[Counterpoints]

Has anyone tried to lower their sex drive in order to reduce their total number of ejaculations? Any success with that route? I understand that many of you can go days without an orgasm, but I can't even get through one day without one.

Yes I have tried, somewhat successfully... but I am a bit confused.  You said in your initial post that you went without masturbating for 5 months, and had nocturnal emissions only every couple weeks?

Here are a few things I have tried:
- no pornography, and avoid sexually suggestive imagery
- consciously avoid sexual thoughts
- cold shower (especially in genital region)
- exercise, vigorous activity to keep my mind off of sex

I used to have about 5 orgasms a day.  It was really really hard bringing it down, but you just need to be as strong willed as you can, and gradually, over a period of months, you will no longer feel the need as often.  Now, if I am lucky (no NEs), I can go about 9 days without orgasm.

[Vincent M]

Has anyone tried to lower their sex drive in order to reduce their total number of ejaculations? Any success with that route? I understand that many of you can go days without an orgasm, but I can't even get through one day without one.

Yes I have tried, somewhat successfully... but I am a bit confused.  You said in your initial post that you went without masturbating for 5 months, and had nocturnal emissions only every couple weeks?

Here are a few things I have tried:
- no pornography, and avoid sexually suggestive imagery
- consciously avoid sexual thoughts
- cold shower (especially in genital region)
- exercise, vigorous activity to keep my mind off of sex

I used to have about 5 orgasms a day.  It was really really hard bringing it down, but you just need to be as strong willed as you can, and gradually, over a period of months, you will no longer feel the need as often.  Now, if I am lucky (no NEs), I can go about 9 days without orgasm.

I was able to go 5 months without masturbating to ejaculation by using a vegan diet combined with the methods you mentioned above and some other random factors, but have found that my self control in managing both my diet and other factors has decreased over time. I'm now looking for methods that don't require self control in order to reduce my sex drive such as herbs or certain potent foods, but I still do make an effort to limit my # of ejaculations per day although without much success. I've heard that soy, for instance, might lower testosterone and decrease libido that way but I'm not sure. Counterpoints, may I ask how old you are and if you think your libido has decreased with your age?

[Vincent M]

I've also started taking prozac and have been on it for about a week now for anxiety and depression, but I've had a slight hope that it will decrease my libido as well. Perhaps someone else here has noticed a decrease in libido from prozac or some other similar medication?

[nick2k22]

Do we have a list somewhere of everyone who has tried progesterone?

[Animus]

I tried an O after taking a one-off 8mg dosage of Silodosin. The first 5 or 6 "spasms" of ejaculation were completely dry - the last one contained some semen, unfortunately for me.

I see 2 ways to proceed here - one is for me to up the dosage of Silodosin for "one-off" use and see if that has any impact. The other is to repeat my tests with 8mg per day for 3 days before O and see if it stops ejaculation again.

I started taking off taking a couple of capsules of fenugreek and then having an O about an hour later, then taking some more. I started off having practically no POIS symptoms at all for a couple of weeks, then the POIS symptoms began to return periodically, although they were much less severe than before - this is still true today.

I should mention that I now take fenugreek every day, POIS or not - it always has a positive social effect on me, and is pretty cheap now that I mix my own  []

Hurray,
How is your regimen going with Silodosin? I'm so impressed that you have tried this and gotten dry ejaculation with it. If I read you correctly, you say it initially stopped POIS, but then your symptoms came back gradually. After how long, I'm curious?

[hurray]

Hi Animus,

Sorry, probably should have done 2 seperate posts with the post you've just quoted from me. It's a bit confusing.

The first half is a report on how my Silodosin tests are going - the second part about fenugreek was for the benefit of another poster who was interested in effective fenugreek dosages.

