July 2012 Weddings

Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing...

...I've heard of this before, but I guess I didn't realize how common it was?

Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing...

  • That would be so horrible to deal with!  And yes, we are very curious!  
  • yes, curious people we are. How do they deal with it?
    doggie Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • I posted this in the other thread - but I'll post it here too.

    Actually - it's more common than you would think. The issue is - it goes undiagnosed or is misdiagnosed. A lot of times - these women are tested for STDs multiple times, yeast infections, or bacterial. Because it's not a well-known condition - most doctors don't even think about it.

    Most of our patients came from them seeing the television show. They saw that and a light bulb went off in their head. They'd search it and come across our website.  They would mail us blood and semen samples - and Dr. Bernstein would confirm the allergy was in fact their problem - before they traveled.'

    Treatment involved a series of allergy shots - given over a two day period (These women would get upwards of 30 shots in each arm) - to the various "Seminal fractions" that they tested positive too. They are made from their partner's semen in Dr. Bernstein's lab.

    After day one, the couple returns to their hotel - has sex - and comes back te next day to know if symptoms were relieved.

    It's a devastasting allergy. One patient - she was a virgin and had a reaction on their honeymoon. While most allergies can't occur on first exposure - this one can due to a link between a certain hormone/chemical in the semen and dogs (not dog semen..just dogs..saliva...skin..whatever). So the first time she and her new husband had sex, she had intense burning, swelling, pain.

    Some can even anaphylax.
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  • Some of the patients even start to think of themselves as being crazy - because people just won't take them seriously.

    Or it can really damage a marriage - when everytime the guy ejaculates - he's hurting his wife so extremely.

    http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/woman-allergic-husbands-sperm/story?id=8987231

    The condition is called seminal plasma hypersensitivity, and an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 women in the United States may have it, Goldstein said.

    Dr. Jonathan Bernstein, an immunologist at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center, said, "It can be systemic and present anaphylaxis where individuals have not just localized discomfort. They actually can have hives, soft tissue swelling … and, in the severe situations … they can ... potentially die."

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  • So sad and scary. What if they wanted to get pregnant?
    doggie Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • If they want to get pregnant, it is POSSIBLE - but it will be very painful.

    Now two of our patients got pregnant after the treatment - sent us cards with the beautiful little babies on the front. The treatment makes sex not be painful.

    Also - you have to have unprotected sex 3x weekly to maintain the "treatment status".


    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_brightflywere-curious-this-allergic-semen-thing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:5a4c5d92-63ac-43cb-aa5e-05f8e7eebcfaPost:3d5c5083-6e6b-40e6-9cf8-9277fe6a8a65">Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing...</a>:
    [QUOTE]Do condoms help?
    Posted by littlemoments324[/QUOTE]

    Yes. Condoms should eliminate the reactions. The women are allergic to the semen - so as long as they aren't exposed to the seminal fluid (or pre-seminal fluid) - they won't have symptoms. That's one of the indicators that this is an allergy and not just uncomfortable sex.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • so crazy!! So very interesting!!

    Is this something you're thinking of specializing in as far as nursing goes?
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_brightflywere-curious-this-allergic-semen-thing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:5a4c5d92-63ac-43cb-aa5e-05f8e7eebcfaPost:a02332f6-ae37-4c2b-88dc-09251db2b242">Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing...</a>:
    [QUOTE]If they want to get pregnant, it is POSSIBLE - but it will be very painful. Now two of our patients got pregnant after the treatment - sent us cards with the beautiful little babies on the front. The treatment makes sex not be painful. Also - you have to have unprotected sex 3x weekly to maintain the "treatment status". In Response to Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing... : Yes. Condoms should eliminate the reactions. The women are allergic to the semen - so as long as they aren't exposed to the seminal fluid (or pre-seminal fluid) - they won't have symptoms. That's one of the indicators that this is an allergy and not just uncomfortable sex.
    Posted by BrightFirefly[/QUOTE]

    What do you mean that it'll be very painful? If the shots are working- shouldn't it be pain free? Or are they not alowed to get the shots while pregnant?? Or is it painful having a baby grow inside especially because it's part of a semen?
    doggie Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_brightflywere-curious-this-allergic-semen-thing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:5a4c5d92-63ac-43cb-aa5e-05f8e7eebcfaPost:e5912917-a09d-471a-a411-3fe38a3f68c2">Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing...</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing... : What do you mean that it'll be very painful? If the shots are working- shouldn't it be pain free? Or are they not alowed to get the shots while pregnant?? Or<strong> is it painful having a baby grow inside especially because it's part of a semen?</strong>
    Posted by mekiakoo[/QUOTE]
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_brightflywere-curious-this-allergic-semen-thing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:5a4c5d92-63ac-43cb-aa5e-05f8e7eebcfaPost:e5912917-a09d-471a-a411-3fe38a3f68c2">Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing...</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing... : What do you mean that it'll be very painful? If the shots are working- shouldn't it be pain free? Or are they not alowed to get the shots while pregnant?? Or is it painful having a baby grow inside especially because it's part of a semen?
    Posted by mekiakoo[/QUOTE]

    No no no, sorry. I misunderstood. It would be very painful to get pregnant prior to treatment - but still possible.

    After treatment, as long as it was successful (and it's not 100% success rate - nothing ever is) - the allergy should not hinder pregnancy attempts.

    Most women only need two days of shots - then unprotected sex 3x a week to maintain the immunity status. Some women do stay on the shots longer.

