Abstract
Post orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a newly described syndrome. Manifestations of this syndrome may be physical, cognitive or both. Many theories have been proposed to explain the causes of this syndrome including allergy to seminal components, allergy to unknown proteins released during ejaculation or a psychosomatic etiology. We present a case of POIS with a manifestation of atopy that may be consistent with the allergy hypothesis.
Highlights
Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) was first reported and named by Waldinger and Schweitzer in 20021.This recently described syndrome may be more prevalent than one might expect, but has not received much attention and, we think, many cases may be misdiagnosed.To the best of our knowledge, aside from two cases reported by Waldinger and Schweitzer1, two by Ashby and Goldmeier2, and one each by Dean, Mullhal and Ashworth, and the self reported cases on the site of the Naked Scientist’s discussion forum, no more scientific discussion on POIS exists in textbooks, medical journals, or scientific meetings or congresses.POIS appears to be principally a male orgasmic disorder, as most of the reported cases are males
Its manifestations start within seconds after orgasm and may continue for 4–7 days. These manifestations differ in their severities but, in most cases they are severe enough to make the patient abstain from the sexual activities; especially ejaculation and orgasm
The patient reported that these manifestations started early with puberty and increased in severity with age and occur with all orgasms whatever the type of sexual activity; night emission, masturbation or vaginal ejaculation
Summary
Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) was first reported and named by Waldinger and Schweitzer in 20021.This recently described syndrome may be more prevalent than one might expect, but has not received much attention and, we think, many cases may be misdiagnosed. Its manifestations start within seconds after orgasm and may continue for 4–7 days These manifestations differ in their severities but, in most cases they are severe enough to make the patient abstain from the sexual activities; especially ejaculation and orgasm. The patient reported that these manifestations started early with puberty and increased in severity with age and occur with all orgasms whatever the type of sexual activity; night emission, masturbation or vaginal ejaculation. These manifestations are so severe that during the first 2 days post-orgasm he can’t go to work, though they gradually fade and disappear by the 5th day. A selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (escitalopram 10 mg daily at bedtime for 3 months) was tried with no benefit
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