Yes, I've heard that deep breathing is very stabilising for the nervous system, and heart beat. its also oxygenationg the body.
I also experience the "balloon" feeling inside the head (in POIS) which feels like there is a very unpleasant pressure behind the nose, deep in the brain. I also believe it might originate from the pituitary/hypothalamus. I've made a poll about signs of decrease pituitary/hypothalamus function. My hypothesis is that an inflamed pituitary/hypothalamus is causing many of the POIS symptoms.
Exactly, that is what it feels like for me too. Since there seems to be a connection between POIS and stress (as in, stress worsens POIS for most people), and the hypothalamus links the nervous and endocrine systems by way of the pituitary gland, it does seem likely that something isn't working properly here. Plus, the hypothalamus is the part of the brain that regulates temperature and heart rate, and both parameters are normally altered during POIS. But if there's something wrong with the hypothalamus, that's a serious thing, I hope it's just being influenced by some other imbalance in the body.
Deficiencies of any these hormones is a sign of compromised function in the pituitary and hypothalamus:
Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) (targets the Adrenals)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) (targets the Thyroid, temperature controlling, heart rate)
Luteinising hormone (LH) (targets the testes)
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) (targets the testes)
Prolactin (PRL)
Growth hormone (GH) (Stimulates growth and repair)
Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH)
Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) (Controls the blood fluid and mineral levels in the body by affecting water retention by the kidneys. This hormone is also known vasopressin or argenine vasopressin (AVP)). Deficiency leads to dryeness, low blood pressure and varicose veins.
Oxytocin (anabolic hormone that heals osteoporosis)
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (helps regulate metabolism and immune response by working with the pituitary gland and adrenal gland to release certain steroids)
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (instructs the pituitary gland to release more hormones that keep the sexual organs working)
Prolactin-controlling hormones
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (activates the thyroid, which releases the hormones that regulate metabolism, energy levels, and developmental growth)
Thank you for all this info! I'm on the lookout for things to measure in blood tests, so I'll add these to my list and see if I can manage to measure any of them.
It's interesting that you mention the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), because most of the time, during POIS, I'm very thirsty but can't stop urinating all the time, it seems like I lose more water than the amount I'm drinking.
You can answer the poll here. And please do my other polls listed in my personal history here.
Done! As the polls are anonymous, I'll add my answers here too, with a bit more information:
No, I've never had them.
- Do you experience hypothalamus deficiency symptoms?
The symptoms from this list that I've experienced, and only during POIS episodes, are: feeling irritable, mood swings, weight loss, disturbances in vision, hair loss, and headache (this one happens very rarely in my case, and is most likely related to dehydration).
- Is your cortisol high or low?
Normal: 19.0 micrograms/dL (6.7-22.6 being the normal range). I only measured it once though, and I was not experiencing POIS symptoms at the time.
- What is the rise in your HR between lying down and after standing up?
I only experienced this symptom while we were using bleach at home, even though I clearly have lasting damage. At its worst, it was around 20-25 BPM. Now it almost doesn't change.
- How does your stool (poop) change during POIS?
During my first years with POIS, I often had diarrhea during my episodes. Now, when there is a change, it's towards constipation. My personal opinion on this is that the nerve fibers that control bowel movements are affected.
- Do you have any of those symptoms assosiated with EDS (Ehlers-Danlos syndrom)?
Very easy bruising of the skin. Fatigue only happens during POIS.
- Are you the youngest sibling?
I'm an only child. However I don't think it matters much.
- What's your normal blood pressure (SYS/DIA)?
I don't remember the numbers, but doctors always say they are "textbook values".
- Do you experience dryness during a period of POIS?
Less saliva (dry mouth). I always feel like I need to double my water intake during POIS (metabolism speeds up?).
- Do you have kidney problems?
No, not at all.
- How many hours on average a day, do you spend staring at a computer screen?
It depends. I almost didn't use computers until I was 17, and even now I try to stay away from phones, screens and radiation in general as much as possible. But during some periods, especially before exams, I've spent as much as 8 hours working on my laptop. Now it's usually around 1-2 hours per day, but still, some days I don't use computers at all, and I don't use a smartphone anymore.
- Do you have Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)?
I can't be sure, but I don't think so. I usually eat a lot, I eat a varied diet (but all organic), and don't have any stomach or intestinal problems.
- Whats the duration of your POIS symptoms?
It ranges from 5 to 15 days, but usually a week.
Does anyone have any idea of exactly what substance released from the brain that is the cause of the instant headache that comes seconds after orgasm?
I don't think it's a particular substance, apparently "sex headaches" are relatively common but the causes can vary from person to person and they are more common in people already suffering from migraines. According to
this site, they can be caused by an intracranial aneurysm, or inflammation, or medications... I personally don't experience this at all.