Out of my 3 "Silodosin Os", the first (where I took 8mg for 3 days prior to O) was a complete success, with no ejaculation and no POIS. On my second attempt I did not build up Silodosin in my system and took a single dose of 4mg - this did not work. On my third attempt I also did not build up Silodosin but took a single 8mg dose - this attempt was almost successful, but not quite (I ejaculated a smaller amount of semen after several "dry pumps").

Now I am waiting for my POIS to finish before trying again, and will either try a higher one-off dose of Silodosin or try to repeat 8mg for 3 days and see if that works again.

[CertainlyPOIS]

Has anyone tried to lower their sex drive in order to reduce their total number of ejaculations? Any success with that route? I understand that many of you can go days without an orgasm, but I can't even get through one day without one.

Yes I have tried, somewhat successfully... but I am a bit confused.  You said in your initial post that you went without masturbating for 5 months, and had nocturnal emissions only every couple weeks?

Here are a few things I have tried:
- no pornography, and avoid sexually suggestive imagery
- consciously avoid sexual thoughts
- cold shower (especially in genital region)
- exercise, vigorous activity to keep my mind off of sex

I used to have about 5 orgasms a day.  It was really really hard bringing it down, but you just need to be as strong willed as you can, and gradually, over a period of months, you will no longer feel the need as often.  Now, if I am lucky (no NEs), I can go about 9 days without orgasm.

in addition to counterpoint, you can check your testosterone if it is super high may be finding a way to reduce it will help.
Or if you can safely increase your prolacting or decrease you dopamine might help.
dont do any of these without help of a doctor.

[CertainlyPOIS]

Hi Animus,

Sorry, probably should have done 2 seperate posts with the post you've just quoted from me. It's a bit confusing.

The first half is a report on how my Silodosin tests are going - the second part about fenugreek was for the benefit of another poster who was interested in effective fenugreek dosages.

Out of my 3 "Silodosin Os", the first (where I took 8mg for 3 days prior to O) was a complete success, with no ejaculation and no POIS. On my second attempt I did not build up Silodosin in my system and took a single dose of 4mg - this did not work. On my third attempt I also did not build up Silodosin but took a single 8mg dose - this attempt was almost successful, but not quite (I ejaculated a smaller amount of semen after several "dry pumps").

Now I am waiting for my POIS to finish before trying again, and will either try a higher one-off dose of Silodosin or try to repeat 8mg for 3 days and see if that works again.

so is your pois right now lasting as long as a normal O eventhoug your realease was less.

[John21 (OP)]

I've also started taking prozac and have been on it for about a week now for anxiety and depression, but I've had a slight hope that it will decrease my libido as well. Perhaps someone else here has noticed a decrease in libido from prozac or some other similar medication?

I had a bad experience with Paxil, I withdrew too quickly when going off it, causing bad symptoms. That really turned me off SSRIs. I recently started taking St John's Wort for my insomnia and so far it looks promising, i am sleeping more soundly. It definately has a mind calming effect for me. I have more trust in herbal methods like that vs meeds. I like to voice that opinion when I hear that someone is starting on SSRIs (especially Paxil). But its my understanding that Prozac isn't so bad because of it's longer half life in the body.  But even so, when you ever go off it do it slooooooooooooowly.

[hurray]

so is your pois right now lasting as long as a normal O eventhoug your realease was less.

I wouldn't say that for sure, since I have a very limited set of data to work from. My fenugreek regime means that POIS symptoms are much less pronounced than they used to be, making it harder for me to determine the severity of my POIS symptoms.

I'll have a better idea after I've done some more experimentation with Silodosin - proving to myself that a dry ejaculation leads to little/no POIS symptoms would be a big plus. A one-off POIS free incident is encouraging, but I would like to repeat that several times before I get too enthusiastic about Silodosin. My first couple of fenugreek Os were completely POIS free, but it hasn't worked 100% effectively for me in the long-term.

