In a brave disclosure, a 34-year-old woman has shared her ongoing battle with a rare condition that has profoundly impacted her intimate life and raised concerns about her ability to conceive. Diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome at the age of 24, a condition affecting connective tissues, her struggles deepened as she discovered an unexpected allergy to both semen and condoms.

Seminal plasma hypersensitivity, as her allergy is known, is an exceedingly rare allergic reaction to proteins found in male spermatic fluid. For this woman, contact with semen causes a burning sensation, rendering sexual intercourse painful and uncomfortable. Despite her yearning for intimacy, the distressing pain she endures has made it challenging for her to fully enjoy such encounters.

Her ordeal is compounded by her partner’s concern, as even the use of condoms exacerbates the issue due to her allergy to the materials in condoms. This dual allergy has severely limited their intimacy, prompting her to lament, “It’s really hard. I don’t want to burn, and my partner doesn’t want to make me cry.”

The couple’s desire to start a family has also been cast into doubt by her condition. While they have discussed the possibility, uncertainties linger regarding the feasibility of conception amidst her allergies and a concurrent blood clotting disorder, which could pose risks during pregnancy.

Despite these daunting challenges, the woman remains resolute and hopeful, actively exploring options with her medical team. She expressed the significance of having the choice to pursue parenthood, stating, “If having a baby wasn’t an option, it would be pretty heartbreaking. At least, if I had the choice, it would make me feel better.”