Post orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS): Is it uncommon or unrecognized?

Objectives: To raise awareness among urologists about post orgasmic illness syndrome as a rare male sexual dysfunction for better understanding the underlying pathophysiology and treatment. Methods: In this review, the literature was searched using the PubMed since 2002 to 2024 regarding the medical subject heading terms “post-oragasmic”, “postorgasmic illness syndrome”, an “post-oragasmic illness syndrome” including articles in English language, studies of any design about the post orgasmic illness, and articles that were published in a peer reviewed Journals. Manual reviewing of the listed articles was carried out for relevance. Results: Post orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) describes a group of symptoms affecting some men after ejaculation. POIS is a multisystem manifestation that may be encountered in a small percentage of the male population that is usually overlooked and undermanaged. The syndrome comprised of five preliminary diagnostic criteria. The first criterion identified as disturbed mood, fatigue and muscle aches, irritability and lack of concentration, congestion of the nose and itchy or red eyes. This criterion was further divided into seven anatomical groups and the presence of one of these would fulfil criterion 1. The second criterion is that symptoms start after ejaculation immediately. Third criterion is that symptoms are present in >90% of orgasms. Symptoms disperse after ejaculation within two to seven days as the fourth criterion. The fifth criterion is that symptoms spontaneously vanish. Conclusion: Post-orgasmic illness syndrome is rare disorder hypothesized to be due to allergic or autoimmune response to seminal fluid. Recognizing this syndrome facilitate better conversing and treatment.