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New Theories / Re: Post Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS)
« on: 16/02/2009 17:18:57 »
Hi All,
My name is Jon. I am a 30yo male living in the UK. I was astonished to discover this thread via google. I didn't know about POIS prior to reading this thread but believe that it reasonably accurately describes what happens to me.
My symptoms, post orgasm/ejaculation (either via intercourse or masturbation), are as follows:
Extreme mood swings (tremendous despondency or rage, irritability, fight or flight basically)
Extreme desire to be 'left alone' away from all forms of social interaction
Total brain fuzz (poor memory and recall, poor concentration, distinct inability to perform to known levels)
No physical symptoms
The severity of these symptoms is heightened in periods of stress (I have a stressful job). My 'normal' state is one of clarity, fine recall, excellent concentration and well-balanced emotions. These symptoms begin a few hours after orgasm/ejaculation, peak about 24 hours after and finally totally subside after approx 2/3days.
I have had these symptoms since early (pre sex or masturbation) puberty (unsure if I had many wet dreams at outset but possible). The symptoms were seemingly less frequent and severe throughout this period and on to my early 20s. It should be noted though that I was very physically and sexually active (several ejaculations a week, if not once a day) with low to no stress and excellent diet throughout this same period. My symptoms came to a head in my mid-20s to now when I was considerably less physically active, equally sexually active and with a poorer diet and high stress.
High stress is not to blame though as I have used a diary to track the incidence of outside pressure/stress and ejaculation against the symptoms. Ejaculation/orgasm is the prime cause to the extent where it is a repeatable and measurable test (ejaculation/orgasm = symptoms). I should also state that I do not have any emotional or psychological hangups about ejaculation/orgasm/sex/masturbation that could alter the results from demonstrating anything other than a physiological reaction.
I have always assumed that the symptoms were caused by an acetylcholine deficiency induced through sex or masturbation. There are a few websites that state this (link is stated with regards to masturbation but I believe this should be viewed as ejaculation as a whole). Acetylcholine deficiencies cause the body to over rely on the sympathetic nervous system which would explain my symptoms perfectly. I find that if I eat plenty of eggs and meat esp liver (choline rich foods) then I recover faster and can reduce the worst of my symptoms during an episode. Choline is the building block of acetylcholine.
Another thing that is interesting is I have always suffered from reflex epilepsy (Tourette's syndrome). This manifests itself as a physical tic that occurs very sporadically throughout the day (on a given day, I may have some tics, on another day, none). It is thought that reflex epilepsy is caused by problems with neurotransmitter levels esp. acetylcholine (I had an MRI and EEG at 19, both were clear). As such, it is one of the few conditions that can be treated with nicotine. Nicotine is effectively super-acetycholine. I do not smoke though. However, this may explain why people crave nicotine after sex if there is a normal level of acetycholine reduction in everyone post orgasm/ejaculation.
I would be very interested to hear from you all. I would especially be interested to know if anyone has any sort of physical tic associated with POIS and anyone whose symptoms are eased by eating choline-rich foods.
I would also like to ask the group how their symptoms are affected by smoking/nictone patches.
Please feel free to ask any questions that you have of me. I will be happy to answer.
I accept that my symptoms do not mirror everyones here but it may certainly be of use to the people who only suffer from the mental issues. It may be that I have a condition related solely to acetylcholine (poss. confirmed by the epilepsy) that is worsened by orgasm/ejaculation rather than being caused by it.
Best Regards,
Jon
My name is Jon. I am a 30yo male living in the UK. I was astonished to discover this thread via google. I didn't know about POIS prior to reading this thread but believe that it reasonably accurately describes what happens to me.
My symptoms, post orgasm/ejaculation (either via intercourse or masturbation), are as follows:
Extreme mood swings (tremendous despondency or rage, irritability, fight or flight basically)
Extreme desire to be 'left alone' away from all forms of social interaction
Total brain fuzz (poor memory and recall, poor concentration, distinct inability to perform to known levels)
No physical symptoms
The severity of these symptoms is heightened in periods of stress (I have a stressful job). My 'normal' state is one of clarity, fine recall, excellent concentration and well-balanced emotions. These symptoms begin a few hours after orgasm/ejaculation, peak about 24 hours after and finally totally subside after approx 2/3days.
I have had these symptoms since early (pre sex or masturbation) puberty (unsure if I had many wet dreams at outset but possible). The symptoms were seemingly less frequent and severe throughout this period and on to my early 20s. It should be noted though that I was very physically and sexually active (several ejaculations a week, if not once a day) with low to no stress and excellent diet throughout this same period. My symptoms came to a head in my mid-20s to now when I was considerably less physically active, equally sexually active and with a poorer diet and high stress.
High stress is not to blame though as I have used a diary to track the incidence of outside pressure/stress and ejaculation against the symptoms. Ejaculation/orgasm is the prime cause to the extent where it is a repeatable and measurable test (ejaculation/orgasm = symptoms). I should also state that I do not have any emotional or psychological hangups about ejaculation/orgasm/sex/masturbation that could alter the results from demonstrating anything other than a physiological reaction.
I have always assumed that the symptoms were caused by an acetylcholine deficiency induced through sex or masturbation. There are a few websites that state this (link is stated with regards to masturbation but I believe this should be viewed as ejaculation as a whole). Acetylcholine deficiencies cause the body to over rely on the sympathetic nervous system which would explain my symptoms perfectly. I find that if I eat plenty of eggs and meat esp liver (choline rich foods) then I recover faster and can reduce the worst of my symptoms during an episode. Choline is the building block of acetylcholine.
Another thing that is interesting is I have always suffered from reflex epilepsy (Tourette's syndrome). This manifests itself as a physical tic that occurs very sporadically throughout the day (on a given day, I may have some tics, on another day, none). It is thought that reflex epilepsy is caused by problems with neurotransmitter levels esp. acetylcholine (I had an MRI and EEG at 19, both were clear). As such, it is one of the few conditions that can be treated with nicotine. Nicotine is effectively super-acetycholine. I do not smoke though. However, this may explain why people crave nicotine after sex if there is a normal level of acetycholine reduction in everyone post orgasm/ejaculation.
I would be very interested to hear from you all. I would especially be interested to know if anyone has any sort of physical tic associated with POIS and anyone whose symptoms are eased by eating choline-rich foods.
I would also like to ask the group how their symptoms are affected by smoking/nictone patches.
Please feel free to ask any questions that you have of me. I will be happy to answer.
I accept that my symptoms do not mirror everyones here but it may certainly be of use to the people who only suffer from the mental issues. It may be that I have a condition related solely to acetylcholine (poss. confirmed by the epilepsy) that is worsened by orgasm/ejaculation rather than being caused by it.
Best Regards,
Jon