Curious about the evidence that arousal and climax can cause measurable shifts after sex in mood, perception, satisfaction and desire? Start here.
Also see Neuroendocrinology and sex for evidence of post-climax neuroendocrine shifts, and Other physiological shifts for evidence of additional measurable changes. Don’t miss these pages either: Too much? and Post-climax cravings.
All of these changes may underlie the shifts in mood, perception, etc. gathered in this section.
Postcoital Symptoms in a Convenience Sample of Men and Women
“Did You Climax or Are You Just Laughing at Me?” Rare Phenomena Associated With Orgasm
Sex and Depression: In the Brain, if Not the Mind [New York Times piece by psychiatrist]
And consider this report: “Sex Life Challenges: The Finnish Case“
Males
Postcoital Dysphoria: Prevalence and Correlates Among Males
Also see Other physiological shifts for research on testosterone, prostate health, semen output, etc. In addition, see Neuroendocrinology and sex, as many of those studies were done on males.
Females
The Association Between Sexual Behavior and Affect: Moderating Factors in Young Women
Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on female sexual behavior
Postcoital Dysphoria: Prevalence and Psychological Correlates
Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity
Sex differences in post-coital behaviors in long- and short-term mating: an evolutionary perspective
Animals
The Evolutionary Origin of Female Orgasm