Postorgasmic-Illness-Syndrome: Major Study Enters Its Crucial Phase – Recruitment Now Open
The largest scientific investigation ever conducted on Postorgasmic-Illness-Syndrome (POIS) is now entering its central phase. After the initial stage examined only healthy men (i.e., without POIS symptoms), the recruitment of the affected group is finally beginning—an essential step toward uncovering the mechanisms behind the condition.
Background
As reported in a previous article, the study is led by U.S. researchers Tierney Lorenz (University of Nebraska–Lincoln) and Nicole Prause (University of California, Los Angeles). The goal of the project is to identify the underlying biological mechanisms of POIS. To do so, the research team collects detailed laboratory data on immunology (e.g., cytokines), endocrinology, the autonomic nervous system, and EEG activity before and after orgasm.
The project is funded by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), the Fulton Family Foundation, and a community-led crowdfunding campaign that raised over $31,000 through POIScenter.com. The study will examine approximately 100 men in total.
Recruitment of POIS Patients Begins
In the first study phase, only men without POIS were evaluated. These control measurements form a crucial baseline that enables researchers to clearly identify biological and symptomatic differences when comparing to POIS-affected participants.
With the launch of patient recruitment, the core part of the study begins: collecting data from men with Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome. In the first step, interested individuals complete an online questionnaire on the Qualtrics platform, which collects essential symptom information. Based on these responses, suitable participants will then be invited to undergo laboratory assessments at the University of California, USA.
Participants receive a $150 compensation for taking part. Travel and accommodation costs are not covered, which unfortunately limits participation for people outside the United States.
Research Design of the Main Study Phase
The research plan for the second phase is designed to precisely capture both subjective symptom data and objective biological markers. The aim is to develop a comprehensive picture of the mechanisms involved in Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome and to highlight clear differences between affected individuals and controls. The main phase follows a structured, multi-step approach:
- Screening via Online Questionnaire:
The questionnaire collects detailed information on symptoms, severity, timing patterns, and common triggers of POIS. It also includes questions on comorbidities, medications, lifestyle factors, and the individual course of symptoms after orgasm. This data allows the research team to accurately characterize the POIS group and select appropriate participants for the laboratory phase. - Comparison with Control Group:
The newly collected data from POIS-affected participants will be systematically compared with the previously gathered control data. This makes it possible to identify differences in symptom load, health parameters, and potential risk profiles. The control group provides an objective baseline to distinguish specific POIS-related features from “normal” physiological responses. - Biological Measurements:
The next stage includes extensive laboratory-based tests, such as analyses of immune and inflammatory markers, hormonal parameters, autonomic nervous system activity, and EEG recordings. These measurements will be taken before and after orgasm to detect short-term changes and identify potential pathophysiological patterns. - Multi-Stage Study Structure:
The newly launched recruitment phase is essential for all subsequent steps. Only with a sufficiently large and well-characterized POIS group can the laboratory analyses be performed meaningfully and evaluated with statistical accuracy. The multi-stage design ensures that each step logically builds on the results of the previous one.
A Significant Step for POIS Research — New Hope for Patients
This new study phase marks the first time that concrete pathophysiological mechanisms in POIS patients are being examined. This milestone may eventually pave the way for evidence-based diagnostics and potential treatment approaches.
By collecting both subjective symptoms and objective biological markers, the study generates a level of data depth that has not previously existed in POIS research. Comparing POIS patients directly with healthy controls offers the hope of identifying patterns that point to specific dysregulations in the immune system, nervous system, or hormonal pathways.
The study’s results also have the potential to raise medical awareness of the syndrome and provide a foundation for future, more targeted research efforts.
Click here to access the online questionnaire
Click here to read the earlier article: New Hope for Patients – First Large POIS Study Launched in the USA