Could you be allergic to your own… orgasm? Research shows that there are seven different types of ‘post-coital flu’ symptoms that affect men
Mand may be ‘allergic’ to their own orgasms, experts say.
French researchers studying the extremely rare post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) claim it can manifest as seven different types of symptoms.
Some unfortunate men may experience headaches, burning eyes, or a runny nose that lasts seconds, minutes, or even hours after ejaculation.
Others, doctors discovered, may experience sore throats, fever, muscle weakness and fatigue.
French researchers studying the extremely rare post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) claim it can manifest as seven different types of symptoms. Some unfortunate men may experience headaches, burning eyes or a runny nose that lasts seconds, minutes or even hours after ejaculation
The symptoms can be triggered by sexual intercourse, masturbation or even after spontaneous nighttime ejaculation, researchers say.
More extreme symptoms of POIS may include: palpitations or incoherent speech, an expert from the Hospital Center des Quatre Villes, on the outskirts of Paris, wrote in a French medical journal.
Although it was first reported in 2002, experts have only investigated about 60 cases in the 20 years since.
However, thousands more men could be affected as it is likely that many affected do not seek medical attention.
Scientists are baffled as to the cause of the flu-like symptoms, although they believe they could be the result of an allergic or autoimmune reaction to the patient’s own semen.
This would generate an autoimmune response in the body, which could explain the allergic symptoms some men experience.
Another hypothesis is that POIS may be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.
The problems this causes can last for up to a week, writes Dr. Charlotte Methorst Advances in Urology with the words ‘post coitum flu’ in the title.
She added that because so few people are aware of POIS, many more may be living with it unknowingly.
Symptoms vary between men, but are believed to be the same intensity with each ejaculation or orgasm.
Medics have yet to identify a cure for POIS.
Instead, treatments previously included antihistamines, alpha blockers – used to treat high blood pressure – and anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac, the doctors said.
Other behavioral therapies and mindfulness techniques have also proven “beneficial” for patients and should be offered, she added.