[MrMoonJr]

Im actually really happy that as a group of people talking about our experiences, were finding new ideas and ways to cope or even stop our POIS Symptoms. (: I am just starting my long journey to get the proper doctors. I live in Canada and there is always a long wait to be reffered to the right people . I wonder, has anyone mentioned  Silodosin to Dr. Walldinger?
and/or has he had any breakthroughs in research recently?

[Vincent M]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Looking forward to further testing of the silodosin, hurray.

[mellivora]

Dr David Goldmeier, co-author of one of the few papers on POIS, "Postorgasm Illness Syndrome—A Spectrum of Illnesses, Jane Ashby, MRCP, and David Goldmeier, MRCP" has suggested that I post a reminder on the forum that he is willing to see any UK POIS sufferers to investigate their condition further. This is a fantastic opportunity, please don't pass it up. I have recently been to see him. A few other forum members have also apparently been to see him. Although I have so far only had an introductory meeting with him, and so have not much I can report,  I am encouraged by his methodical approach and willingness to investigate further. It is important for him to have as many POIS patients as possible in order to build up a picture of the illness and to gain significant results scientifically.

Dr Goldmeier's email address is David.Goldmeier@imperial.nhs.uk
It took a long time for my initial appointment to come through after my first email to Dr Goldmeier, so I suggest you mail him as soon as possible to set the ball rolling. There are very few people investigating POIS. We need to facilitate their research by taking part. Dr Goldmeier and I were convinced there must be many more sufferers in the UK than the very few who have so far been to see him. I'm not sure how things would work if you are outside the UK and would like to take part in Dr Goldmeier's investigations - I suggest if you are in that position that you email him to find out.

I have recently been to see another Sexual Health specialist more local to me as well - if for no other reason than to spread the word about POIS. She was aware of the illness and very grateful for the most recent POIS papers from Dr Waldinger which I gave her copies of. Please continue to raise awareness by contacting doctors local to you and distributing copies of the latest POIS research papers to them. I know many of you have done more than me in that regard already.

Good luck!

[Vandemolen3]

I had a bad experience with Paxil, I withdrew too quickly when going off it, causing bad symptoms. That really turned me off SSRIs. I recently started taking St John's Wort for my insomnia and so far it looks promising, i am sleeping more soundly. It definately has a mind calming effect for me. I have more trust in herbal methods like that vs meeds. I like to voice that opinion when I hear that someone is starting on SSRIs (especially Paxil). But its my understanding that Prozac isn't so bad because of it's longer half life in the body.  But even so, when you ever go off it do it slooooooooooooowly.

I read that St John's Wort causes insomnia. I have problems with sleeping, with or without POIS. In POIS it get worse. I tried Valerian. But that didn't help. I also read that it's bad to stop with St John's Wort directly. That uou have go off it slowly. And that when you stop you feel worse again. That sounds like an addictive substance.

[John21 (OP)]

I had a bad experience with Paxil, I withdrew too quickly when going off it, causing bad symptoms. That really turned me off SSRIs. I recently started taking St John's Wort for my insomnia and so far it looks promising, i am sleeping more soundly. It definately has a mind calming effect for me. I have more trust in herbal methods like that vs meeds. I like to voice that opinion when I hear that someone is starting on SSRIs (especially Paxil). But its my understanding that Prozac isn't so bad because of it's longer half life in the body.  But even so, when you ever go off it do it slooooooooooooowly.

I read that St John's Wort causes insomnia. I have problems with sleeping, with or without POIS. In POIS it get worse. I tried Valerian. But that didn't help. I also read that it's bad to stop with St John's Wort directly. That uou have go off it slowly. And that when you stop you feel worse again. That sounds like an addictive substance.

Ok thanks for the advice, but so far it seems promising. I am definitely sleeping better, and it seems like I need less sleep per night on it. I have read that it increases deep sleep, so maybe it allows my sleep to be more productive. The only negative is that I feel a bit woozy, but I expect that I am merely taking too much. I have been taking 300mg 3 times daily, but I'm going to reduce to 300mg once daily and see how that feels.

