Case series: expanding diagnostic markers in postorgasmic illness syndrome

Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare condition in which individuals develop generalized and flu-like symptoms after ejaculation. Several mechanisms and treatments for this disorder have been proposed but many questions remain. We sought to present a summary of literature to date and highli...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sexual medicine 2023-04, Vol.11 (2), p.qfac021-qfac021
Main Authors: Rosetti, Leah, Kanani, Amin, Witherspoon, Luke, Flannigan, Ryan, Elliott, Stacy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case Report
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Summary:Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare condition in which individuals develop generalized and flu-like symptoms after ejaculation. Several mechanisms and treatments for this disorder have been proposed but many questions remain. We sought to present a summary of literature to date and highlight common symptoms, associated features, comorbidities, and laboratory findings in a clinical sample of patients with POIS. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 6 patients with POIS in our clinic and presented compiled results. We identified newly described non-flu-like presentations, onset of symptoms with high states of arousal without ejaculation, and presence of psychiatric comorbidity in a majority of patients. We did not identify a postorgasm allergic response with bloodwork available. POIS remains a poorly understood condition that likely comprises a number of different clinical entities. Further research on a larger clinical sample is necessary to better characterize POIS and understand its biological and psychological basis.
ISSN:2050-1161
2050-1161
DOI:10.1093/sexmed/qfac021