Maietta Luke N, Bronson Isaac, Cabral Michael, Stokes Cameron, Radillo Mendoza Karla, Johnson Olivia, Banerjee Dipavo, Rothschild Anthony J, Rubin Rachel S
University of Massachusetts T.H. Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
Int J Impot Res. 2025 Jun 16. doi: 10.1038/s41443-025-01103-9.
Post-Orgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS) is a rare medical condition characterized by a range of distressing physical and cognitive symptoms that occur following ejaculation in affected individuals. Little is known about the complex interaction between self-esteem and relationship factors that affect those living with POIS. This study investigated the impact of POIS on intimate relationships and feelings of isolation and stigmatization, including questions related to personal and partner control over symptoms. Furthermore, it aims to provide a clinical framework for addressing the psychosocial concerns of this patient population and their partners. Eighty-three patients (76.3% white, 37.5% with Bachelor's degree, 73.8% middle income or higher) with POIS completed the Sexual Dysfunction Attribution Scale (SDAS) as part of the larger survey study. Surveys were distributed via social media, online groups, and forums including the subreddit: "POIS", Twitter, and "POISCENTER" and were completed between 05/21/24-06/09/24. Descriptive, exploratory, and demographic data of the participants are provided from this survey. Patients with POIS were likely to report feeling no personal control over their symptoms (81.9%), feeling that their symptoms would "always be present" (96.4%), and feeling that they were personally to blame for their sexual dysfunction (60.2%). Overall, 80.7% reported that their symptoms negatively affected their relationships, and 37.3% reported not having sex within the past year. Our results can help providers to understand the experiences of patients with POIS and equip them to recommend the appropriate resources. Further research may use advanced analytical and qualitative techniques to better elucidate this population's challenges.
射精后疾病综合征（POIS）是一种罕见的医学病症，其特征是受影响个体在射精后会出现一系列令人痛苦的身体和认知症状。对于影响POIS患者的自尊与人际关系因素之间的复杂相互作用，我们知之甚少。本研究调查了POIS对亲密关系以及孤独感和污名化感受的影响，包括与个人及伴侣对症状控制相关的问题。此外，其旨在提供一个临床框架，以解决该患者群体及其伴侣的心理社会问题。83名患有POIS的患者（76.3%为白人，37.5%拥有学士学位，73.8%为中等收入或更高收入）完成了性功能障碍归因量表（SDAS），作为更大规模调查研究的一部分。调查问卷通过社交媒体、在线群组和论坛分发，包括子版块“POIS”、推特和“POISCENTER”，并于2024年5月21日至2024年6月9日期间完成。本次调查提供了参与者的描述性、探索性和人口统计学数据。患有POIS的患者很可能报告感觉自己无法控制症状（81.9%），感觉症状“将永远存在”（96.4%），并认为自己应对性功能障碍负责（60.2%）。总体而言，80.7%的人报告称他们的症状对其人际关系产生了负面影响，37.3%的人报告在过去一年没有过性行为。我们的研究结果可以帮助医疗服务提供者了解POIS患者的经历，并使他们能够推荐合适的资源。进一步的研究可以使用先进的分析和定性技术，以更好地阐明该人群所面临的挑战。
