Successful pregnancy by insemination of spermatozoa in a woman with a human seminal plasma allergy: should in vitro fertilization be considered first?

OBJECTIVE

To raise the possibility that pregnancy can be obtained by assisted reproductive techniques in patients with human seminal plasma allergy.

DESIGN

Case report.

SETTING

University hospital.

PATIENT(S): A woman consulted for a 3-year primary infertility. She reported lack of intercourse because of a seminal plasma allergy.

INTERVENTION(S): One intrauterine insemination associated with antihistamine treatment was performed with carefully washed spermatozoa.

RESULT(S): Immediately after the insemination, the patient had an allergic reaction treated by steroids. Fortunately, this single attempt led to a successful pregnancy, and the patient gave birth to a healthy girl.

CONCLUSION(S): Pregnancies can be obtained in patients with seminal plasma hypersensitivity by means of intrauterine insemination. However, serious complications may occur after performing intrauterine insemination, which is not a totally reliable method to prevent an allergic reaction. Thus a multidisciplinary team should follow such patients carefully and watch for the potential risks and side effects. In vitro fertilization may represent the more cautious option.