Postorgasmic-Illness-Syndrome POIS I Effective Treatment Options

POIS-Treatment

Postorgasmic-Illness-Syndrome Treatment

Since Postorgasmic-Illness-Syndrome is currently incurable, medical therapy focuses on alleviating symptoms after ejaculation.

Treatment of Postorgasmic-Illness-Syndrome (POIS)

Postorgasmic-illness-syndrome (POIS) places a massive strain on those affected – both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for POIS, as the exact biological mechanisms of the condition are not yet fully understood. However, there are various treatment approaches that can help alleviate the symptoms and significantly improve quality of life.

Goal of treatment: Reduce symptoms and stabilize everyday life

Since POIS is currently incurable, medical therapy focuses on alleviating symptoms after ejaculation. The goal is to reduce the intensity and duration of symptoms, minimize relapses, and enable those affected to lead a more active life—including a limited but possible sexuality.

Possible causes: allergy or autoimmune reaction?

Although research is still in its infancy, some studies point to two main causes:

An allergic reaction to components of one’s own ejaculate
An autoimmune reaction in which the body mistakenly attacks itself

These reactions could trigger various inflammatory processes in the body—for example, in the throat, eyes, nasal cavity, muscles, or brain. This results in typical POIS symptoms such as exhaustion, brain fog, muscle and joint pain, but also irritability, depression, and anxiety.

Medications for POIS

What treatment options are available?

1. Anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help to reduce inflammatory reactions in the body after ejaculation. They are often taken as a short-term measure immediately before or after ejaculation.

2. Antihistamines

These medications block histamine receptors and are used to treat classic allergic reactions. Some sufferers report positive effects from H1 and H2 blockers such as fexofenadine or cetirizine, especially for symptoms such as itchy eyes, nasal mucosal inflammation, or skin reactions.

3. Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, prednisolone)

In particularly severe cases, immunosuppressants such as cortisone may be used. These medications suppress the immune system’s overreaction, but due to possible side effects, they are only recommended under medical supervision and not for long-term use.

4. SSRI antidepressants (e.g., Escitalopram, sertraline)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have a mood-stabilizing and anxiolytic effect. Since POIS often triggers psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety, they are used as a supplement. Some patients also report a mild improvement in physical symptoms due to the stabilizing effect on the nervous system.

Further therapeutic options

5. Ejaculation avoidance or control

Some POIS sufferers rely on conscious sexual abstinence to avoid symptoms. Others report success with certain methods of controlling ejaculation, such as tantra techniques or pelvic floor training.

6. Hyposensitization with own ejaculate

In individual cases, autologous desensitization has been tested, in which patients were injected with small amounts of their own ejaculate into the skin – similar to an allergy vaccination. The results are inconclusive, but the approach is promising for future studies.

7. Nutrition, gut health, and micronutrients

Some sufferers have achieved symptom improvement through a low-inflammatory diet, taking omega-3 fatty acids, PEA (palmitoylethanolamide), zinc, vitamin D, or probiotics. A link between gut health and POIS is also being discussed.

Self-help and exchange: An important component of therapy

In addition to medical treatment, self-help is also a crucial factor in dealing with POIS. Exchanging experiences with other affected individuals—for example, via the POIS-Network Community —can provide emotional support, reveal new therapeutic approaches, and prevent isolation.

If you would lile to get in touch with fellow POISers to exchange experiences, please get in touch with us: contact@pois-network.com

Conclusion: POIS symptoms are treatable – but there is currently no cure

Although there is currently no cure for POIS, there are numerous therapy options available to make everyday life with the condition easier. Treatment is individualized and should always be carried out in collaboration with experienced doctors or therapists. Careful observation of symptoms, open communication, and a combination of medication and supportive therapy can help to better manage the syndrome.

Explore treatment results from scientific case reports.

Hyposensitization with own seminal fluid

In a study by Waldinger with two Dutch men, hyposensitization was carried out using the body’s own seminal fluid. The fluid was injected under the skin over several months and the concentration was gradually increased. Both study participants described an alleviation of their POIS symptoms by 60 and 90 percent respectively.¹ Wrotynska-Barczynska et al. also carried out hyposensitization on a 34-year-old patient over a period of 14 months and were able to alleviate his symptoms.²

Antihistamines

A 27-year-old patient who developed flu symptoms after ejaculation was successfully treated with the antihistamine fexofenadyn in a study by Shanholtzer et al.³ By taking the drug daily, his symptoms were reduced by 90 percent.

