Man, 22, Allergic to His Own Orgasms — and Symptoms Can Last for Days

A man who experienced extreme physical and mental distress following an orgasm researched his symptoms online — and learned he may have a rare disorder where he’s allergic to his own orgasms.

And it turns out, he was right.

A 22-year-old man sought care after documenting that, for years, he experienced “flu-like symptoms” for several hours after ejaculation, according to the American Journal of Case Reports. He struggled with weakness, malaise, a runny nose, and itchy eyes. His symptoms began about 2-3 hours after ejaculation — and by 8-10 hours, they were worse, progressing to conjunctivitis, abdominal pain, muscle pain — and cognitive impairment that he described as his brain “not functioning.” 

These episodes lasted for 2-3 days, preventing him from going to work, and research notes that due to these reactions, “he avoided sexual activity and had difficulties with relationships.”

He arrived for an evaluation, the clinic notes, “after reading online about hyposensitization to sperm.” However, a skin test determined he wasn’t allergic to his own semen, with doctors concluding that mast cells — a type of immune cells  — were triggering the allergic reaction. 

The condition, post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS), is a rare condition, with “unclear” causes, a study in Nature says, adding that it “affects the quality of life of men.”

In the case of the 22-year-old, he was treated with omalizumab — known in the U.S. as Xolair — which can treat hives and asthma. The omalizumab resulted in a “complete resolution of symptoms,” the case study said, adding that after 7 months, he stopped taking the medication — which resulted in the syndrome’s return. 

“Currently, while on omalizumab, the patient is symptom-free and feels comfortable engaging in sexual activity,” the report says. Given its effectiveness, and the fact that the patient had tried other medication beforehand, with no success, “we recommended that he continues omalizumab for life.”

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