Latest news with #MichaelCarroll
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- Health
- News.com.au
Itching, swelling and burning after sex may be signs of a common allergy
Itchy genitalia, a burning sensation, and feeling breathless are all considered normal after sex. But for a growing number of women, these symptoms could be a sign of seminal plasma hypersensitivity (SPH) — an allergy to semen. While it's considered a rare allergy, it's also underdiagnosed. Michael Carroll, associate professor in reproductive science at Manchester Metropolitan University, explained it isn't triggered by sperm cells, but the fluid that carried the sperm. 'First documented in 1967, when a woman was hospitalised after a 'violent allergic reaction' to sex, SPH is now recognised as a type 1 hypersensitivity, the same category as hay fever, peanut allergy and cat dander,' he said, according to The Sun. Writing for The Conversation, Associate Professor Carroll said symptoms of SPH can range from mild to severe. While some women experience local reactions, such as burning, itching, redness and swelling of the vulva or vagina, others develop full-body symptoms such ashives, wheezing, and even anaphylaxis. He added: 'Until 1977, SPH was thought to affect fewer than 100 women globally. 'But a study led by allergist Jonathan Bernstein found among women reporting post-coital symptoms, nearly 12 per cent could be classified as having probable SPH. 'I conducted a small, unpublished survey in 2013 and found a similar 12 per cent rate. The true figure may be higher still. 'Many cases go unreported, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as STIs, yeast infections, or general 'sensitivity'. 'One revealing clue: symptoms disappear when condoms are used.' The main allergen, according to Carroll, is prostate-specific antigen — a protein produced by cells in the prostate gland. And cross-reactivity is a possibility, for example, f5, a protein found in dog dander, is structurally similar to PSA. So a woman allergic to dogs may also be allergic to semen too. Also, woman may not be the only ones affected, said Carroll. It's possible some men be allergic to their own semen too. A paper published in American Journal of Case Reports described a 22-year-old was consumed by sneezing, watery eyes, stomach cramps, muscle pain and deep fatigue in the hours after climaxing. The condition is known as post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS). While SPH doesn't cause infertility directly, it can complicate conception. Carroll said: 'Avoiding the allergen – usually the most effective treatment for allergies – isn't feasible for couples trying to conceive. Treatments include prophylactic antihistamines (antihistamine medications taken in advance of anticipated exposure to an allergen, or before allergy symptoms are expected to appear to prevent or reduce the severity of allergic reactions), anti-inflammatories and desensitisation using diluted seminal plasma. In more severe cases, couples may choose IVF with washed sperm, bypassing the allergic trigger altogether.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Itching, swelling and burning after sex may be signs of a surprisingly common allergy
Plus, when to call 999 after an allergic reaction LOVE HURTS Itching, swelling and burning after sex may be signs of a surprisingly common allergy Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ITCHY genitals, a burning sensation, and feeling breathless are all considered normal after sex. But for a growing number of women, these symptoms could be a sign of seminal plasma hypersensitivity (SPH) - an allergy to semen. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 A growing number of women could suffer with a semen allergy Credit: Getty While it's considered a rare allergy, it's also underdiagnosed. And Michael Carroll, associate professor in reproductive science at Manchester Metropolitan University, explains it isn't triggered by sperm cells, but the fluid that carried the sperm. He said: "First documented in 1967, when a woman was hospitalised after a 'violent allergic reaction' to sex, SPH is now recognised as a type 1 hypersensitivity, the same category as hay fever, peanut allergy and cat dander." Writing for The Conversation, Carroll says symptoms of SPH can range from mild to severe. Read more on sex A DROUGHT The sex position & tips that will keep you cool whilst you're getting heated While some women experience local reactions, such as burning, itching, redness and swelling of the vulva or vagina, others develop full-body symptoms, like hives, wheezing, and even anaphylaxis. He added: "Until 1977, SPH was thought to affect fewer than 100 women globally. "But a study led by allergist Jonathan Bernstein found among women reporting postcoital symptoms, nearly 12 per cent could be classified as having probable SPH. "I conducted a small, unpublished survey in 2013 and found a similar 12 per cent rate. The true figure may be higher still. "Many cases go unreported, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as STIs, yeast infections, or general 'sensitivity'. "One revealing clue: symptoms disappear when condoms are used." Grand Designs' 'most ambitious project EVER' as parents build incredible allergy-proof 'healthy house' to protect kids The main allergen, according to Carroll, is prostate-specific antigen - a protein produced by cells in the prostate gland. And cross-reactivity is a possibility, for example, f5, a protein found in dog dander, is structurally similar to PSA. So a woman allergic to dogs may also be