One thing I learnt is that long term absolute abstinence can have a worse effect than moderate abstinence. I found that if I abstain for maybe 1-2 weeks, then have sex with someone I feel comfortable with (girlfriend/bestfriend), and I don't allow myself to feel guilty (since the sex was special), then I don't feel such strong POIS. It is clear to me that my state of mind just before, and just after sex, influences my POIS, so if I feel secure afterwards, with cuddles and stuff, the anxiety, inflammation, and pain, is less severe, perhaps because it is the anxiety itself that amplifies the symptoms of POIS, so less anxiety means less POIS. At least, this is the case with me.
So what do I do to cope with POIS? Weed with cigarettes often, but I feel that more than one cigarette makes my anxiety, and consequently my POIS, worse. For me, weed and cigarettes balance each other out. In addition to that I also consume herbal tinctures: Camomile, Passion Flower, Devils Claw, and Chaste Berry. I can tell you with certainty, that the Camomile Tincture works well at reducing anxiety. I'm not sure if the others do anything, but the placebo effect may be helping.