The Best Ways to Tell If You’re Allergic to Sex

Chocolate, alcohol, the great outdoors – all wonderful things that millions love, but some suffer from severe allergies that prevent them from enjoying such treats. And it seems that some people have the same reaction to lovemaking. No, being allergic to sex does not mean that you are also allergic to the act of sexual intercourse. Like relationships, it’s more nuanced. Here’s how to best determine if you’re allergic to sex.

Like any allergy, a sexual allergy occurs when your immune system reacts negatively to a substance, regardless of whether the substance comes from your partner or you. These allergies are difficult to pinpoint precisely because many of the symptoms include heavy breathing, sweating, and other presumably natural side effects of sex.

The renowned expert Dr. Lindsey Doe gives tips on how to recognize and deal with the situation. Here are some of the ways we think you can tell if you have developed a sexual allergy. If you feel like you are suffering from an allergy, you should see a doctor quickly.

1. After an orgasm you feel sick

There’s something called post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS), which occurs when a man has an allergic reaction to his own sperm. And the symptoms are similar to those of the flu. Immediately after ejaculation, a man experiences a runny nose, itchy eyes, and a sore throat, among other symptoms. POIS is rare and there are no known treatments.

2. You feel a burning sensation after using a condom

A reaction to latex is not uncommon. About three million Americans are allergic to the synthetic product, which is derived from rubber trees and is used not only in condoms but also in a variety of sex products. Unlike food, condom manufacturers do not have to disclose the ingredients. A good rule of thumb, says Doe: Avoid lubricants (and lubricated condoms), since advertising flavors, cooling or warming sensations isn’t the best thing for your body. So if you are a woman who suddenly has an irritated vagina, you could be allergic and should see your gynecologist.

3. There is pain in your life and/or relationship

Not just sex, but also experiencing pain in your life, including domestic violence, trauma, sexual shame, and relationship problems, can trigger a physiological response known as “genital armoring” – a physical response to something mental.

“The immune system does its best to signal that something is wrong,” says Doe.

4. You get allergy symptoms after sleeping with someone new

A telltale sign that something is wrong with your body is a side effect right after sleeping with a new partner. There is a possibility that you are allergic to her sperm. Unlike POIS, this condition is called seminal plasma hypersensitivity (SPH).

Doe says: “Basically, a protein in the fluid triggers an allergic reaction, usually pain and burning.” It can also cause shortness of breath, dizziness and diarrhea. The good news here is that this is very rare. At most, only about 40,000 women in the US experience this, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed.