Allergy to seminal fluid is rare. Symptoms of irritation, burning, soreness or swelling occur during or soon after ejaculation and usually last 2-3 days. More severe reactions, such as swelling of the lips and eyelids or difficulty in breathing, are much less common. Some women experience symptoms the first time they have sex whilst others may only develop a reaction after years of ‘uneventful’ sex.
A personal or family history of allergy, such as asthma or hay fever, is quite common.

Condom use prevents symptoms and is a useful way to help diagnose semen allergy. Skin tests can also be performed to confirm the diagnosis and would be performed by a doctor specialising in allergy or immunology.

There is little information available on semen allergy. For further information and an  overview on genital allergy, please see an article entitled ‘Genital Allergy’ published in the journal ‘Sexually Transmitted Infection’ in 2004. Volume 80, pages 4-7.