Testing and Diagnosis - Find An Allergist Today | ACAAI Patient
Embarrassing Question: Can I Be Allergic To Semen?
It has been reported.But it's really kind of rare.
Why are you blaming the semen anyway?
Condoms might be the troublemaker.
Now, I don't mean to be bashing condoms.
They're great.
Use them.
That's awesome.
But some people are a little sensitive to the latex.
And it can cause some problems-- if it's even an allergy.
You know, if you've got itching down there after sex, it could be an infection.
You know what I'm going to say next, right?
You need to call your doctor.
Don't be shy.
They see this stuff all the time, I promise.
Sex is supposed to be fun, not itchy.
So if you've got something going on down there, go and get it checked out.
Don't wait.
Get it fixed, so you can get back to the fun stuff.
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SPEAKER
It has been reported.But it's really kind of rare.
Why are you blaming the semen anyway?
Condoms might be the troublemaker.
Now, I don't mean to be bashing condoms.
They're great.
Use them.
That's awesome.
But some people are a little sensitive to the latex.
And it can cause some problems-- if it's even an allergy.
You know, if you've got itching down there after sex, it could be an infection.
You know what I'm going to say next, right?
You need to call your doctor.
Don't be shy.
They see this stuff all the time, I promise.
Sex is supposed to be fun, not itchy.
So if you've got something going on down there, go and get it checked out.
Don't wait.
Get it fixed, so you can get back to the fun stuff.
6 Reasons Why Your Vagina Gets Itchy After Sex, According To Gynecologists
Is an itchy vagina spoiling your post-sex bliss?
The vagina and vulva are very sensitive, so many things can irritate the delicate area. Causes can range from dryness to external irritants to infections.
Here are six causes of an itchy vagina after sex and how to treat each of them.
1. Vaginal drynessThe vagina is meant to be moist, and during sexual arousal, vaginas can produce their own lubrication. However, some people may not produce enough natural lubrication, or menopause may affect your ability to stay lubricated.
"Vaginal dryness makes intercourse uncomfortable, and can lead to discomfort and irritation after sex, too," says Dr. Celeste A. Green, an OB-GYN at Baylor College of Medicine. On top of itchiness and irritation, you may also experience redness and soreness of the vagina and labia, Green says.
How to treat it: The key is to use generous amounts of lubricant when you're having sex, Green says. This will help sex feel better and prevent dryness-related irritation during and after. If you're using condoms, make sure you use water or silicon-based lubes, since oil-based lubes can potentially cause the condom to get damaged or break, says Green.
However, it's possible you might need something more than lube during sex. "If your vaginal dryness is not responsive to these types of lubrication, talk to your doctor about vaginal estrogen cream," says Green.
Best lubes for sex Uberlube; Woo; Maude; Good Clean Love; Rachel Mendelson/InsiderUsing lube during intercourse can help mitigate the effects of vaginal dryness and also increase pleasure in the experience. Here are the best lubes that we've tested:
2. Latex allergyIf you use latex condoms with your partner and are experiencing itchiness, it's possible you have a latex allergy.
"Itching, redness, or a rash in the vaginal region can all occur due to a latex allergy," says Dr. Maria Sophocles, an OB-GYN and the medical director of Women's Healthcare of Princeton.
How to treat it: To combat itchiness and irritation, you can try applying an over-the-counter hydrocortisone 1% cream to the external area, Sophocles says. You may also take an oral antihistamine. If this isn't enough to stop the itch, contact your doctor for a stronger prescription.
Then, make sure to use latex-free condoms every time you have sex. Your other options are:
Vulvar dermatitis refers to when the skin of the vulva becomes inflamed and irritated due to exposure to an external irritant.
Green says if you're using certain substances during sex — like dyed, scented, or flavored lubricants — this can lead to itching, irritation, and potentially a rash on the vulva.
Other potential triggers are:
How to treat it: To relieve inflammation, irritation, and rash, use a mild steroid ointment on the skin, Green says.
You also want to make sure you avoid whatever triggered the dermatitis in the first place, and take good, gentle care of your vulva as it heals. Green suggests:
Yeast infections due to an overgrowth of Candida fungus can cause itchiness, irritation, and even a burning feeling during or after sex, says Sophocles. Other yeast infection symptoms include:
Having sex with any kind of vaginal infection can make symptoms worse, Sophocles says. So if you have sex while you have a yeast infection, you can further irritate yourself and feel symptoms intensify during or after sex. How to treat it: First off, you should avoid having sex until the infection is under control to have sex, Sophocles says. To treat the infection, you can use over-the-counter antifungal topical medications that you can apply internally or externally.
"If the yeast infection doesn't improve with OTC meds, a clinician can prescribe prescription-strength creams or pills," Sophocles says.
5. Bacterial vaginosis (BV)Green says some people experience BV after intercourse because the vagina's typical acidity, or pH, can get thrown off after sex, resulting in an environment where Gardnerella bacteria can overgrow, leading to BV.
"Patients will notice an increase in grayish, fishy-smelling vaginal discharge, and many often report itching as well," Green says.
How to treat it: Prescription medications treat bacterial overgrowth associated with BV. Green says one of the most commonly prescribed meds is an antibiotic called metronidazole which is available as oral medication or inserted into the vagina. Other treatment options are meds such as:
Oftentimes, STIs do not cause any symptoms. However, in people who do get symptoms, itchiness can be one of them — and having sex while having an STI can make symptoms like inflammation and itchiness much worse, Sophocles says.
Some examples of STIs that could potentially cause itching along with other symptoms include:
Chlamydia:
Trichomoniasis:
Genital herpes/herpes simplex virus (HSV):
Human papillomavirus (HPV) genital warts:
How to treat it: Treatment depends on the exact STI you have, but in many cases, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Consult with a clinician and get tested to determine what medication you need. Get tested regularly, especially if you're practicing unsafe sex by having unprotected sex or having multiple or high-risk partners, Sophocles says.
If you have an STD, make sure to tell your partner or partners so they can get tested and treated, too.
Insider's takeawayAn itchy vagina after sex can have many causes, ranging from dryness to an external irritant to an STI.
Regardless of the cause of your itchiness, make sure to wait until your vagina is healed up before having sex again to avoid even further irritation.
If the itchiness is persistent and accompanied by other symptoms and you think it could be an infection, see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
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