Sex Marathon Coupled With Ecstasy Left a Man in Septic Shock and Might Lead to Genital Amputation

Aside from pleasure and personal fulfillment, sex can provide an individual with many physical and emotional benefits. It reduces the risk of heart disease and improves mental health. However, some people try various sex-related activities, which are illegal and can also bring health problems.

From Pleasure to Agony

Local media in Italy reported a case of a man who faced serious health problems due to prolonged sexual activity. A 50-year-old German tourist traveled to Castel del Piano, a popular tourist spot in Tuscany, Italy. He and his wife took MDMA, also known as ecstasy, to help them in their sexual performance. After participating in a 24-hour drug-fueled sex marathon, the man was left with septic shock.

He was sent to Misericordia Hospital in Grosseto, Italy, and underwent intensive care for one week. Engaging in chemsex led to serious health consequences for the man. The septic shock has likely led to cell death in his penis and scrotum, impairing his ability to get an erection. Although he is still recovering in the hospital, the man might face genital amputation.

Ecstasy is a synthetic drug that acts as a stimulant to the nervous system. Since it causes hallucinations in high doses, it can make a person more sensual with an increased feeling of intimacy when used during sex. However, ecstasy can also suppress the immune system, making users more vulnerable to infections. During prolonged sexual activity, ecstasy can lead to penile abrasions and provide a route for pathogens to enter the bloodstream.

Studies about the effects of drugs and excessive sex focus more on sexually transmitted diseases between men having sex with men. The susceptibility to infection is not limited to same-sex partners.

As the infection enters the bloodstream, a person's immune system might overreact and release substances that damage the user's cells. This condition can result in sepsis, tissue damage, organ failure, and death.

What is Septic Shock?

According to NHS Inform, septic shock is a condition that occurs when the blood pressure dangerously drops to a lower level following an infection. Any bacteria can cause it, but fungi and viruses can also trigger it. This disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with a mortality rate of 20-50%.

Initially, bloodstream infection can lead to symptoms such as weakness, chills, and rapid heart and breathing rate. If left untreated, the toxins can harm the small blood vessels and cause them to leak into the nearby tissues.

Individuals with weak immune systems have a higher possibility of developing septic shock. This includes newborn babies, older adults, and pregnant women. However, epidemiological studies reveal that males are more prone than females to acquiring severe sepsis. Studies reveal that men suffering from sepsis have a 70% greater mortality rate than women. The high mortality is linked to the differences in respiratory tract infection rates between males and females.