Transient sixth cranial nerve palsy following orgasm abrogated by treatment with sympathomimetic amines.

PURPOSE: To describe a unique disorder where a transient 6th nerve palsy leading to diploplia following orgasm developed in a 28-year-old woman. This coincided with a weight gain of 100 pounds in a short time without a corresponding change in dietary habits.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

She was treated with the sympathomimetic amine dextroamphetamine sulfate.

RESULTS

Indeed she immediately responded to treatment with dextroamphetamine sulfate sustained release capsules with complete resolution of the episodes of 6th nerve palsy following orgasm.

CONCLUSIONS

The main importance of this case is that it suggests that orgasm causes a transient generalized decrease in sympathetic nervous system activity and that the achievement of an orgasm may require an increase in the sympathetic nervous system activity.