Sperm Allergy as a Cause of Infertility

Sperm allergy or semen allergy known as human seminal plasma hypersensitivity can significantly affect a couple's chances of conception. It manifests as a condition where a man develops allergy to his own sperm (which happens sometimes after a vasectomy, testicular torsion, trauma or infection) or a woman can become allergic to her partner’s seminal fluid causing her mild yet unpleasant sperm allergy symptoms like soreness, burning, hives, itching etc. This may force the couple to use a condom which though one of the most effective ways to prevent the allergic reaction also ends up preventing pregnancy. Semen allergy is usually caused due to a reaction or allergy to certain proteins that are found in the partner’s semen.

A woman who is allergic to sperm may produce antibodies which fight the sperm cells (interpreted as a foreign presence in the body that needs to be eliminated) whenever they enter her body. These antibodies may completely disable the sperm cells and prevent them from reaching or fertilizing the woman's egg thus acting as an obstacle to conception.

Diagnosis and treatment

Often semen allergies are misdiagnosed as common yeast infection or herpes infection. Hence it’s important that a proper assessment and diagnosis is conducted. Once accurately diagnosed, couples can be treated successfully and fertility restored. The treatment regimen would include one of the following:

• Protein Desensitization is a process where allergy shots are given to the woman to desensitize her reaction to the proteins found in her partner’s semen. The injections are given once every 10-15 minutes for several hours. The desensitization treatment is concluded to have been successful if no reaction takes place during subsequent vaginal contact.

• Semen Desensitization is a cheaper but laborious fertility treatment option where a series of injections of diluted seminal fluid, at higher and higher concentrations are inserted into the vagina to desensitize it

• If desensitizing treatments prove to be unsuccessful, it is indicative of a very serious sperm allergy. The woman may then have to consider more radical treatment options of assisted reproduction methods such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). These methods allow a woman to get pregnant without coming into contact with the proteins in her partner's sperm. Artificial Insemination with sperm that has gone through a protein removal process where they are washed free of semen protein is another treatment option.

It is important for women (and men) to consult with an OBGYN if they suspect that they have symptoms of sperm allergy. A proper line of treatment which might include assisted reproductive technologies (ART) will bring things back to normal, increasing chances of getting pregnant.

East Bay Fertility Center, California, specializes in providing infertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilization, insemination, Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, egg donation and gestational surrogacy. Under the guidance of Dr. Ellen U. Snowden, Medical Director and Reproductive Endocrinologist, medical staff at East Bay provides dedicated treatment for infertility and reproductive endocrine issues.

Call 925.828.9235 for a free initial consultation and for more details about infertility treatments and more.