Sexual orgasm as a trigger for reflex epilepsy

Epileptic Disord. 2021 Dec 1;23(6):923-926. doi: 10.1684/epd.2021.1352.

Abstract

Reflex epilepsy is a syndrome in which seizures can be elicited by a specific afferent sensory stimulus or an activity undertaken by the patient. Among all reported stimuli, orgasm has rarely been mentioned. We describe a woman presenting with seizures following orgasm. On interictal EEG, no epileptiform activity was found, even during hyperventilation. Brain MRI showed a small cyst next to the right choroid fissure, modulating the superior surface of the right hippocampus. We reviewed all published case reports of reflex epilepsy induced by orgasm in order to compare clinical, electroencephalographic and neuroimaging findings.

Keywords: orgasm; reflex epilepsy.

MeSH terms

  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy, Reflex* / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Neuroimaging
  • Orgasm
  • Seizures