Successful treatment of Post-orgasmic illness syndrome with human chorionic gonadotropin

Abstract

Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is an uncommon condition in which men experience debilitating symptoms following orgasm, including anxiety, weakness, and lassitude. The etiology is unknown, and treatment challenging. We present a 25y man with POIS since puberty. He dreaded ejaculation due to his subsequent symptoms. Multiple prior treatments had failed. Blood tests revealed testosterone (T) deficiency. hCG was prescribed. At 6 weeks T levels normalized with near-complete resolution of symptoms. This successful result argues for hormonal investigation in men with POIS, and a trial of hCG or T therapy if total or free T is low or borderline.