one who thinks that its kinda RARE that they never had raw sex before marriage?? In committed relationships shyt happens especially in cohabitation...if they did!!
http://www.guerillaartist.com Deka

“intra-vaginal rush desensitization” WOW

sounds like a single from Kool Keith lol
http://twitter.com/chocopina chocopina

i've heard of it, and actually i had it. not a severe as this woman but i had it. i was engaged and me and my betrothed decided to stop using rubbers.

...it is not a good feeling! at all. at first i was all like negro did you give me something? he swore that he hadn't been cheating and that he was totally clean, but i insisted we go to the doctor. we did and both checked out healthy. had some additional tests done and turns out i was allergic to his soldiers. the doc told me that i wasn't necessarily allergic to all soldiers, just my fiance's soldiers. i haven't done any further testing to see if its true for another man.

probably for the best that he and i didn't actually get married, that would have put a real cramp in our love life.
http://www.gangstarrgirl.com GangStarr Girl

Damn. I guess milk was a poor choice. Word to Ron Burgundy.
grownandsexy83

damn, you learn something new everyday.
Shequita

@ DC

I thought I was the only one who sensed she sounded a wee bit hostile...Mizze yall got something yall wanna tell us?? LOL kiddin
da ThRONe

I had actually read this before. Strange! But like Elle said lifes a bitch. I dont think the couple did anything wrong just a weird anomaly that doesnt work in their favor.

If they where able to find love the should not let this end it. Adoption is a healthy choice. There is so much more to being a parent then eggs and sperm.
Siante J

That's gotta suck.
mizze

@DC Man With A Plan

Umm, you could have just left it at "Why did you make so much of your commentary about An’s?" and I would have answered it.. Soo that being said- the only reason I said that was because there are men who say that they will use condoms even after they are married. I only used his post (Do You Use Condoms In A Committed Relationship) as an EXAMPLE that there are men like that. Because if I were just to say- Oh, men dont have a problem using condoms after they are married there would be a barrage of comments on that.My whole point was to show that when you have the OPTION of using condoms or not-- its not such a big idea. But when that option is taken away from you, THEN it presents a problem. You get it?

What if girl had this problem and you were STILL using condoms after marriage? You wouldnt find out til you remove the condom...The whole point of me bringing that up was JUST to lead into the question of " do you think that you could actually stay with someone for life without having raw sex?" I used his post to shwo that some people actually still do and prefer to use condoms after marriage still (mostly to prevent pregnancy). THATS IT! I was not angry or upset or trying to attack him!!! I have nothing against him and i clearly said I saw the show so I knew what he was talking about so clearly it wasnt about him.
Ozymandius

condoms while married? hells no.

is that lady's marriage doomed? hells yeah (if she doesnt handle it)

I dont agree with the no-sex before marriage. It's actually quite foolish. Okay, no, it's bloody retarded unless you are ordered to do so by some religious sacrament. This is a perfect example why.

They would have known about this "condition" way before now, and could have handled it or disband because of. Now they are hitched, and they are fucked- no pun intended.

Even in a normal circumstance, say you get married, do the do, then find out you are sexually incompatible- then what? marriage counseling? sex counseling? or count the days until someone strays...I may sound very liberal, but in these modern times, it's just being realistic. And I'm really real, lol

What a shame. Sorry for them.
DC Man With a Plan

lmao...Ok, Mizze. I SEE what you're talkin about now, bcuz it sure wasn't plain initially. And just like you said I coulda stopped after saying...X,Y, Z...you sho found a way to go on and on...and ON again!
mamilove

I wonder if he could just pull out and not neccesarily ejaculate in her? And what about oral sex? He never got any head before marriage either? Or ever?
Shequita

They had sex before they got married they just always used condoms @ Mamilove and Ozymandius
mizze

@DC Man With A Plan

No its coo boo.. just thank you for asking me to explain instead of just jumping to thinkin what I was talkin bout. Sorry that was not clear though.. oh yeah, I go on and on about things. I just wanted to make sure you actually understood what I was talkin about this time cuz I thought the first comment was clear and obviously it wasnt..
Full of Fire