Antiallergic drugs

In a study on a 25-year-old man, McLean-Tooke and Kinken⁴ were able to achieve success with the anti-allergic drug Xolair, which is used for allergic asthma, among other things. The patient, who suffered from nausea and cognitive problems after ejaculation, was treated for three months and experienced significant relief of his symptoms.

Alpha-Blockers

A team of researchers led by Pierce⁵ treated a 28-year-old patient with the alpha-blocker alfuzosin for several months and achieved good results. The patient suffered from severe fatigue, lethargy, muscle pain and gastrointestinal problems for several days after ejaculation. His symptoms also included dry mouth and dry eyes. Almost all of the symptoms had been alleviated or had disappeared as a result of the alpha-blocker therapy. Due to the efficacy of alpha-blockers, the authors hypothesized that POIS is a dysfunction of the sympathetic nervous system.

Reisman⁶ also described good results in a study with 14 men using the alpha-blocker silodosin. The drug, which causes anejaculation, was effective in 57 percent of patients. The majority of patients had only one symptom in common – extreme tiredness. The most common complaints were pressure or heaviness in the head, nasal congestion and muscle tension. All patients suffered from more than one symptom.

human chorionic gonadotropin / testosterone

Bolanos and Morgenthaler⁷ treated a 25-year-old man with human chorionic gonadotropin (hcG). The hormone hcG stimulates the body’s own testosterone production. The patient had been complaining of anxiety, exhaustion, brain fog and problems finding words after each ejaculation since the age of 16. The symptoms set in immediately after ejaculation or after 2-3 days and lasted 1-2 weeks. Dietary changes and the intake of dietary supplements and antihistamines had previously been unsuccessful. After six weeks, all his symptoms had disappeared. After a further six months of therapy, the patient was still virtually symptom-free. He masturbated several times a month and only described mild symptoms lasting around twelve hours, which did not affect his everyday life.

Removal of the epididymis after epididymitis

Jang et al.⁸ were able to alleviate the symptoms of a 42-year-old Chinese man by removing the epididymis. The patient complained of flu symptoms, exhaustion, palpitations, difficulty finding words, concentration problems, depression, heavy legs and skin rash after each ejaculation. The symptoms had only been present for two years. The flu symptoms developed 1-2 hours after ejaculation, all other symptoms up to 24 hours later. All symptoms peaked after 1-2 days and then disappeared spontaneously. Painkillers and immunosuppressants did not help the patient to the desired extent. A thorough examination revealed epididymitis, whereupon the epididymis was removed and the symptoms largely disappeared.

Food supplements, yoga and meditation

Many sufferers also resort to dietary supplements that are supposed to strengthen the immune system, have an anti-inflammatory effect or prevent fatigue. However, their effectiveness is controversial. Yoga and meditation are also approaches that are used to alleviate the symptoms.

Sterilization apparently not a solution

In a 2015 study, Waldinger⁹ reports that three men developed POIS symptoms both before and after their sterilization. This suggests that the inflammation is not caused by sperm, but by seminal fluid, which is also produced by the body after sterilization.

Small case studies: Results cannot be generalized

The majority of the studies described above are case studies with only one or two test subjects. Unfortunately, studies with larger, i.e. meaningful samples are still lacking, meaning that the results cannot be generalized. It should also be noted that the nature of the symptoms and the course of the disease can vary from man to man and therefore a different form of therapy may be suitable for each case.

Find an overview of latest research, including the studies mentioned above, under Literature

Warning against self-experimentation

Various treatment approaches and self-experiments to get POIS under control are circulating in Internet forums and chat groups.

At this point, we expressly warn against treating POIS without medical supervision.

Each course of the disease is individual and the causes may also be multifactorial. There is therefore no patent remedy for POIS. What helps one affected person can cause great harm to another. And as long as the origin of POIS is not clear, serious surgical interventions are not advisable.

Please discuss a possible therapy with your doctor and only take medication and other substances under medical supervision.