Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome: A Review

A clinical guide to rare male sexual disorders

Conditions referred to as 'male sexual dysfunctions' usually include erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory disorders and male hypogonadism. However, some less common male sexual disorders exist, which are under-recognized and under-treated, leading to considerable morbidity, with adverse effects on individuals' sexual health and relationships. Such conditions include post-finasteride syndrome, restless genital syndrome, post-orgasmic illness syndrome, post-selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) sexual dysfunction, hard-flaccid syndrome, sleep-related painful erections and post-retinoid sexual dysfunction. Information about these disorders usually originates from case-control trials or small case series; thus, the published literature is scarce. As the aetiology of these diseases has not been fully elucidated, the optimal investigational work-up and therapy are not well defined, and the available options cannot, therefore, adequately address patients' sexual problems and implement appropriate treatment. Thus, larger-scale studies - including prospective trials and comprehensive case registries - are crucial to better understand the aetiology, prevalence and clinical characteristics of these conditions. Furthermore, collaborative efforts among researchers, health-care professionals and patient advocacy groups will be essential in order to develop evidence-based guidelines and novel therapeutic approaches that can effectively address these disorders. By advancing our understanding and refining treatment strategies, we can strive towards improving the quality of life and fostering healthier sexual relationships for individuals suffering from these rare sexual disorders.

Recognition and practice patterns of sexual medicine experts towards postorgasmic illness syndrome

Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare, but debilitating cluster of symptoms, occurring after ejaculation with unknown mechanism and uncertain treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this study, which is thought to be the first in the literature, is aimed to investigate the practice patterns of sexual medicine experts towards POIS. Worldwide sexual medicine experts were invited to participate anonymously in an online, open survey using SurveyMonkey between November 14, 2022, and January 15, 2023. In total 211 sexual medicine experts filled the survey. The majority of the participants were urologists (83.9%). Most participants stated that the available information about POIS was inadequate for both patients and physicians. 47.9% of the participants stated psychological disorder, 46.4% stated bio-psycho-social reasons for the responsibility for the pathophysiology of POIS. 56.4% of the participants stated that they would refer the patient for psychotherapy/sexual therapy to a sexologist, 41.7% would prefer antihistamine drugs to manage symptoms. Only 18% of participants reported symptom improvement in more than 30% of the patients. This survey study among sexual medicine experts from different parts of the world has developed representative estimates of knowledge, attitudes and practice patterns regarding POIS worldwide.

Postorgasmic Illness Syndrome: An Update

Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare condition affecting men who experience a cluster of flu-like and allergic symptoms after ejaculation. POIS can occur after intercourse, masturbation, or spontaneous ejaculation, and may persist for up to 7 d. Recurrent symptoms often negatively impact quality of life and sexual activity, leaving those affected with mental sequelae, diminished concentration, and mood changes. While it has been shown that various treatment options can alleviate symptoms in the short term, acute management remains controversial. In addition, follow-up data are severely lacking, resulting in the absence of established long-term management options for men suffering from POIS. This review highlights hallmark studies and the current state and promising developments surrounding clinical approaches to POIS. PATIENT SUMMARY: In this review, we discuss what is known about postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS), a disease that causes flu-like symptoms in some men after ejaculation. Little research has been on POIS, so its causes, diagnosis, and appropriate treatments are poorly understood.

Intensified Hyposensitization Is an Effective Treatment of Postorgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)

Introduction

Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is an extremely rare urogenital disease which significantly and negatively impacts the functioning and sexual activity.

Aims

A 34-year-old male presented with POIS symptoms and confirmed the allergic component of the POIS. Intensified immunotherapy with autologous semen was recommended.

Methods

The treatment lasted 14 months and included 20 visits. Modified and intensified subcutaneous immunotherapy in both forearms significantly shortened the therapy and improved the outcome, with high-tolerance and no adverse effects or hyperactive responses.

Main Outcome Measure

Improvement in POIS symptoms through the use of intensified immunotherapy with autologous semen.

Results

The improvement was significant enough to allow for higher sexual activity, and gradual resumption of private and professional activity.

Conclusion

Intensified immunotherapy with autologous semen seems an effective and safe option for treating patients with suspected immune-allergenic POIS. To the best of our knowledge, this has been the first such intensive and effective allergen-specific immunotherapy of POIS.

Wrotynska-Barczynska J, Swat. Swat E, Berger A, et al. Intensified Hyposensitization Is an Effective Treatment of Postorgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS). Sex Med 2022;10:100474.