[demografx]

Dr David Goldmeier, co-author of one of the few papers on POIS, "Postorgasm Illness Syndrome—A Spectrum of Illnesses, Jane Ashby, MRCP, and David Goldmeier, MRCP" has suggested that I post a reminder on the forum that he is willing to see any UK POIS sufferers to investigate their condition further. This is a fantastic opportunity, please don't pass it up. I have recently been to see him. A few other forum members have also apparently been to see him. Although I have so far only had an introductory meeting with him, and so have not much I can report,  I am encouraged by his methodical approach and willingness to investigate further. It is important for him to have as many POIS patients as possible in order to build up a picture of the illness and to gain significant results scientifically.

Dr Goldmeier's email address is David.Goldmeier@imperial.nhs.uk
It took a long time for my initial appointment to come through after my first email to Dr Goldmeier, so I suggest you mail him as soon as possible to set the ball rolling. There are very few people investigating POIS. We need to facilitate their research by taking part. Dr Goldmeier and I were convinced there must be many more sufferers in the UK than the very few who have so far been to see him. I'm not sure how things would work if you are outside the UK and would like to take part in Dr Goldmeier's investigations - I suggest if you are in that position that you email him to find out.

I have recently been to see another Sexual Health specialist more local to me as well - if for no other reason than to spread the word about POIS. She was aware of the illness and very grateful for the most recent POIS papers from Dr Waldinger which I gave her copies of. Please continue to raise awareness by contacting doctors local to you and distributing copies of the latest POIS research papers to them. I know many of you have done more than me in that regard already.

Good luck!

Thanks, mellivora! Wonderful to see the medical world embracing POIS!!

[Animus]

Hi Animus,

Sorry, probably should have done 2 seperate posts with the post you've just quoted from me. It's a bit confusing.

The first half is a report on how my Silodosin tests are going - the second part about fenugreek was for the benefit of another poster who was interested in effective fenugreek dosages.

Out of my 3 "Silodosin Os", the first (where I took 8mg for 3 days prior to O) was a complete success, with no ejaculation and no POIS. On my second attempt I did not build up Silodosin in my system and took a single dose of 4mg - this did not work. On my third attempt I also did not build up Silodosin but took a single 8mg dose - this attempt was almost successful, but not quite (I ejaculated a smaller amount of semen after several "dry pumps").

Now I am waiting for my POIS to finish before trying again, and will either try a higher one-off dose of Silodosin or try to repeat 8mg for 3 days and see if that works again.

That is so fantastic. Sounds like your best results were done the first way, and you're going to repeat that again. Was there any problem with the Silodosin, or could you tolerate it pretty well? Any negative side effects?

[hurray]

Dr David Goldmeier, co-author of one of the few papers on POIS, "Postorgasm Illness Syndrome—A Spectrum of Illnesses, Jane Ashby, MRCP, and David Goldmeier, MRCP" has suggested that I post a reminder on the forum that he is willing to see any UK POIS sufferers to investigate their condition further. This is a fantastic opportunity, please don't pass it up.

I would certainly go to see him if I was in the UK, it's a great opportunity for UK POIS sufferers.

[hurray]

That is so fantastic. Sounds like your best results were done the first way, and you're going to repeat that again. Was there any problem with the Silodosin, or could you tolerate it pretty well? Any negative side effects?

The main side-effect was that I was extremely sleepy for several days, rather inconveniently for me. Not POIS sleepy, just sleepy. However, my subsequent doses of Silodosin only made me feel moderately sleepy - another poster suggested that this is a common side-effect with alpha-blockers that would disappear after a couple of weeks.

If it turns out that I'm just swapping one problem for another, I may have to ultimately abandon Silodosin, but I will keep trying for now. Time will tell.

[Nightingale]

Do we have a list somewhere of everyone who has tried progesterone?

I'm curious about this too.


Oh and an update:  I have been using Androgel testosterone gel for 15 days now, and it does nothing for my POIS.