You may have an allergy to your partner’s semen. This condition is called human seminal plasma hypersensitivity. It’s rare, but it can cause burning during sex or after.
You can try desensitizing yourself to your partner’s sperm by undergoing intravaginal graded exposure. This involves having an allergist place diluted semen into your vagina or penis at regular intervals until you can tolerate it without a reaction.
Semen allergy
If you are allergic to sperm or semen, you may have a severe reaction that causes rashes, itching and burning. This is a condition known as seminal plasma hypersensitivity. It is a real allergy, and it can affect both women and men. In women, the symptoms tend to appear on the vulva or inside the vaginal canal. In homosexual men, they can also appear around the mouth (oral sex), chest or anus. These symptoms can be localized or systemic, but they usually appear within 30 minutes of exposure.
It can be difficult to diagnose a semen allergy because the symptoms resemble those of STDs, yeast infections or other medical conditions. In order to confirm the diagnosis, a doctor should run a skin prick test with your partner’s semen or sperm.
The test will measure your body’s antibodies against the proteins in the semen. Depending on your reaction, you can be prescribed medications or desensitization shots. In some cases, a severe allergic reaction to sperm can be life-threatening. This is known as post-orgasmic illness syndrome, or POIS. If you are allergic to sperm, it is important to carry an EpiPen of adrenaline and to seek immediate medical attention. This medication can help prevent a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction, which is characterized by swelling of the throat or larynx that obstructs the airways and causes a drop in blood pressure.
Vaginismus
If you’re experiencing pain during sexual intercourse or a pelvic exam, it’s important to discuss it with your doctor. The problem is a common one for women. But it can be difficult to talk about because of the stigma around vaginismus. This is the involuntary tensing or contracting of muscles in and around the vagina, which connects the uterus to the outside of the body. The symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to painful.
The cause of vaginismus isn’t clear, but it may be due to trauma from unwanted sexual advances or assault, infections, injuries from accidents or childbirth, or even a medical procedure like a cesarean section. It can also be caused by mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression. These conditions can lead to negative self-image, which in turn can make you feel anxious about penetrative sex or other sexual activities.
It’s important to note that vaginismus can also cause burning after sex or during sexual intercourse. But it’s not the same as STIs, and it’s usually not something to panic about. If you are suffering from these issues, it’s best to see your gynecologist or sexual counselor for treatment. They can help you treat vaginismus by using a combination of physical therapy and sexual counseling. Medications may also be used to relax the pelvic muscles.
STIs
STIs (also called STDs) are infections that get passed between people during sexual activity. They can include bacteria, parasites or viruses. Some STIs can cause symptoms like burning during or after sex, pain when you pee and irregular periods. If you’re worried about getting an STI, talk to your doctor and encourage your partner to get tested too. Most STIs can be treated and cured with medicine before they cause serious problems.
Gonorrhea and chlamydia are two of the most common STIs that can cause vaginal burning after sex or when you pee. They can also cause a condition called bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is when harmful bacteria enter the vagina and cervix. BV can be caused by many things including having unprotected sex, using a dirty toothbrush or not changing your pad regularly. If you have BV, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to clear it up. They may also recommend using lubrication during sex or masturbation to prevent further infection.
Lack of lubrication
If there is a lack of lubrication, friction may cause pain during intercourse. A person can use lubricants that are free of perfumes and lotions to avoid burning. He or she can also experiment with different positions to find what works best. If a person finds that a particular type of lubricant causes burning, it is a good idea to switch to a new product.
Psychological factors like anxiety or distress about sex and the relationship can also contribute to vaginal pain. These stressors can cause a person to unconsciously tighten the muscles during sexual activity, leading to pain and burning after sex.
