Lemondrop recently linked to a story about a girl who discovered that she might be having an allergic reaction to having sex with her boyfriend -- and, sadly, I can relate. As someone with no other known allergies, it's especially depressing that the only thing that my body (specifically my lady parts) rejects is my boyfriend.The first few times I had an allergic reaction to him, I didn't completely catch on. I've always stuck to wearing condoms before with him, so I wasn't sure what to expect when we switched to oral contraceptives. But each time after sex I would inevitably notice an irritation down there.
At first I brushed off as an annoying-but-harmless urinary tract infection. But before I ever had a chance to chug a liter of cranberry juice, the sensation would go away -- usually within a few hours.
But as it turns out, it's not my boyfriend, but what comes out of him that I'm allergic to: his semen.
Click here to read the answer to Beth's burning question ...
Many women with a semen allergy often confuse it with a recurring yeast infection or UTI. Most gynecologists will often diagnose those before concluding that your vagina is inhospitable to baby batter. Other symptoms can include swelling, itching, hives and trouble breathing.
Because the proteins in body fluids vary from guy to guy, it is common to be allergic to one guy's semen but not another's. Since I'm allergic to my boyfriend's emissions, not semen in general, I can't help but worry if I should take that as a sign that maybe chemically, he isn't right for me. After all, I really need my vagina's support in my dating life.
The simple fix for a semen allergy is just using condoms, which neither of us are entirely opposed to. And there is also the option of desensitization (his favorite option) which basically entails having lots of sex until my body adjusts, like building up a tolerance to alcohol.
But while we figure out how to have sex that won't potentially stop my breathing, I'm worried that this is Mother Nature's warped way of suggesting I move on to a more compatible mate.
Tell us: Would you ditch your boyfriend if you found out you were allergic to him?
Beth Brennan is a frequent Lemondrop contributor who works in the media industry.












Comments:
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Thursday 07 May
By Jenn
No, I wouldn't ditch him especially if I loved him. WARNING MAYBE TMI~I would just have to learn to deal with the uncomfortableness of it. I actually had this issue with my last because he had diabetes and everytime we were together I felt like I had a yeast infection itchy it was miserable. I would get mine cured and then boom next time we did anything it came back. Even if he just brushed against me I would get red bumps on my arm or whereever he touched me at. We are not together anymore but that's not why.
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Sunday 10 May
By zuzu
its discomfort...not uncomfortableness
Sunday 10 May
By Cristina
Is it bad that I think I might break up with a boyfriend if I were in that situation? ahhh it is.. it totally is, but the thought of being uncomfortable after sex with him EVERY SINGLE TIME... ack. At some point I'd probably just want to move on. Atleast it's something I'd probably find out early on in the relationship, before we became too attached. I know that sounds horrible. I'm a terrible person....
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Sunday 10 May
By Cris
Is it bad if I say that I would consider breaking up with a boyfriend if I were in that situation?
ahhhhh It is... it's totally awful. But the idea of being uncomfortable after having sex EVERY SINGLE NIGHT.....
I think at some point I would just give up and move on. At least that's something that I would probably find out early on in the relationship, before we became too attached so it wouldn't be too bad of a break up.
Yeah I know...I'm a horrible person.
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Wednesday 13 May
By ren
I would be willing to bet that for women who have this problem with some guys, it's got something to do with his diet. If the taste of vaginal/penal admissions are affected by diet, then it makes sense that "allergic reactions" can be related to that. I don't know if the author reads comments, but if you do, do you have any food allergies that you know of? Even if you don't know of any, you could still have some food allergies.
Seeing as how I don't like men...haha...I can't really answer the question about dumping a boyfriend over this. But if I did, I really would be asking questions about what he eats and getting tested for food allergies.
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Monday 18 May
By soph
I'm pretty sure i have the same thing, aka i get the swelling and itching sensation after sex most of the time. Ive always just thought it was from friction or us going too long, but it doesnt always seem t happen like that.
I dont really like condoms and neither dies he, but he always pulls out...
I mean ... i guess i should use them or something idk?
But i do love him, and would never dump him over that.
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Wednesday 27 May
By mm
sexy
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Wednesday 10 June
By Lauren
I would, like, totally dump him. My boyfriend is a big guy, so I would have a big reaction if I were allergic to him. I'm such a bad person, but that's the way I feel.
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Tuesday 23 June
By Crystal
I would dump him, I cannot stand anything going on "down there" yeast infections are the worst!!!
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Tuesday 29 December
By Tip
Of course you'd dump him, your name is crystal you slut.
Saturday 07 November
By Ouch
I have this problem and it is absolute agony. I have been with my boyfriend over a year and we try our best just to not let him ejaculate inside me. Sometimes it happens by accident but it really hurts. I wouldn't dump him over it. I love him :)
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Wednesday 24 February
By Eddie from Jersey
Maybe you're allergic to his diet.
If you wrote a column about being allergic to my spunk and then asked people whether or not you should use it as criteria to break up with me I might be inclined to have sex with your sister and your mom on video and show it at your next office christmas party.
Just saying.
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