Postorgasmic illness syndrome: a clinical case series of 11 patients
Gokani, Nikunj S; Jacob, Niva; Deshpande, Sandip M
Extract
Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is an uncommon clinical condition that remains poorly defined since its initial description by Waldinger and colleagues in 2002.1 It presents with a constellation of flu-like, somatic, and cognitive symptoms that emerge shortly after ejaculation and persist for several days.1,2
POIS has been reported almost exclusively in men, though its true prevalence is likely underestimated due to lack of recognition.3,4 Proposed mechanisms include immunological hypersensitivity to seminal plasma proteins, neuroendocrine dysfunction, and inflammatory responses.2 Diagnosis is primarily clinical, relying on symptom reproducibility and temporal association with ejaculation.2
This case series reports on 11 consecutive male patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria for POIS, managed in accordance with CARE (CAse REporting) case reporting guidelines. This represents the largest series of POIS cases from India to date.
Data were obtained retrospectively using a standardized, structured proforma adapted from the validated template by Waldinger and his team, ensuring methodological rigor and facilitating comparisons with international literature.2
From 23 suspected POIS cases identified across three multi-city sexual health clinics in India between 2023 and 2025, 11 consecutive patients fulfilling Waldinger diagnostic criteria were included. Patients with alternative diagnoses that could explain the presenting symptoms (eg, chronic fatigue syndrome or allergic conditions) were excluded. These patients were recruited through a collaborative digital sexual health registry. Informed consent was secured from all participants for anonymized data inclusion and publication.
The proforma, digitized via Google Forms, systematically captured demographic details, symptom onset, duration and severity, sexual dysfunction, psychiatric and medical comorbidities, relevant investigations, treatment histories, and follow-up outcomes. This standardized approach strengthens the validity and reliability of the collected data, aligning with best practices for case series reporting.
Web | DOI | PDF | The Journal of Sexual Medicine | Paywall
Gokani, Nikunj S; Jacob, Niva; Deshpande, Sandip M
Extract
Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is an uncommon clinical condition that remains poorly defined since its initial description by Waldinger and colleagues in 2002.1 It presents with a constellation of flu-like, somatic, and cognitive symptoms that emerge shortly after ejaculation and persist for several days.1,2
POIS has been reported almost exclusively in men, though its true prevalence is likely underestimated due to lack of recognition.3,4 Proposed mechanisms include immunological hypersensitivity to seminal plasma proteins, neuroendocrine dysfunction, and inflammatory responses.2 Diagnosis is primarily clinical, relying on symptom reproducibility and temporal association with ejaculation.2
This case series reports on 11 consecutive male patients fulfilling diagnostic criteria for POIS, managed in accordance with CARE (CAse REporting) case reporting guidelines. This represents the largest series of POIS cases from India to date.
Data were obtained retrospectively using a standardized, structured proforma adapted from the validated template by Waldinger and his team, ensuring methodological rigor and facilitating comparisons with international literature.2
From 23 suspected POIS cases identified across three multi-city sexual health clinics in India between 2023 and 2025, 11 consecutive patients fulfilling Waldinger diagnostic criteria were included. Patients with alternative diagnoses that could explain the presenting symptoms (eg, chronic fatigue syndrome or allergic conditions) were excluded. These patients were recruited through a collaborative digital sexual health registry. Informed consent was secured from all participants for anonymized data inclusion and publication.
The proforma, digitized via Google Forms, systematically captured demographic details, symptom onset, duration and severity, sexual dysfunction, psychiatric and medical comorbidities, relevant investigations, treatment histories, and follow-up outcomes. This standardized approach strengthens the validity and reliability of the collected data, aligning with best practices for case series reporting.
Web | DOI | PDF | The Journal of Sexual Medicine | Paywall