A man seeking relief from chronic back pain ended up facing serious consequences after resorting to an unorthodox method for pain relief.
Chronic back pain is known for being extremely debilitating, often driving sufferers to explore various remedies for relief.
However, stepping away from professional medical advice can lead to severe outcomes, as demonstrated by the experience of an Irishman who learned this lesson the hard way.
In 2019, reports emerged about a 33-year-old man who visited a hospital due to ‘severe, sudden onset lower back pain’ triggered by moving a heavy steel object days before his hospital visit.
While examining him, doctors noticed his arm was red and swollen, prompting them to inquire about it.
It was then revealed that the back pain was not new and that he had been injecting himself with semen for 18 months as a supposed ‘cure’ for his persistent pain, all without seeking medical advice.
According to ABC News, the individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, had purchased a hypodermic needle online for his injections and had recently administered three ‘doses’ at once before his hospital visit.
An X-ray revealed that he had subcutaneous emphysema and a buildup of semen in his muscle, necessitating urgent antibacterial treatment.
Subcutaneous emphysema, as described by Cleveland Clinic, is ‘a rare condition that happens when air gets trapped under your skin’.
Once the man’s back pain improved, he chose to discharge himself from the hospital before having his arm treated.
A detailed report on the incident was later published in the Irish Medical Journal (IMJ). Dr. Lisa Dunne, the lead author, wrote: “Upon further interrogation of this alternative therapy, he revealed he had injected one monthly ‘dose’ of semen for 18 consecutive months using a hypodermic needle which had been purchased online.”
This case marked the first documented occurrence of human semen injection. Although it has been used in some animal studies, it was unprecedented in humans.
“Although there is a report of the effects of subcutaneous semen injection into rats and rabbits, there were no cases of intravenous semen injection into humans found across the literature,” the report stated.
“A search of more eclectic internet sites and forums found no other documentation of semen injection for back pain treatment or other uses.”
The IMJ report issued a strong warning against attempting the man’s unconventional method at home.
“The dangers of venepuncture when carried out by the untrained layperson are highlighted as well as the vascular and soft tissue hazards surrounding the attempted injection of substances not intended for intravenous use,” it read.
“The case also demonstrates the risks involved with medical experimentation prior to extensive clinical research in the form of phased trials inclusive of safety and efficacy assessments.”