allergic to semen too. Also, woman may not be the only ones affected, said Carroll. It's possible some men be allergic to their own semen too. A paper published in American Journal of Case Reports described a 22-year-old was consumed by sneezing, watery eyes, stomach cramps, muscle pain and deep fatigue in the hours after climaxing. The condition is known as post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS). While SPH doesn't cause infertility directly, it can complicate conception. Carroll said: "Avoiding the allergen – usually the most effective treatment for allergies – isn't feasible for couples trying to conceive. Treatments include prophylactic antihistamines (antihistamine medications taken in advance of anticipated exposure to an allergen, or before allergy symptoms are expected to appear to prevent or reduce the severity of allergic reactions), anti-inflammatories and desensitisation using diluted seminal plasma. In more severe cases, couples may choose IVF with washed sperm, bypassing the allergic trigger altogether.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Itching, swelling and burning after sex may be signs of a surprisingly common allergy
ITCHY genitals, a burning sensation, and feeling breathless are all considered normal after sex. But for a growing number of women, these symptoms could be a sign of seminal plasma hypersensitivity (SPH) - an allergy to semen. While it's considered a rare allergy, it's also underdiagnosed. And Michael Carroll, associate professor in reproductive science at Manchester Metropolitan University, explains it isn't triggered by sperm cells, but the fluid that carried the sperm. He said: "First documented in 1967, when a woman was hospitalised after a 'violent allergic reaction' to sex, SPH is now recognised as a type 1 hypersensitivity, the same category as hay fever, peanut allergy and cat dander." Writing for The Conversation, Carroll says symptoms of SPH can range from mild to severe. While some women experience local reactions, such as burning, itching, redness and swelling of the vulva or vagina, others develop full-body symptoms, like hives, wheezing, and even anaphylaxis. He added: "Until 1977, SPH was thought to affect fewer than 100 women globally. "But a study led by allergist Jonathan Bernstein found among women reporting postcoital symptoms, nearly 12 per cent could be classified as having probable SPH. "I conducted a small, unpublished survey in 2013 and found a similar 12 per cent rate. The true figure may be higher still. "Many cases go unreported, misdiagnosed, or dismissed as STIs, yeast infections, or general 'sensitivity'. "One revealing clue: symptoms disappear when condoms are used." Grand Designs' 'most ambitious project EVER' as parents build incredible allergy-proof 'healthy house' to protect kids The main allergen, according to Carroll, is prostate-specific antigen - a protein produced by cells in the prostate gland. And cross-reactivity is a possibility, for example, f5, a protein found in dog dander, is structurally similar to PSA. So a woman allergic to dogs may also be allergic to semen too. Also, woman may not be the only ones affected, said Carroll. It's possible some men be allergic to their own semen too. A paper published in American Journal of Case Reports described a 22-year-old was consumed by sneezing, watery eyes, stomach cramps, muscle pain and deep fatigue in the hours after climaxing. The condition is known as post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS). While SPH doesn't cause infertility directly, it can complicate conception. Carroll said: "Avoiding the allergen – usually the most effective treatment for allergies – isn't feasible for couples trying to conceive. Treatments include prophylactic antihistamines (antihistamine medications taken in advance of anticipated exposure to an allergen, or before allergy symptoms are expected to appear to prevent or reduce the severity of allergic reactions), anti-inflammatories and desensitisation using diluted seminal plasma. In more severe cases, couples may choose IVF with washed sperm, bypassing the allergic trigger altogether. When to call 999 after an allergic reaction Call 999 if: your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air) your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet) you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy someone faints and cannot be woken up a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face) You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised or itchy. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Irish Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
What could you buy for €250m? From a private island to a famous footballer
Ireland has a newest millionaire after Tuesday night's life changing EuroMillions win, the largest in Irish history. One lucky player managed to scoop up €250 million, putting them into the same league as some of Ireland's wealthiest people, affording them the opportunity to purchase some of the most lavish luxury items in the world. When Limerick's Dolores McNamara snapped her €115 million EuroMillions win, she kept a mainly quiet life, but did purchase a lot of property - for herself and her family. On the other hand, UK Lotto winner Michael Carroll won millions in 2002, but lost it all years later. What could Ireland's newest millionaire do with €250 million? Quite a lot. You could purchase a castle, a private island, a super yacht, even a football team. We put together a list of some of the top items the lucky winner can make their own. There are a