Dr. Richards,

I have been suffering from overmasterbation symptoms for a few years now. The most debilitating symptom is PSAS like symptoms. Through much research I have found that this is due to inflammation and specifically from too much Prostaglandin E2 production. After having blood work done several times, my testosterone and sex hormones are perfectly fine and actually pretty high for my age. (I am 24). Yet I still suffer from erectile dysfunction sometimes and I also always have the urge to orgasm and my testicles are constantly in pain. I know this is from inflammation probably pushing on nerves. This has been going on for a few years now. I also have other inflammation symptoms in my body like dermatitis in my hands, high blood pressure (although I am very active and in good physical shape), difficulty breathing and inflammation of my nasal passages and airway. All of these symptoms are virtually ruining my quality of life and I just want to get my normal healthy life back.

I have stopped masterbation and even orgasming itself for a few months at a time, yet this doesn’t seem to help my symptoms at all. I have also been supplementing with about 20 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) a day to try to decrease prostaglandin e2 production yet this doesn’t seem to help either even after a few months. I also supplement 5-HTP to increase serotonin production everyday. I am desperate now. Is my inflammation so great that it needs something stronger? I have contemplated trying an oral steroid to see if that would help with the inflammation, although I am hesitant because I am aware of the dangerous side effects. I just need some answers and some help please. It is hard to live like this and don’t want to continue doing so. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

ANSWER
Yes, you are suffering from symptoms of sexual exhaustion.

There is a time frame, usually, during which one will suffer from excessive inflammatory response for abnormal prostaglandin E2, histamine, glutamate, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol levels, while his hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-testicular axis is still functioning properly for normal androgen hormones production. So one will suffer the negative effects of internal inflammation, that through individual gene expressions will take numerous possible manifestations, the most severe of which will be abnormal immune responses, artery constriction, and numerous inflammations of vital organs. Also, excessive prostaglandin E2 will exert an excitatory effect on the prostate, penile tissues, and brain, leaving you in heat for PSAS like symptoms. The cycle will be reinforced every time one engages in sexual activities and will continue until has completely ruined proper nervous and endocrine functioning and killed hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-testicular functioning for less androgens. Even then, one may suffer from PSAS but will be unable to physically achieve erection and will finally come to the conclusion that something’s wrong.

The inflammation is usually a self supporting condition through numerous mechanisms – negative neuroplasticity, artery constriction, overburdened liver functioning, low androgens (not in this case), which means that inflammation will promote more inflammation in a vicious cycle that has to be broken.

The good news is that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-testicular axis is not locked, so you may expect to recover more quickly than others who have killed their axis proper functioning.
Just random set of supplements won’t prove to be very effective since the cycle of inflammation has to be addressed properly to avoid any negative feedback reactions.

On top of the abstinence I would suggest: Zeolite-DA, Alpha-Amino, GRB6-GABA, 5HTP-Nettle, Multi-Alpha, and Ultra-Purified-FishOil to better nervous and endocrine functioning, stabilize acetylcholine, serotonin, dopamine, and GABA levels, aid the nervous modulation on excitatory and inflammatory response, detoxify and better proper liver functioning, increase androgen hormones, and increase prostaglandin E1 E3 and Nitric Oxide.

UPDATE
Dr. Richards,
I am not doing so well with the recovery. I know from all of the symptoms that I have sexual exhaustion, and I have been suffering from these symptoms for over 5 years now. I have stopped all sexual activities for over 2 months, began taking the supplements you suggested, and trying to rest as often as possible. I even have been consulting with a nutritionist who specializes in dealing with adrenal exhaustion cases. I haven’t had much progress in any of the symptoms. Could my case just be severe and take longer to see results or is this going to be permanent? I cannot live like this anymore. I must recover or really my life is not worth living. I thank you for your site and information and plead for any further guidance. If you could help me recover from this you would single-handedly be giving me my life back and you have no idea how great that would be for me. Thank you for your time.

ANSWER
About 5-10% of the sexual exhaustion cases do not recover completely. However, they are usually associated with many years of sexual exhaustion (more than 10), as well as chronic alcohol and drug abuse to permanently damage nervous and endocrine functioning.

It is quite unusual not to experience improvements. The ongoing inflammation, even with the problems addressed, may be indicative of a strong negative neuroplasticity developed and/or slow brain adaptive properties. To rule out this possibility, my suggestion is treatment continuation for 2 more months. External irritants present for severe autoimmune and allergic reactions is another viable possibility.

Please, keep me informed!