Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS): When Sex Makes You Sick – And How One Man Found Relief
Most people expect sex to bring pleasure, but for a 27-year-old man, it brought nothing but misery. Each time he climaxed, he was struck down by symptoms that looked like the flu—leaving him exhausted, in pain, and unable to enjoy intimacy.
The man told doctors he experienced coughing, runny nose, sneezing and a hive-like rash on his forearms after orgasm, regardless of whether he'd had sex or masturbated.
He also experienced swelling in the lymph glands on his face and neck.
He said that the flu-like symptoms started at the age of 18, causing him to avoid sexual relationships.
Doctors eventually discovered he was living with Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS), a rare medical condition that makes sex feel more like an illness than an act of love.
What Exactly Is POIS?
Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome is a little-known condition that affects men around the world, though only a handful of cases have been documented in medical research.
The syndrome triggers a cluster of symptoms after orgasm, including:
- Extreme fatigue
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Muscle pain
- Feverishness and sweats
- Irritability or low mood
For some, these symptoms last a few hours. For others, they drag on for days.
The Man Who Couldn’t Have Sex
The man, whose case made international headlines, said his symptoms were so overwhelming that he avoided sex completely. Relationships became difficult, and his quality of life plummeted.
“It felt like I was allergic to my own orgasms,” he explained to doctors.
This wasn’t an exaggeration. Many experts believe POIS may be linked to an autoimmune reaction or an allergy to semen, though the exact cause is still not fully understood.
The Treatment That Worked
After years of frustration, doctors tried a simple approach: antihistamines, the same medication millions use daily for hay fever and allergies.
To everyone’s surprise, the treatment worked. His symptoms eased significantly, and he was finally able to enjoy intimacy without fearing the “flu-like crash” that followed.
The case has given hope to other men battling the same rare condition.
Why POIS Matters More Than You Think
While the story may sound unusual—even unbelievable—it highlights a bigger issue: the silence around men’s sexual health.
Many men with conditions like POIS, erectile dysfunction, or painful ejaculation suffer in silence because they are too embarrassed to seek help. Rare conditions, in particular, are often dismissed or misdiagnosed.
By speaking out, cases like this raise awareness and push the medical world to take these syndromes seriously.
- “Have you ever heard of POIS before? Share this article to spread awareness about rare sexual health conditions.”
Other Rare Sexual Health Conditions
POIS isn’t the only condition that can make intimacy difficult. Here are a few others:
- Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity – An allergy to semen, more commonly seen in women, that causes itching, swelling, or pain.
- Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) – A condition where people experience unwanted, constant arousal without sexual desire.
- Genital Pain Syndromes – Chronic pain conditions like vulvodynia or penile pain disorders that can last for months or years.
These conditions may be rare, but they remind us that sexual health deserves the same medical attention as any other part of the body.
The story of the man who found relief from an “orgasm allergy” is more than just a strange headline—it’s proof that even the rarest conditions can have solutions.
If you or someone you know struggles with unusual symptoms linked to sex, medical help is available. Sometimes, the answer may be as simple as the right diagnosis and a common treatment.
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