considerable number of islands up for sale in Ireland, and around the world, the Tuesday night's EuroMillions player could purchase if they fancied. The lucky winner would be able to buy up a number of islands in the Bahamas or South Pacific, with a price tag ranging from €38 million right up to €160 million for an island off the coast of Thailand. But if they wanted to stay close to home, Shore Island off Galway would only set them back just over €1 million. Now if one decided to purchase one of these south pacific islands, they might need to leave some spare change to get a private jet or a super yacht to ensure they can get there with no stress. What says high society more than a private collection of some of the finest works of art? With €250 million in the bank one could theoretically afford to purchase some of the most expensive works that have ever gone to auction. While some are understandably still out of the price range of someone with a few hundred million, French post-impressionist painter Paul Cézanne's The Card Players, bought by the oil rich nation of Qatar back in 2011, cost around €250 million at the time - one of the most expensive paintings ever sold at auction. Now if Qatar doesn't want to sell it back at the original price, our lucky EuroMillions winner could still pick up Paul Gauguin's Nafea Faa Ipoipo (When Will You Marry?), worth around €242,565,455, or Rembrandt's Pendant portraits of Maerten Soolmans and Oopjen Coppit for around €207,789,046. With the €250 million in the bank, the sky is the limit, well in 2025 it isn't really anymore. With hundreds of millions in your pocket, some of the world's most expensive super yachts are attainable. The Rising Sun superyacht, built in 2004, is valued at around €173 million, and sports a wine cellar and basketball court on board. With a bit of a price tag of just over €4 million dollars the Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita could be yours, and with most top range sports cars fitting in this bracket, a whole fleet is on the cards. If you wanted to purchase a private jet, say a VIP airliner like a Boeing, this would cost just over €100 million, but a smaller one would only run you up to €7 million, so the choice is yours (if you are the lucky winner that is.) You could also broach the final frontier and head to space via a SpaceX Dragon capsule, which costs around $60.8 million per seat. €250 million bucks can get you a hell of a lot, or very little, in the football world. If you wanted to splash it all out on one player, Spanish teenager Lamine Yamal, who plays for FC Barcelona, will set you back the most, €200 million, according to Transfermarkt - although his release fee could be much higher. If that is just too much for one player, splashing out just over €220 million could get you both Julian Alvarez and Declan Rice. You could also buy a small fixe-upper club and bolster it with a few smaller fry players, following the footsteps of US actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, who splashed out just €2.5 million for the then failing Welsh football club Wrexham AFC. With €250 million under the belt, it seems like a stunning chateaux, castle or mansion is a necessary purchase, or if modern luxury is your thing - a multi-million dollar New York or London apartment. A stunning French countryside chateaux will set you back around €5 million, although the most expensive 36 room spot is on the market for €53 million. If a modern pad is more your vibe, a central New York apartment can set you back around €22 million, so both are an option if you want to jet between your French villa and premium New York living space. If you wanted to stay closer to home, the most expensive house sold in Ireland last year was Ballynatray House in Youghal, Cork, which hit the market for a whopping €29.25 million.
New York Times
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Edmund White, Pioneer of Gay Literature, Is Dead at 85
Edmund White, who mined his own life story, including his vast and varied catalog of sexual experiences, in more than 30 books of fiction and nonfiction and hundreds of articles and essays, becoming a grandee of the New York literary world for more than half a century, died on Tuesday at his home in Manhattan. He was 85. His death was confirmed by his husband, Michael Carroll, who said Mr. White had collapsed while weakened by 'a vicious stomach bug.' The precise cause of death is unknown. Mr. White had been H.I.V. positive since the 1980s and survived two major strokes in 2012 and a heart attack in 2014. Mr. White's output was almost equally divided between fiction and nonfiction. Many of his books were critical successes, and several were best-sellers. The Chicago Tribune labeled him 'the godfather of queer lit.' He was a star almost from the beginning. The New York Times called 'Forgetting Elena' (1973), about the rituals of gay life on a fictionalized Fire Island, 'an astonishing first novel, obsessively fussy, and yet uncannily beautiful.' His second novel, 'Nocturnes for the King of Naples' (1978), took the form of letters from a young gay man to his deceased ex-lover. 'A Boy's Own Story' (1982), a tale of coming out set in the 1950s, was narrated by a teenager who bore more than a passing resemblance to a young Mr. White. His other semi-autobiographical novels, 'The Beautiful Room Is Empty' (1988) and 'The Farewell Symphony' (1997), follow the same unnamed protagonist into adulthood during the 1960s, then through the horrors of AIDS as he approaches middle age. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
