First Large-Scale Research on Postorgasmic-Illness-Syndrome
In June 2025, the first large-scale study on postorgasmic-illness-syndrome (POIS) officially launched in the United States. Originally planned for 2020, the project was delayed by five years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial test subject was scheduled for examination on the first day of the lockdown, forcing an indefinite postponement. Now, the long-awaited research has resumed, with the first participant already examined. This development raises major hopes for the global POIS community.
Leading Scientists Behind the Study
The research is led by:
- Dr. Nicole Prause (University of California, Liberos Institute) – neuroscientist specializing in brain activity and orgasm research.
- Dr. Tierney Lorenz (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) – psychologist heading the Laboratory for Women, Immunity, and Sexual Health, with extensive experience in studying immune responses during ovulation.
Their collaboration brings neurological, psychological, and immunological expertise into one groundbreaking project.
Research Design: 100 Men, Groundbreaking Data
The study will examine 100 men:
- 50 diagnosed with postorgasmic-illness-syndrome,
- 50 healthy controls without POIS.
Most of the research will take place in Prause’s California laboratory. Data will be collected before and after orgasm, focusing on:
- inflammatory biomarkers such as cytokines,
- hormone fluctuations,
- sympathetic nervous system activity,
- EEG brain recordings,
- cognitive function tests.
The central question is why the body “goes haywire” in POIS patients. As Lorenz explains:
“If we understand how something in the body becomes unbalanced, we can also better understand how it works. The goal is to identify the causes in order to develop better treatment options.”
Largest Study on Male Orgasm to Date
The implications extend beyond POIS. According to Prause, this is the largest study on the male orgasm ever conducted:
“This study is every neuroscientist’s dream, because much of the data has never been collected in men before. Hard to believe in 2025. So, in addition to POIS research, we are also conducting important basic research on the male orgasm.”
Funding: Powered by Patients and Foundations
The study is supported by the North American Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD), the Fulton Family Foundation, and a strong patient-driven crowdfunding effort. Through the POIS forum POIScenter.com, patients raised over $31,000 to help make the project possible. Prause notes that this demonstrates both the severe impact of POIS on patients’ lives and the determination of the community to drive research forward.
What Is Postorgasmic-Illness-Syndrome?
Postorgasmic-illness-syndrome is a rare condition that occurs after ejaculation or orgasm. Reported symptoms include:
- flu-like issues (coughing, sneezing, sore throat, nasal congestion),
- extreme fatigue and exhaustion,
- brain fog, memory problems, poor concentration,
- depressive moods and irritability.
These symptoms can last for days or even weeks, significantly disrupting daily life.
Outlook
For the first time, a large-scale study is investigating the neurological, hormonal, and immune mechanisms of postorgasmic-illness-syndrome. The research could pave the way for new diagnostic tools and effective treatments, while also contributing to fundamental knowledge about male sexual health.
Sources
1. Crowdfunded grant will help UNL researcher study sex-related condition. Lincoln Journal Star, June 26, 2019. Accessed May 19, 2025.
2. Nicole Prause. POIS study first data point! May 17, 2025. Accessed May 19, 2025.
3. “How Porn Rewires Your Brain“, Interview with Nicole Prause, timecode 1:31:07. Accessed May 19, 2025.
4. “Arousal, Orgasm and Porn”, Interview with Dr. Nicole Prause, Timecode 35:00. Accessed May 19, 2025.