Hyposensitization therapy with autologous semen in two Dutch caucasian males: beneficial effects in Postorgasmic Illness Syndrome (POIS; Part 2).

INTRODUCTION

Postorgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a post-ejaculatory complex of local and/or systemic symptoms that nearly always occurs within seconds, minutes, or hours post-masturbation, coitus, or spontaneous ejaculation. Recent data suggest an autoimmunogenic/allergic underlying mechanism.

AIM: To treat males with POIS by hyposensitization with their own semen (autologous semen).

METHODS

Two males suffering from POIS, of which one male with coincidental lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) were investigated. Based on their local and systemic symptoms including a positive dermatologic reaction after skin-prick testing with autologous semen, auto-allergy to semen was likely an underlying mechanism. A hyposensitization program was initiated, including multiple subcutaneous (SC) injections with autologous semen, initially at 2 weeks intervals in the first year and gradually at 4 weeks intervals in the second and third year. From initial semen dilutions of 1 on 40,000 and 1 on 20,000, the titers were gradually increased to 1 on 20 and 1 to 280, respectively.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evaluation with a dedicated questionnaire about severity of POIS symptoms and specialized interviews on self-perceived intravaginal ejaculation latency times (IELT) before and during the desensitization program.

RESULTS

POIS was confirmed in both subjects, PE was confirmed in one male, and skin-prick tests with autologous semen in both subjects were positive. During the program, gradual reduction of complaints resulted in 60% and 90% amelioration of POIS complaints at 31 and 15 months, respectively, which coincided in one male with a delay of the IELT from 20 seconds at baseline to 10 minutes after 3 years of treatment. The cause of this association with IELT is unknown and remains to be elucidated.

CONCLUSIONS

Two males with POIS were successfully treated by hyposensitization with autologous semen, which supports an immunogenic/allergic etiology and underscores the clinical implication for immunological sexual medicine.