The first Tunisian case of postorgasmic illness syndrome: A case report

Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare and singular syndrome. About fifty cases have been reported in the medical literature. Through a clinical observation, we illustrate the first case diagnosed in Tunisia and the difficulties in the etiological diagnosis and the therapeutic management of this syndrome. Given the shortage of cases reported in the literature, the syndrome of POIS remains poorly identified and subsequently misdiagnosed. The clinical diagnosis is relatively simple, yet etiological and therapeutic questions remain to overcome.

Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS) and Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Do They Have Anything in Common?

Post orgasmic illness syndrome is a rare, mysterious condition with an unknown pathomechanism and uncertain treatment. The symptoms of post orgasmic illness syndrome last about 2–7 days after an ejaculation. The current hypothesis proposes that the primary injury in post orgasmic illness syndrome is an acute compression proprioceptive axonopathy in the muscle spindle, as is suspected in delayed onset muscle soreness. The terminal arbor degeneration-like lesion of delayed onset muscle soreness is theorized to be an acute stress response energy-depleted dysfunctional mitochondria-induced impairment of Piezo2 channels and glutamate vesicular release. The recurring symptoms of post orgasmic illness syndrome after each ejaculation are suggested to be analogous to the repeated bout effect of delayed onset muscle soreness. However, there are differences in the pathomechanism, mostly attributed to the extent of secondary tissue damage and to the extent of spermidine depletion. The spermidine depletion-induced differences are as follows: modulation of the acute stress response, flu-like symptoms, opioid-like withdrawal and enhanced deregulation of the autonomic nervous system. The longitudinal dimension of delayed onset muscle soreness, in the form of post orgasmic illness syndrome and the repeated bout effect, have cognitive and memory consequences, since the primary injury is learning and memory-related.

Analysis of the Symptomatology, Disease Course, and Treatment of Postorgasmic Illness Syndrome in a Large Sample

BACKGROUND

Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare syndrome of unknown etiology where patients experience distressing physical and psychological after ejaculatory sequelae.

AIM

To better characterize the epidemiology, symptomatology, disease course, and treatment of POIS, with specific interest placed on examining relationships between disease presentation and measures of disease burden.

METHODS

A 30-item questionnaire was distributed to an online community of patients with POIS from June 2019 to January 2020. We assessed diagnostic criteria and clusters of symptomatology described in prior studies. Outcome measures include self-reported measures of symptom severity, disease burden, and behavioral changes. Statistical correlations were assessed with Pearson's chi-squared (χ²) and ordinal regression analyses.

OUTCOMES

The main outcome measures of this study are self-reported measures of symptom severity, disease burden, and behavioral changes.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 302 men (mean age: 32.6 ± 11.4 years, mean age of onset: 19.1 ± 7.8 years) with 89% satisfying ≥3 diagnostic criteria. Common symptoms were difficulty concentrating (254, 84%), extreme fatigue (250, 83%), irritability (225, 74%), and muscle weakness (212, 70%). Common symptom clusters were general (219, 72%), muscle (137, 45%), and head (93, 31%). Common behavioral modifications were avoiding masturbation (215, 71%), schedule changes (213, 71%), and abstinence (186, 62%). Head and throat symptom clusters demonstrated worse disease burden outcomes. Professional medical advice was sought by 51% of participants. Attempted treatments included pharmacotherapy, vitamins, supplements, and herbs with variable efficacy.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

This study further characterizes POIS, including how patients respond to the condition, how it is treated in the community, and presentations that may be associated with more severe disease.

STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS

This is the largest study to date that concerns patients suffering from POIS and includes a diverse, global population. Limitations include that the survey was only administered in English and within 1 online community, that results were self-reported, and that the response rate was low (32%).

CONCLUSIONS

Characterizing symptom cluster, but not number of diagnostic criteria, may offer prognostic value, and investigation to elucidate pathophysiology and potential treatments for POIS is necessary. Natale C, Gabrielson A, Tue Nguyen HM, et al. Analysis of the Symptomatology, Disease Course, and Treatment of Postorgasmic Illness Syndrome in a Large Sample. J Sex Med 2020;17:2229-2235.

