VERIFIED CONTENTConsultation: dr Tadeusz Oleszczuk, gynecologist-obstetrician
We encounter allergies more and more often. Do people get sick more? Or maybe thanks to the development of medicine we detect them more effectively? We asked Dr. Tadeusz Oleszczuk, an expert, to find out where allergies come from and what are the characteristics of latex and semen allergy.
Patrycja Pupiec: What causes allergies?
Taduesz Oleszczuk:There are many factors, and the intensity of allergic reactions around the world has been increasing significantly for several decades. Depending on the state of our immune system, what we eat, it largely contributes to the appearance of allergies. As a doctor, I have my own observations - we are most affected by the phenomenon of chemicalisation of our life, i.e. pesticides and chemicals that are added to the products we eat or apply to the body surface.
This means?
The vast majority of agents that we use today, with which we lubricate, are not known in nature, because such mixtures of chemical compositions have never been used before. Over the past 60 years, there has been a noticeable decrease in the incidence of infectious diseases, while a very strong increase in allergies and cancer has been recorded. The problem is also the deterioration of the quality of the sperm.
Most men in their 30s do not meet the standards, which contributes to problems getting pregnant. Why? Because their diet contains more and more sugar, chemical additives, and pesticide residues used in crops. This increases the risk of infertility. Sperm is formed on an ongoing basis, so it is most exposed to toxic factors and the environment in which a man lives.
Why is this happening?
More and more babies are born with caesarean section. Reluctance or difficulties with breastfeeding additionally weakens the human immune system from the first days of life. Over time, the drugs used are also added, and this immune system is disturbed and begins to "eat" its own tissues, treating them as a foreign protein. Multiple sclerosis and thyroiditis are examples of diseases that arise when the immune system works against the host.
Pesticide residues should not be ineating, because they kill the good bacteria that determine our immunity. In the intestines, it is formed in 80 percent. our immunity based on what we eat, so the child should be breastfed for up to 2 years, because during this time the intestinal microflora is formed for his future life. Its diversity is decisive.
What causes semen allergy?
In the case of semen allergy the same is true - the body treats a foreign sperm protein like an unknown bacterium, but the allergy actually starts throughout the immune system.
I have found out that more than half of the women, i.e. about 60%, diagnosed with sperm allergy, are 20- and 30-year-olds. Why? Does age matter?
The problem starts with younger and younger girls. The older ones do not report it often because they already have children or are not interested in having them. A woman who wants to become pregnant usually prepares for pregnancy and does some research. Especially when during a year of regular unprotected intercourse to get pregnant, pregnancy is not achieved.
How can allergies to severity be diagnosed?
Sperm motility is assessed in the collected drop of cervical mucus within a few hours after intercourse in the fertile period. When allergic to semen, a woman's immune system treats the foreign protein as an "unknown bacterium," but the allergy actually begins with the entire immune system. The problem is complex. These and other tests are performed by specialized fertility treatment centers. Serological blood tests are helpful in the diagnosis.
What is the effect of a semen allergy on getting pregnant? Does it make them difficult?
Of course, it can make it difficult to get pregnant. If a woman has high levels of antibodies, it may become inflamed and this will definitely hinder the path to pregnancy. Appropriate examination and treatment will be offered in specialized centers.
The man may also be allergic to his semen, right?
Yes. There have even been plans to use this mechanism as male contraception. The problem of allergy to the proteins of your own sperm is rare, but it should be taken into account.
What are the symptoms of an allergy to condoms in women?
This is a big problem because sensitization triggers inflammation and can lead to infection-like symptoms. In women, the main symptoms are itching and pain. If you see a doctor and he doesn't ask if the symptoms they are talking about are related to the use of a condom, they will likely starttreat the infection and to do so, he or she will prescribe the appropriate medications.
This will not help with allergy, because these preparations have anti-swelling and anti-inflammatory properties, so they will eliminate symptoms such as burning and itching, but not allergy. One way to eliminate the symptoms of semen allergy is to use condoms, but if you develop a latex allergy, things get more complicated.
Do you need to stop the product completely?
Yes, because the treatment and the fight against allergy consists primarily in eliminating this factor that causes allergic reactions. This is the case with any allergy, from being allergic to a specific food, to shower gel, washing powder, and ending with condoms. When it comes to condoms, the composition of the material from which they are made matters.
It is the producers who decide what to add. The most diverse product compositions are found in Asian countries. The European ones are better studied, but if an allergy occurs, this particular contraceptive has to be ruled out. Relieving the symptoms of an allergy is not enough.
You mean just choose products from other manufacturers?
Yes. There are many producers in the world, and those made in Poland are really good. We need to exclude condoms, the composition of which made us feel, and try different ones. Unfortunately, if we are allergic to latex, the problem will be bigger, because condoms are made of it.
What are the symptoms of condom allergies in men?
Similar to women - swelling, pain, redness, burning, which are typical symptoms that cause discomfort.
How to distinguish an allergy from an infection if the symptoms are so similar?
In the infection you can notice or rather smell an unpleasant smell caused by the action of bacteria. There will also be discharge from infection, which can be green, frothy, beige, yellow, cream, or watery. In case of infection, you can make a culture and microscopic examination of the smear. The infection will continue to vary in severity over time, and the allergy is usually directly related to exposure to the allergen.
Is it possible to use over-the-counter drugs in a pharmacy when allergic symptoms are noticed, or is it better to go to a specialist immediately?
It depends on the individual observation. If, say, with the same partner, we have been there for a long time and redness appears for the first time, this burning sensation, you can try to take anti-inflammatory preparations available at the pharmacy without a prescription. On the other hand, if every now and then, let's say every two or three months, the problem arises, then it will not be possible without visitingspecialist.
Speaking of, some vaginal infections actually start in the gut, where the microflora is destroyed by eating sweets or sweet fruit, thinking they are he althy. Not only does your risk of diabetes increase, but high sugar levels will promote this bad environment, so as long as you do not change your diet, fungal infections will keep coming and going.
What can an untreated allergy lead to?
For the degradation of the immune system. Untreated allergies weaken the immune system, exhaust it and lead to increased inflammation, spreading to other organs, causing a variety of symptoms. If you have a food allergy, you often get symptoms on your skin. Most of all, however, we observe symptoms of abdominal ailments, such as flatulence, constipation or diarrhea.
How often do you encounter sperm and condom allergies in your practice?
I rarely and immediately refer such a patient to infertility treatment centers due to the fact that it is a large diagnostic field. You can benefit from the achievements of assisted reproductive medicine. For my part, however, I exclude digestive, thyroid and other hormonal disorders. I also pay attention to the level of anti-thyroid antibodies.
Diet has the greatest and simplest effect on the immune system, but you have to remember that each sex must take care of itself. The man for the quality of sperm, and the woman for the hormonal balance and proper blood test results.
Can a radical change of lifestyle improve something?
Yes, of course. Physical activity, stress reduction, adequate sleep quality and the predominance of organic food in the daily diet are important. You can take advantage of appropriate supplements that have been proven to benefit pregnancy.
How long does it take to notice an improvement?
After 2-3 months, because during this time the condition of the intestines will improve. You have to be consistent in this. Diet will always be the basis, whatever we start from, the same path will always lead us to what we eat.
gynecologist-obstetrician Tadeusz OleszczukGynecologist-obstetrician with over 30 years of experience. Author of the books "What the gynecologist will not tell you" and "Calm your hormones".
www.tadeuszoleszczuk.pl
fb.com / drtadeusz
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- A woman must be he althy before starting contraception
- How to take care of intimate hygiene to avoid infections?
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