Postorgasmic-Illness-Syndrome (POIS) is a rare disease in which men and women can develop a variety of symptoms after orgasm or ejaculation.
Large spectrum: flu, exhaustion, brainfog
Symptoms range from physical complaints to cognitive impairments to mental health problems. In many people affected, flu symptoms, extreme fatigue, brainfog, concentration and speech disorders, depressive episodes and social anxieties are part of the clinical picture. The researchers Jiang et al. compare the POIS symptoms with opioid deferral syndrome.
The symptoms usually apply immediately after ejaculation and last about one to seven days. Many of those affected report on significantly longer phases. The disease can already occur with the first ejaculation, but also later in life. Type, duration and intensity of symptoms may vary from person to person.
Learn moren about POIS-Symptoms
Unclear cause, few data
So far, there are only vague indications about the causes of POIS. The assumption is an autommunal reaction or an allergic reaction of the body to the seminal fluid or certain hormone receptors that play a role during ejaculation. The body reacts with inflammation.
The number of scientific studies is currently still very clear. They are mainly case studies with very few subjects.
The first study on the subject was published in 2002.
Here you can find an overview of scientific studies on the subject of POIS.
The American National Institute of Health and the European organization Orphanet have now included POIS in their rare disease databases.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the phenomenon is known as “Shenkui”. The origin of the problem is seen there in the kidney (Sheng, k’uei‘ lack).
Lack of therapy
Since the causes are still unknown, effective medical therapy is not yet available. The individual symptoms are treated, for example, with anti-inflammatory drugs and antihistamines.
Learn more about POIS diagnosis and POIS treatment approaches.
Labyrinth without way out
Many sufferers often need years to recognise the causes of their symptoms, to see a doctor and to address the disease to their partners. Since POIS is still largely unknown among doctors, the search for help often resembles a labyrinth without a way out.
We want to help those affected by POIS to get help and find a way out of this labyrinth.
United Against POIS!
Find out more about POIS-symptoms, POIS-diagnosis and POIS-treatment options.