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Allergy and Sexual Behaviours: an Update

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Abstract

The exact prevalence of hypersensitivity reactions related to sexual behaviours is not known; however, they heavily impact on the quality of life and of sex life of affected patients. In fact, not only common respiratory and skin allergies, such as asthma, rhinitis, urticaria and atopic dermatitis, but also food and drug allergy have been found to negatively affect the quality of sex life. Allergic diseases impact on the sexual function in both physical and psychological ways, representing one of the main complaints of a considerable proportion of patients. Sexual behaviours may act as the triggers of allergic reactions or as the carriers of allergens. Food and drug allergens can be carried through human organic fluids, like saliva and semen. Latex in condoms and numerous substances in lubricants, spermicides, topical medications and cosmetics can cause allergic reactions or contact dermatitis. Sexual activity itself is also a potential trigger of symptoms in patients affected by respiratory allergies, like honeymoon asthma and rhinitis. In seminal plasma hypersensitivity, seminal fluid proteins are the culprit allergens. The present review aims at summarizing the state of the art about allergy and sexual behaviours. In clinical practice, the influence of common allergic diseases on the sexual quality of life should be taken carefully into account. Sexual behaviours need to be accounted in the differential diagnosis of hypersensitivity reactions, and awareness on those exposure routes should be raised between different specialists and general practitioners.

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Author notes

  1. Veronica Giorgis, Boaz Palterer and Francesca Racca contributed equally to this work

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Allergy Unit and Asthma Center, Verona University and General Hospital, Verona, Italy

    Marco Caminati

  2. SSDDU Allergologia e Immunologia Clinica, Department of Medical Sciences, AO Ordine Mauriziano “Umberto I”, University of Turin, Corso Re Umberto 109, 10128, Torino, Italy

    Veronica Giorgis

  3. Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy

    Boaz Palterer

  4. Personalized Medicine Clinic Asthma and Allergy, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Department of Biomedical Science, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milan, Italy

    Francesca Racca

  5. Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Piazzale Golgi, 19, 27100, Pavia, Italy

    Chiara Salvottini

  6. Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Immunoallergology and Respiratory Diseases, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Oliviero Rossi

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  1. Marco Caminati
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Correspondence to Veronica Giorgis.

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Caminati, M., Giorgis, V., Palterer, B. et al. Allergy and Sexual Behaviours: an Update. Clinic Rev Allerg Immunol 56, 269–277 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12016-017-8618-3

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