Orgasms have been shown to bring on epileptic seizures in certain people, according to research. Following an orgasmic experience, the seizure may occur anywhere from a few seconds to two hours later.
It is quite unusual for a seizure to follow an orgasmic experience. On the other hand, there have been published medical case reports regarding the occurrence by a few researchers.
This piece examines the theory behind orgasm-induced seizures as well as a few case reports to illustrate the phenomenon. This article also examines the symptoms of orgasm-induced epileptic seizures as well as remedies for them.
What exactly are these seizures?
A seizure happens when aberrant electrical activity in the brain causes abrupt changes in the body, which manifest as quick bodily changes.
A seizure can strike anybody, at any moment, and for no apparent reason.
Convulsions and trembling of the body that a person is unable to stop during a seizure are common images that come to mind when people think about seizures. On the other hand, not every seizure will result in similar symptoms.
There are two categories of seizures, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a reliable source. These seizures can be categorised as either widespread onset or localised onset.
The seizures that make up each of these conditions are all distinct from one another in their presentation.
Generalized onset seizures
Seizures with a generalised onset involve activity on both the right and left sides of the brain. In most cases, the seizures only persist for a few minutes. The following are examples of generalised seizure types:
- Tonic-clonic seizures are the most common sort of seizure, and a person who is having one may yell out or even lose consciousness. They could also feel falling to the ground in addition to muscular spasms or jerks. After having this kind of seizure, a person may have feelings of exhaustion.
- Absence seizures are characterised by rapid blinking or staring into space on the part of the patient.
- Atonic seizures cause a person’s muscles to go limp, and they cause the individual to collapse to the ground.
Seizures with a focal onset, also known as partial seizures, manifest themselves in a single region of the brain. The following are examples of the many forms of focal seizures:
Simple focused seizures can cause a person to twitch or experience changes in sensation, including unusual odours and tastes. These seizures can also cause a person to have epileptic convulsions.
When a person is having complex focal seizures, they may feel bewildered or confused. In the minutes immediately following the seizure, it’s possible that they won’t be able to respond to queries or follow directions.
A person can have a focal seizure, then follow it up with a generalised seizure, which is known as a secondary generalised seizure.
About epilepsy
If a person has had two or more seizures, a healthcare expert will likely identify them as having epilepsy, as stated by the CDCReliable Source.
There is more than one sort of seizure that can occur in a person who has epilepsy.
Epilepsy can have a variety of causes, including but not limited to brain tumours, strokes, and head traumas. However, not every instance of epilepsy can be traced back to a specific trigger.
Is it possible for orgasms to bring on seizures?
There have only been a relatively small number of research that have found a correlation between orgasms or sexual activity and epileptic seizures. Seizures brought on by orgasm are a very uncommon event, according to the majority of researchers’ opinions.
Certain types of seizures can be brought on by certain triggers. These sorts of seizures are referred to as “reflex seizures” by medical professionals.
Reflex seizures can be brought on by a variety of sensory cues, including light, sound, or movement. The most prevalent form of this condition is photosensitive epilepsy, in which brief exposure to bright lights can trigger seizures.
On the other hand, some academics have looked at specific case studies to see if orgasms or sexual encounters can provoke reflex seizures.
As an illustration, a research from 2015
A reliable source described an unusual instance in which a man had his first seizure as a loss of consciousness soon after ejaculating, which was then followed by a few minutes of tonic-clonic movements. This case was an exception to the rule.
After the initial seizure, the individual originally discovered that the seizures only happened after they had engaged in sexual activity. After a period of three years, the seizures started occurring more often throughout the normal routines of daily life. There was no clear reason why the seizures were happening.
A case report involving a 42-year-old guy who experienced a generalised tonic-clonic seizure after ejaculating was also discussed in depth in a literature review conducted in 2021. This occurred a year after his initial seizure had occurred.
The researchers looked through several medical databases to identify other case studies that were comparable in order to obtain a sense of how often this occurrence is. They discovered an additional 14 incidences of epilepsy brought on by orgasming.
Symptoms
According to the findings of the study that was conducted in 2021, the amount of time that passed between the orgasmic experience and the seizure varied anywhere from a few seconds to two hours.
Eight persons out of the fifteen case studies experienced focal seizures, some of which were accompanied by reduced consciousness. Two individuals experienced secondary generalised seizures, while the remaining five suffered from tonic-clonic seizures.
This indicates that focal seizures were the most prevalent form of orgasm-induced seizure. [Citation needed]
A person who is having a simple focused seizure could be cognizant and aware of what is going on around them during the seizure. Among the symptoms are:
a general sense of unease, perhaps accompanied by peculiar scents or flavours déjà vu, also known as the impression that something similar has occurred in the past tingling in the limbs
tremors or stiffness in a particular region of the body, such as the hand
In addition to simple focal seizures, the research participants also had complex focal seizures on a regular basis. It is possible that the individual will not be aware of what is taking place and will not recall what occurred during the seizure.
Involuntary motions of the body that the individual experiencing the seizure is not aware of are one of the symptoms of a complex focal seizure.
motions of the arms at random
producing strange noises
playing around with various things
The initial treatment of seizures
Seizures might not usually necessitate immediate medical intervention.
On the other hand, a person is advised to dial 911 by the CDCTrusted Source whenever one or more of the following conditions are present:
The individual in question has never experienced a seizure previously, and the duration of the current seizure is greater than five minutes.
the individual experiences a second seizure not long after the initial one; the individual has trouble breathing or waking up after the seizure;
During the fit, the patient sustains an injury.
The attack takes place in the water.
The individual is suffering from a chronic ailment, such as diabetes or heart disease.
The individual is carrying a child.
It is feasible to provide assistance to a person suffering a seizure even if they do not require medical treatment if none of these circumstances apply. To do this, a person has to:
Stay with the person until the seizure passes and they are fully alert. Whether the individual is standing, drop them gently to the ground and lay a cushion or jacket under their head to minimise damage. Check to determine if the individual is wearing a medical bracelet.
After the fit has passed, they should maintain their composure as well as the composure of those around them, get the individual to a secure location, and then quietly and clearly explain what has occurred.
determinants of risk
People who have epilepsy may have an increased chance of experiencing seizures due to a number of causes, including the following:
stress
sleep deprivation
undereating
consuming alcoholic beverages or taking other medicines
ignoring the need to take medicine for epilepsy
Treatments
According to the research done in 2015 by Trusted Source, the individual was able to control their seizures by taking daily doses of 100 mg of sodium valproate and levetiracetam.
According to the findings of the review published in 2021, medical professionals administered levetiracetam, valproic acid, and lamotrigine to five patients who had suffered orgasm-induced seizures. Three patients required combined therapy with anticonvulsant medications, while four patients required surgical intervention.
There is no cure for epilepsy at this time; however, many people are able to manage the frequency and severity of their seizures with the use of medication. It’s possible for someone to gradually increase their dose.
Additional methods of treating epilepsy include the following:
Implanting a device into the patient’s brain that modulates the activity of electrical impulses is what neuromodulation refers to.
Yoga, meditation, and other mind-and-body techniques like these, together with the use of herbal supplements, are examples of alternative treatments. It’s possible that some people will choose to treat their disease with both alternative therapies and traditional medicine.
Dietary therapy: adhering to the keto diet in addition to a person’s usual treatment may assist in the management of epilepsy in some cases.
Surgery is an option that some patients may choose to pursue if they find that no other therapies are successful. A person should talk to a healthcare expert about the alternatives that are available to them.