Sporting a red penis can be a cause of pride or concern. When a man’s penis health is good, his erect penis often has a red hue due to the blood that rushes in and fills the organ. But sometimes a red penis is due to a rash, an allergy, or any number of other causes. One of the more mysterious and unusual (and thankfully rare) causes? An allergy to his own semen. And what’s worse, that allergy may produce more than just a red penis.
Semen allergy
It has been known for some time that some women may be allergic to a man’s semen (or, more accurately, to the semen of a specific man or men). For such women, when a man ejaculates into their vagina or onto or into other parts of the body, they can develop a rash or itchiness. Burning and swelling is not uncommon; in some cases, a woman may break out in hives or even develop problems with breathing. It can become quite serious.
POIS
However, information on semen allergy in men is more limited. It was first described in 2002 and given the name post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS). As with women, the expulsion of semen from the penis in men with POIS may result in an irritated, red penis or in a penis rash. Itching is not uncommon, and swelling is also a factor for some men.
However, men with POIS are also likely to develop symptoms and issues that go beyond the penile area. A flu-like condition is frequently found post-ejaculation in men with POIS. Their eyes may get red and itchy, their nose is likely to run, and sneezing may ensue. In addition, they tend to get feverish and experience a significant level of fatigue – bed rest is often called for.
For most men with POIS, the reactions can occur whether ejaculation is achieved through masturbation or through partner sex.
Protein
In most cases, it appears the allergic reaction is due to a protein found in semen to which the body develops an autoimmune response. But it’s interesting to note that men with this reaction do not necessarily have it their whole lives.
For example, a guy may masturbate quite happily as a teenager and enjoy many forms of partner sex before developing POIS. It can occur early on in the teen years or not show up until much later in life.
What is perhaps even more interesting is that the allergic reaction only occurs after semen has been ejaculated. While the semen is stored in the body, or if a man experiences sex without ejaculating, there is no reaction to the presence of the semen.
Treatment
Since the exact cause of the response is unknown, treating a semen allergy can be difficult. One course of treatment that has proven effective for many men is building immunity to it. This typically occurs by having a doctor inject a diluted form of semen into the body over a lengthy period of time. As the process goes along, the semen becomes less diluted.
Other doctors recommend using anti-inflammatories (as prescribed by an allergy specialist) before and/or after sex to possibly reduce the development of post-ejaculatory symptoms.
A semen allergy is not the only cause of a red penis, of course. When that redness is accompanied by irritation or dryness, use of a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) may be appropriate. A man should inspect the ingredients list on any crème he considers and make sure it contains potent moisturizing ingredients to soothe the skin. Shea butter (a high-end emollient) and vitamin E (a natural hydrator) are ideal and work together to form a moisture lock. Thinning penile skin can also make the red penis more painful, so find a crème that includes alpha lipoic acid. This antioxidant fights the free radicals that can cause penis skin to grow thin.