Researchers in the UK say that some people may develop an aversion to sex due to bacteria or proteins found in male semen, which can trigger serious symptoms such as pain, genital swelling, or even shortness of breath.
The condition is called Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity. It was first identified in 1967, but today, experts such as Dr. Michael Carroll, a lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, believe it could be more common than previously thought.
Dr. Carroll explains that the symptoms are often mistaken for STIs or other typical infections. However, when a woman uses condoms, the symptoms tend to disappear—possibly indicating an allergic reaction to semen.
While the condition was once thought to be rare, a 1997 study found that over 12% of women who experienced symptoms after intercourse may actually suffer from this hypersensitivity.
Currently, the condition is mostly seen in women aged between 20 and 59, but men can also suffer from a similar disorder known as Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS). In these cases, men report symptoms such as headaches, muscle aches, and abdominal pain after ejaculation.
Diagnosis includes reviewing sexual and medical history, along with a skin prick test using the male partner’s semen. Dr. Carroll adds that treatment may involve antihistamines or desensitisation therapy to reduce the allergic response.
