post-orgasmic illness syndrome
post-orgasmic illness syndrome
A condition characterised by debilitating symptoms of several hours’ to days’ duration after an orgasm; it is said to affect up to 1% of the general population. This controversial entity has been legitimised by formal recognition by the NIH’s Office of Rare Diseases Research, and National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Clinical findings
• Menta—Cognitive dysfunction, discomfort, irritability, anxiety, increased susceptibility to cold or other stressors, depression; difficulty in communicating, remembering words, reading and retaining information, concentrating, and socialising.
• Physical—Fatigue, headache, flu-like and allergy-like symptoms (e.g., sneezing, itchy eyes, nasal irritation and muscle pain), sensation of intense warmth.
Imaging
Pituitary changes (e.g., microadenoma).
Lab
Decreased progesterone, testosterone; increased cortisol.
Management
Uncertain; possibly, SSRIs, hormone therapy, hyposensitisation for semen allergies, abstention from sex.