Chapter Twelve: Sexual Illnesses: Fainting, Dizziness, Spasms, and Aphasia during Sexual Intercourse

Chapter Twelve: Bedtime Ailments

What is sexual dysfunction?

Sexual dysfunction, also known as sexually transmitted diseases or sexually abnormal diseases, refers to physical discomfort or pathological phenomena caused by sexual activity, occurring during or after intercourse. There are many manifestations of sexual dysfunction, such as post-coital fainting, post-coital diarrhea, post-coital lower back pain, and post-coital penile pain, among more than 20 common conditions. Due to the diverse clinical presentations, it is difficult to pinpoint a common cause; sexual activity is only a contributing factor to certain symptoms. Scattered case records exist in both modern clinical practice and ancient medical historical materials. Currently, Western medicine has not reached a definitive conclusion regarding these conditions.

What is sexual syncope?

Coma syncope, also known as sexual syncope or sexual ecstasy, refers to sudden fainting during sexual intercourse or at the point of orgasm. It is most common in middle-aged men, occurring suddenly during intercourse or at the point of orgasm. Symptoms include loss of consciousness, cold extremities, lower abdominal pain, scrotal and testicular retraction, profuse sweating, and shortness of breath. Mild cases involve short-lived fainting spells with gradual recovery, without sequelae such as hemiplegia, aphasia, or facial paralysis. Severe cases can lead to death.

What are the causes of syncope during intercourse according to Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Those who are physically weak, or have just recovered from a long illness and whose vital energy has not yet been restored, may experience a sudden ejaculation if they indulge in excessive sexual activity or have prolonged sexual intercourse. This is often seen in people who have been abstaining from sexual activity for a long time.

The patient has a constitution of yin deficiency, internal heat disturbing the body, and excessive sexual activity.

When emotions are not in harmony, liver qi is depressed, or one is angry or upset, or desires are not fulfilled, qi flow becomes disordered, which can lead to sudden fainting.

In summary, fainting during intercourse is mainly caused by excessive ejaculation, resulting in a sudden depletion of yin essence and loss of qi along with the semen; or by yin deficiency and excessive fire, with desire rising upwards and blood flowing backwards with the fire; or by qi stagnation, which leads to an imbalance of yin and yang and a disorder of qi.

What are the Western medical causes of syncope during intercourse?

In Western medicine, syncope during sexual intercourse is considered unrelated to sexual activity. Syncope is a sudden, reversible, transient loss of consciousness and peripheral circulatory disturbance, mostly caused by cerebral ischemia, hypoxia, and hypoglycemia. Based on its cause, syncope can be classified into four main categories: decreased cerebral perfusion pressure, vasospasm, changes in blood chemistry, and neuropsychiatric factors. However, it cannot be ruled out that the patient has a pre-existing serious organic disease, which could be induced by sexual activity, leading to prolonged syncope, or even death.

What are the prognosis and outcome of sexual syncope?

Most patients who experience syncope during intercourse recover on their own. In a small number of patients, due to weak constitution or pre-existing conditions, syncope during intercourse can worsen their condition and even lead to death due to failure to regain consciousness in time. However, with timely and correct treatment, most patients have a good prognosis.

How to prevent sexual fainting

Practice moderation in sexual activity and avoid excessive indulgence to prevent damage to your essence and energy; pay attention to emotional regulation, maintain a cheerful mood, and avoid anger and resentment that can harm your liver; strengthen physical exercise to enhance your disease resistance.

What is sexual dizziness?

Dizziness after sexual intercourse refers to a condition characterized by lightheadedness and blurred vision, or a feeling of being on a boat or in a moving vehicle, during or after sexual intercourse. This condition often occurs in individuals with a constitution of Yang deficiency and excessive phlegm. It usually resolves spontaneously with rest, but in a few cases, it becomes persistent and difficult to cure, and is easily triggered by sexual intercourse. This condition presents with the same clinical manifestations as vertigo, but is triggered by sexual intercourse. It is often caused by a constitution of Yang deficiency, liver cold, and upward flow of phlegm; while the causes of general vertigo are more complex, including internal liver wind, liver Yang hyperactivity, Qi and blood deficiency leading to malnourishment of the brain, or phlegm obstruction preventing the ascent of clear Yang, etc.

Prevention and treatment of vertigo during sexual intercourse

If dizziness after sexual activity is not treated promptly and is allowed to recur, it may worsen with sexual activity. However, with timely and proper treatment, proper care, and moderation in sexual activity, the condition can often be cured with a good prognosis.

Pay attention to dietary adjustments; maintain a cheerful mood and emotional stability; avoid excessive sexual activity; get enough rest, and consider having sexual intercourse in the morning upon waking. For those experiencing symptoms, don't be overly anxious; resting in a supine position often provides relief. Avoid sexual intercourse during treatment. Also, be sure to treat any other underlying medical conditions promptly.

What is sexual spasm?

Sexual spasm, also known as sexual mania, refers to a condition characterized by sudden, transient chills and limb convulsions during orgasm, which resolve spontaneously. This condition is extremely rare clinically. Traditional Chinese medicine often attributes it to deficiency of the heart and spleen, and the accumulation of dampness and phlegm.

Causes of sexual spasm

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that excessive mental exertion damages the heart and spleen, leading to spleen deficiency and impaired function, resulting in the accumulation of dampness, the generation of phlegm, and the obstruction of the meridians. When the meridians are blocked, wind can cause convulsions, and phlegm obstruction can cause blood and qi to stagnate, resulting in chills.

Prognosis and outcome of orgasmic spasm

Erosional spasm rarely develops into other conditions, but without treatment, in addition to an increased frequency and duration of attacks, it can severely impact sexual life and even marital relationships. Prompt, timely, and proper treatment can often prevent recurrence.

Prevention of sexual spasm

Eat less rich, spicy, and greasy foods, and avoid sexual intercourse when overworked or hungry. If you have low blood pressure, low blood sugar, or serious arrhythmia, seek medical treatment promptly.

What is sexual aphasia?

Coitus aphasia refers to the sudden loss of speech or difficulty in pronunciation after sexual intercourse, while the person remains conscious. It usually resolves spontaneously within a few hours, but in severe cases, the aphasia can last for several days. It is extremely rare in clinical practice.

Causes of sexual speechlessness

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that a strong libido and frequent sexual intercourse in a short period of time deplete kidney yin. Insufficient kidney yin leads to a lack of nourishment for the upper body, inevitably causing depletion of fluids in the lungs and epiglottis, resulting in aphasia. Individuals with inherent kidney yin deficiency may also experience aphasia during sexual intercourse.

Prevention of sexual aphasia

Practice moderation in sexual activity and avoid excessive indulgence. Strengthen your body through regular exercise and a balanced diet.