Sheesh...
YoungJay

Maybe I'm a romantic but let me find the girl of my dreams...wearing a condom and having to adopt ain't gonna stop me from keeping her and keeping her happy. Growing up in a single parent house kinda makes you appreciate that parenthood isn't about DNA and that true love (romantic,parental,etc) can overcome anything.
BMW2K

WOW! I am really surprised at all the male-centric answers. From my perspective, HE is the one with the issue - not her. HE should be worried. She can find a man who's sperm does NOT give he the crawlies AND she can have children with them. Granted the testing phase might be tricky, but still. . . If he wants to leave her because HIS soldiers are acidic, then screw him. She deserves better.

I really believe though that they can work this out - and they are. My husband and I started using condoms before we were married, after marriage, and continue to use them today. The only time we did not (purposely) use them was when planning our two sons.

So I don't think her marriage is doomed? No.

I think it is difficult to say what you would NOT do for the person you love and are committed to when you haven't even met them yet.
Elle

@CNN

Oh undoubtedly, allergies usually are not mental. I didn't mean to imply that. I was more so referring to women who are ALWAYS experiencing pain during intercourse.

Shoot, I'm allergic to cats and it definitely is no joke...LoL. If had been a cat owner I would have taken anti-hystaminica (?) instead of giving my cat away or something. So I guess the same applies to the situation at hand. I'm sure there are some pills I could take to prevent an allergic reaction to my husband's sperm.
I can't believe I just typed that .... haha.

Anywayssssssss ... I'm single, I don't have these problems .. ha!
ttyf

Wow! I thought I was alone, everyone thinks I 'm crazy when I say I'm allergic to my husbands sperm. He thinks I say it so we won't have sex but he makes me ill. I took him to get checked for diseases but he was clean.I get check every year. Now I know what to tell the doc. Thanks!
Ozymandias

ok ok, since they did have sex before marriage, i'm still quite surprised that even while engaged, not even any raw play? interesting.
Ms Zoi

Wow... welll I know I'm an ASSHOLE for saying this but... I'd be out really fast... well maybe not fast but I wouldn't stay in the relationship. I waited too damn long to raw dog with my fiance and to have to strap on a condom is like not getting any at all. I may as well get a dildo and a chick and neither one is happening (well except the dildo part, those are cool even with your partner). Eventually everything ends with time and if I'm allergic to your man milk then maybe I shouldn't be with you! Don't worry there are plenty of single men searching for a good woman and if you are that you can move on...
sweetsexxybrown

I'm really surprised at the amount of people who believe you should have unprotected sex before marriage. Using protection should be about protecting yourself from disease and not becoming pregnant before you're ready. If you choose to have unprotected sex-thats fine-but why is everyone criticizing the couple for using protection prior to marriage? Sooo what. That was their decision as its yours to have it unprotected. Quite honestly, I think its rather nice. I actually am practicing 'the no raw sex rule' until marriage. Reason: I want to give my husband something special-and something to look forward to as we enter into this union. Cause I sure as hell can't give him my virginity,lol.

I don't think their situation is a big deal. It's a disappointment I'm sure, but not a big deal if they love each other. Both of their 'love below's" still work.Their tools are not inoperable. I understand wanting to have that feeling of one-ness with your partner, but in this situation they are gonna have to work around it. It just sucks when it comes to reproduction unless its surrogacy. Other than that, they can still get it crackin!

But what I am wondering is (this may be a bit technical) I assume she's allergic to the pre-j but is the allergic reaction larger with a full ejaculation or is it the same? If its not the same, if I were her I would endure the little bit of pain from the pre-j and make him pull out before the full release. (This would be a treat on birthdays and holidays!)
AnonyMiss

Wow that sucks. Wonder if she gets an allergic reaction during oral sex too....
bogart4017

This is not a new phenom. I read about it years ago (sometime in the 80's).