It’s not uncommon to feel tired after sex. Some people are more sensitive to this than others. This is especially true if the sex was fantastic, filled with orgasms and ejaculation.
There are a few reasons why this happens. INSIDER talked to sex therapist Laurie Mintz, sex educator and clinical sexologist Debra Laino and more to figure out why we feel drained after that intimate encounter.
It’s Physically Exhausting
We’ve all seen the caricature of the man and woman collapsing into pillows on their bed after sex, ready to drift off to sleep. While that’s a bit of an exaggeration, it is true that sex can be physically exhausting. This is because sex can cause both blood pressure and heart rate to rise. This can be especially true for people who engage in sexual activities that require more physical exertion.
During sexual arousal, the muscles in your body tighten up, leading to increased pressure on your blood vessels. This can lead to feelings of tiredness because it takes a lot of effort to pump enough blood to stimulate the sex organs. During orgasm, the muscles in your body relax and this can also make you feel tired – This information was prepared by the portal team https://sexybaccarax.com.
After orgasm, oxytocin and prolactin are released. Oxytocin is sometimes referred to as the “cuddle hormone,” while prolactin can make you feel sleepy. When these two chemicals are released together, they can trigger the release of melatonin which is responsible for our sleep cycle. This is why many people find themselves falling asleep quickly after orgasm.
It’s important to understand why you feel tired after sex so that you can take steps to address the problem. If you are consistently feeling exhausted after sex, it’s worth discussing this with your doctor or a therapist to determine the root cause of the issue.
It’s Emotionally Exhausting
We’ve all seen the stereotypical caricature of a man collapsing into pillows on the bed after a good session of heterosexual monogamous sex while his partner sits wide-awake and twiddling her thumbs. This is a bit of an oversimplification but the point remains that sexual activity can make some people feel energized and ready to take on the day while others want nothing more than to curl up in a ball and fall asleep.
In both men and women, a variety of hormones are released during sexual arousal and orgasm that contribute to feelings of tiredness after sex. These include prolactin (which promotes milk production), oxytocin (the “cuddle hormone”), and serotonin (which helps regulate sleep cycles). The combination of these brain chemicals can make some people feel tired after sex.
This is especially true for those who enjoy more intense sex, such as those who love masturbating or have a deep connection with their partners during intercourse. During these types of sessions, the heart rate and blood pressure increase significantly which can cause a feeling of being spent similar to what one feels after completing a cardiovascular workout.
If your tiredness is due to emotional factors, you may need to seek a therapist who can help you work through your issues and restore your energy levels. Talk therapy can be helpful for couples, too, because it allows both partners to discuss any underlying issues that are contributing to the tiredness they feel after sex.
It’s a Release
You’ve probably heard the stereotype that men fall asleep right after sex. It’s a bit of a caricature, but there is some truth to it. Both men and women produce post-orgasm chemicals that can make them feel tired. It has nothing to do with their performance in the bedroom and everything to do with their bodies’ chemical response.
During orgasm, many muscles in the body are engaged and your heart beats up. This can be especially true of explosive orgasms, which is why some people are so exhausted after sex. The good news is that oxytocin and prolactin (the hormones released during climax) have a calming effect on the brain and body, which can help you relax and feel sleepy.
If you’re a woman, your orgasms may be more internal in nature and therefore less energy-consuming. In addition, the release of oxytocin and prolactin during orgasm can also reduce your stress levels and boost feelings of intimacy between partners. This can make you feel calm and ready to relax into your bed for a well-deserved snooze. Of course, you’re not obligated to nap after every orgasm! If you want to cuddle with your partner and chat, it’s perfectly fine. Just be aware of how tired you may feel afterward so that you can plan accordingly. Sleep is essential to your overall health, so don’t ignore it!
It’s Lack of Sleep
Sex is a sexy affair between two people, but it can also drain your energy. That’s because you’re engaging in physical activity between the sheets and you’re also probably drinking alcohol, both of which can deplete your body fluids. That’s why it’s important to get enough rest and stay hydrated before sex.
If you’re a man, you may feel tired after sex due to your hormonal response. During orgasm, your brain releases a cocktail of chemicals that cause sleepiness and relaxation. Prolactin and oxytocin are both released, as well as melatonin, the hormone that controls your body clock. These chemicals are responsible for the natural snooze that many men experience after sex, Bustle reports.
But why does this happen? One theory is that it’s an evolutionary benefit. Male orgasms release a chemical that reduces stress and fosters immobility, which would be helpful for mating and hunting. Sleep, then, could be a way for your body to re-energise itself before the next hunt.
Women, on the other hand, don’t seem to be affected by this same hormonal surge. If they do fall asleep, it is more likely that their partner is the one who pushed them into this state. They are often happy to cuddle and will use this time to take a break from the sexual action.
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