Case of post-orgasmic illness syndrome associated with hypogonadism

INTRODUCTION

Post-orgasmic illness syndrome is a rare condition that occurs after ejaculation and persists for 2-7 days and is characterized by flu-like symptoms, which can significantly reduce quality of life.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 21-year-old unmarried man was referred to our hospital due to flu-like symptoms that developed after ejaculation by masturbation and persisted for about 2 days. The patient's free testosterone level was slightly lower than normal. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were initially administered and helped relieve headache and muscle pain. Thereafter, the patient was able to ejaculate three times a week. In addition, after administering testosterone enanthate once or twice a month, his general fatigue significantly improved, and he could ejaculate every day.

CONCLUSION

The pathophysiology of post-orgasmic illness syndrome has not been fully elucidated. The treatments for this condition must be accurately selected according to pathophysiology.

Clinical experience with post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) patients-characteristics and possible treatment modality

Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare condition that includes a cluster of post-ejaculatory symptoms with debilitating physical and psychological consequences. The prevalence and incidence of POIS remain unknown as well as the pathophysiology of the syndrome, and there are no well-studied recognized treatment modalities. The current retrospective observational study describes a series of 14 highly selected patients who were actively looking for medical help as POIS has a significant effect on patients and their partners. The aim is to increase knowledge about this syndrome and possible treatment modality. According to a standard protocol, patients have been systematically interviewed, had a physical examination, laboratory blood tests, and treatments. Mean age was 34.07 ± 6.65 years. The majority of patients had only one symptom in common-extreme fatigue. The most prevalent complaints were head pressure/heaviness, nose congestion and muscle tension; all patients suffered from more than 1 symptom. POIS started on average within 30 min of ejaculation and lasted for 3.5 days. The patients reported emotional and psychosocial burden of their symptoms, which also influence their partner and relationships. Immunoglobulin-E measurements did not show elevated levels and/or significant increase within 24 h after ejaculation. Silodosin, a highly selective alpha1A-blocker, which actually causes anejaculation, was effective treatment in 57% of the patients.

Successful treatment of Post-orgasmic illness syndrome with human chorionic gonadotropin

Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is an uncommon condition in which men experience debilitating symptoms following orgasm, including anxiety, weakness, and lassitude. The etiology is unknown, and treatment challenging. We present a 25y man with POIS since puberty. He dreaded ejaculation due to his subsequent symptoms. Multiple prior treatments had failed. Blood tests revealed testosterone (T) deficiency. hCG was prescribed. At 6 weeks T levels normalized with near-complete resolution of symptoms. This successful result argues for hormonal investigation in men with POIS, and a trial of hCG or T therapy if total or free T is low or borderline.

Management Options for Premature Ejaculation and Delayed Ejaculation in Men

INTRODUCTION

Many men experience distressing issues regarding the timing of orgasm and ejaculation, such as premature ejaculation (PE) and delayed ejaculation (DE). Despite being highly prevalent, both PE and DE are poorly understood and present a management challenge for sexual medicine specialists.

AIM

To summarize existing data on the medical management of PE and DE.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review pertaining to the management of PE and DE was conducted using PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov for data published up until May 2019. Our focus was on double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and meta-analyses of such studies.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Peer-reviewed studies on treatment options for PE and DE were critically analyzed for results and methodological rigor.

RESULTS

The peer-reviewed data on PE management continue to evolve. Psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and procedural interventions have all been associated with some degree of efficacy. A strong evidence base supports the off-label use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and local anesthetics in PE given consistent increases in ejaculation latency time. Education and mental health assessments remain important components of PE management despite a dearth of peer-reviewed data on these interventions. Numerous treatment strategies have been evaluated for DE; limited data support psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and/or penile vibratory stimulation as management options.

CONCLUSION

A number of management options for PE or DE exist but none has been formally approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. New and novel treatments would be of great value in managing issues regarding the timing of ejaculation/orgasm. Martin-Tuite P, Shindel AW. Management Options for Premature Ejaculation and Delayed Ejaculation in Men. Sex Med Rev 2020; 8:473-485.

Immunophenotypical Characterization of a Brazilian POIS (Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome) Patient: Adding More Pieces to Puzzle

Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare condition characterized by post-ejaculatory symptoms. Here is reported the first Brazilian POIS patient. Immunological investigation did not confirm the previous hypothesis of a hypersensitivity reaction. Cell immunophenotyping comparing healthy individuals produced evidence of abnormalities not associated to clinical manifestations. The patient was submitted to specific immunotherapy with transient clinical response and was referred to a psychologist but did not demonstrate clinical improvement of symptoms. Therefore, etiology of POIS remains unclear.