    I've thought about specializing in women's health because of working with these cases. These women were soooo worn down and emotionally distraught because they just couldn't get answers :\
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  • Go for it!!  This is such an interesting subject!!  I might steal it for an anatomy presentation next semester!!
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_brightflywere-curious-this-allergic-semen-thing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:5a4c5d92-63ac-43cb-aa5e-05f8e7eebcfaPost:3ff4e4b8-6411-4a0c-93dc-c2f1b0acf93d">Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing...</a>:
    [QUOTE]Go for it!!  This is such an interesting subject!!  I might steal it for an anatomy presentation next semester!!
    Posted by littlemoments324[/QUOTE]

    It's a great topic. It always catches people's attention - as clearly illustrated on this board.

    It's one of those things that just about everyone can imagine how terrible it actually is - and are still interested in.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_brightflywere-curious-this-allergic-semen-thing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:5a4c5d92-63ac-43cb-aa5e-05f8e7eebcfaPost:21e7ce10-31b2-4915-98fe-6afd63161eb8">Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing...</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing... : It's a great topic. It always catches people's attention - as clearly illustrated on this board. It's one of those things that just about everyone can imagine how terrible it actually is - and are still interested in.
    Posted by BrightFirefly[/QUOTE]

    I can't imagine how these women feel and especially how it has affected their relationship.

    I met a kid who was allergic to sun and I felt so bad for her. Her skin was peeling all over and she had to wear hat, sunglasses, long sleeved shirt, long pants- be 100% covered. So sad.
    doggie Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_brightflywere-curious-this-allergic-semen-thing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20Club%20BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:5a4c5d92-63ac-43cb-aa5e-05f8e7eebcfaPost:d392d35d-9f9a-45df-b619-7e37d044a6cb">Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing...</a>:
    [QUOTE]. I've thought about specializing in women's health because of working with these cases. These women were soooo worn down and emotionally distraught because they just couldn't get answers :\
    Posted by BrightFirefly[/QUOTE]

    <div>I definitely undestand, and I think this it's about time more people specialise in these issues. I have a bladder condition (acutally more of a urethral thing), which has been bothering me for ten years, on and off. After lots of tests, they still don't know what it is, and that's bugging me so much. Finally getting physical therapy now and doing sightly better:</div><div>
    </div><div>But what I wanted to say is that I started reading up on bladder diseases, and followed a certain board on the internet for a long time, and many women there feel the same worn down way you describe. The symptoms are usually vague and pretty embarrassing, it's hard to get diagnosed for many bladder conditions and that too often affects your sex life in a bad way. What made me mad is that I feel is that some of these diseases get way less attention because it's a feminine thing, and often women with vague symptoms still get treated like it's all in their head (many girls on the boards told them that doctors said things along those lines to them, and I heard it too).</div><div>
    </div><div>So, hurray for you for helping sick women out!!!</div>
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  • FI and I were watching this TV special the other day about this topic. I was very curious because when FI and I first started dating and being intimate we used protection. Then after a year we stopped. At first I was very uncomfortable afterwards but it seemed like my body slowly got use to him. I wonder if this was our problem.

    We both get check ups and everything was fine.

    Is it possible to be allergic at first and then your body builds up a resistance on it's own?
    Wedding date July 7, 2012
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_july-2012-weddings_brightflywere-curious-this-allergic-semen-thing?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:066005ef-215f-48b1-8655-328b41e07c52Discussion:5a4c5d92-63ac-43cb-aa5e-05f8e7eebcfaPost:dc238bed-9e40-47d5-af3f-22041d522f6c">Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing...</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Brightfirefly...We're curious about this allergy to semen thing... : I definitely undestand, and I think this it's about time more people specialise in these issues. I have a bladder condition (acutally more of a urethral thing), which has been bothering me for ten years, on and off. After lots of tests, they still don't know what it is, and that's bugging me so much. Finally getting physical therapy now and doing sightly better: But what I wanted to say is that I started reading up on bladder diseases, and followed a certain board on the internet for a long time, and many women there feel the same worn down way you describe. The symptoms are usually vague and pretty embarrassing, it's hard to get diagnosed for many bladder conditions and that too often affects your sex life in a bad way. What made me mad is that I feel is that some of these diseases get way less attention because it's a feminine thing, and often women with vague symptoms still get treated like it's all in their head (many girls on the boards told them that doctors said things along those lines to them, and I heard it too). So, hurray for you for helping sick women out!!!
    Posted by Elinetrouwt[/QUOTE]

    See - that's the same attitude all of our patients had. It's sad. Some of them claimed that doctors (gynecologists, other allergists, you name it..) laughed at them. How unprofessional and disgusting. Sometimes things are SO rare that hey, maybe you (as the doc) don't know the answer and that's okay - but never make the patient feel like they are crazy. Do some research. Sometimes it really is that rare condition that you just didn't think it was.

    I'm glad you're doing better now - hopefully someone can find an answer for you somewhere. :\ One of our patients traveled all the way from Alaska to see us in Ohio..so sometimes you gotta travel to find the doctor that can help.


    <strong>Carla,
    </strong>
    It's possible. It's rare for that to happen - but it's possible you just dessensitized yourself. That isn't a suggested treatment because 1) it doesn't always work that way 2)  the symptoms can actually get progressively worse.

    But because you didn't have symptoms with condoms - and did without condoms - it fits into the typical data-set we looked for.
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
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