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What Causes Itching After Sex?
Question: My boyfriend complains of itching for several days after sex. We always shower beforehand ad afterwards. He wears a condom as I was diagnosed with HPV last year. My gynecologist can't find any reason for him to itch. I am the only person he has had this reaction with.im
Brief Answer:
Kindly elaborate certain important points.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for the itching in your boyfriend after sex. In view to help to you better, I request you to kindly elaborate certain points:
- How long your boyfriend complains of the itching? Is it right through beginning of your relationship or recently?
- Is it after unprotected sex or after use of condoms?
- Is there any redness or bumps you see after sex or during the course of itching?
- Does the itching subside by its own or after the use of any medications?
- Age of your boyfriend. Is your boyfriend circumcised or uncircumcised?
Hope to hear soon from your side.
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology & Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
Kindly elaborate certain important points.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for the itching in your boyfriend after sex. In view to help to you better, I request you to kindly elaborate certain points:
- How long your boyfriend complains of the itching? Is it right through beginning of your relationship or recently?
- Is it after unprotected sex or after use of condoms?
- Is there any redness or bumps you see after sex or during the course of itching?
- Does the itching subside by its own or after the use of any medications?
- Age of your boyfriend. Is your boyfriend circumcised or uncircumcised?
Hope to hear soon from your side.
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology & Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
The itching has been from the start of the relationship which is over a year now.
We always use a condom due to my being HPV positive. (I am currently testing negative, but we were advised to continue protection for another year to ensure that I have cleared the virus).
There is no redness, bumps or visible rash
The itching lasts for approximately 3 days and then disappears on its own. The penis, scrotum and surrounding skin also itch. No lotions or creams have been used.
We do use a lubricant called Astroglide during sex. The condoms are latex (Trojan brand). He said he has never had issues with latex allergies and uses latex gloves at work without a problem.
He is 53 and has been circumcised.
We always use a condom due to my being HPV positive. (I am currently testing negative, but we were advised to continue protection for another year to ensure that I have cleared the virus).
There is no redness, bumps or visible rash
The itching lasts for approximately 3 days and then disappears on its own. The penis, scrotum and surrounding skin also itch. No lotions or creams have been used.
We do use a lubricant called Astroglide during sex. The condoms are latex (Trojan brand). He said he has never had issues with latex allergies and uses latex gloves at work without a problem.
He is 53 and has been circumcised.
Brief Answer:
"Urticarial pruritus" due to rubbing & friction: suggestions and guidance.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome again to the forum and thanks for your swift response along with all the details.
After analyzing the complete situation it appears that your boyfriend has simple "Urticarial pruritus"due to rubbing & friction.
To tell you elaborately regarding the condition: Our blood contains multiple type cells including red blood cells and white blood cells. Specifically these white blood cells provide immunity to our body which are of further multiple types.
Whenever anything in body is not suitable or offending to body then the number of white blood cells increases transiently. Particularly these cells which increase are eosinophils and basophils which are also known as mast cells. These cells contain granules which have a specific chemical known as histamine.
So as soon as any offending factors come in contact there is bursting of the mast cells. Therefore this histamine is released and we experience variable degree of itching at the affected area.
Now the type of offending factor are innumerable and variable form person to person. In your boyfriend it is the friction during the intercourse. It is very simple but rare form of problem which we see in our day to day practice.
In my patients with such kind of problem I suggest them to be gentle during the intercourse. As rubbing and friction causes more aggravation so it is always better to avoid rough sex.
If at all despite doing gentle sex also one gets itching then I prescribe an antihistamine tablet such as Loratadine or Des-loratadine two times on the day of sex and then two days after that. This reduces the intensity and propensity of itching by blocking the histamine release and is very safe tablet.
I reassure you fully that your boyfriend has simple problem and can be managed easily with above measure.
I hope the above information will help you. If you have further queries I will be happy to help.
"Wish you good health"
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology & Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
"Urticarial pruritus" due to rubbing & friction: suggestions and guidance.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome again to the forum and thanks for your swift response along with all the details.
After analyzing the complete situation it appears that your boyfriend has simple "Urticarial pruritus"due to rubbing & friction.
To tell you elaborately regarding the condition: Our blood contains multiple type cells including red blood cells and white blood cells. Specifically these white blood cells provide immunity to our body which are of further multiple types.
Whenever anything in body is not suitable or offending to body then the number of white blood cells increases transiently. Particularly these cells which increase are eosinophils and basophils which are also known as mast cells. These cells contain granules which have a specific chemical known as histamine.
So as soon as any offending factors come in contact there is bursting of the mast cells. Therefore this histamine is released and we experience variable degree of itching at the affected area.
Now the type of offending factor are innumerable and variable form person to person. In your boyfriend it is the friction during the intercourse. It is very simple but rare form of problem which we see in our day to day practice.
In my patients with such kind of problem I suggest them to be gentle during the intercourse. As rubbing and friction causes more aggravation so it is always better to avoid rough sex.
If at all despite doing gentle sex also one gets itching then I prescribe an antihistamine tablet such as Loratadine or Des-loratadine two times on the day of sex and then two days after that. This reduces the intensity and propensity of itching by blocking the histamine release and is very safe tablet.
I reassure you fully that your boyfriend has simple problem and can be managed easily with above measure.
I hope the above information will help you. If you have further queries I will be happy to help.
"Wish you good health"
Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology & Sexually Transmitted Diseases)
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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