Studies have shed light on ‘postcoital dysphoria,’ which can affect women and – even more frequently – men after sexual intercourse. This condition may manifest in the form of anxiety, sadness or even irritability.
The expression dates back eighteen centuries – to the Greco-Roman physician Galen, who wrote: “Every animal is sad after coitus, except the woman and the rooster.” Today, science uses less colorful language. The phenomenon is now referred to as “postcoital dysphoria,” characterized by crying, anxiety, sadness, irritability or even aggression. These symptoms may appear after sexual intercourse or even after masturbation.
Contrary to Galen’s assertion, this dysphoria also affects women. In 2011, a study in the International Journal of Sexual Health found that one-third of women had experienced at least one episode of post-coital dysphoria.
However, the numbers are indeed higher in men. A study published in the Journal of Sexual Marital Therapy in 2019, a showed that 41% of men had experienced post-coital sadness. Around 3% felt it after every encounter. In an extreme (and much rarer) form, some men suffer from “POIS,” or post-orgasmic illness syndrome. Ejaculation then brings on flu-like symptoms that can last for several hours or even days. Why so much distress? There are about 20 explanatory theories, but current research suggests multiple factors are involved. This makes treatment complicated.
Why are men (somewhat) more affected than women? Possibly because of the refractory period, which appears to be more pronounced among males in the human species. After ejaculation, the penis becomes hypersensitive and returns to a resting state, with the duration increasing as men age (no, you’re no longer 15). There is no scientific consensus on why men cannot have multiple erections and ejaculations in succession, but two hormones play a crucial role: oxytocin and prolactin.
Of course, we are talking about averages here, as sexual response varies greatly between individuals. Women can also have a hypersensitive clitoris after orgasm. And a few men do not experience any refractory period at all! …
Of course, people live their lives as they wish (and if they want to eat rocks for lunch, who am I to judge). But I can’t help dreaming of a post-Galen world, where, in the enjoyment of the flesh, we would stop being women or men for just a moment, to focus on the wonderful adventure we have just experienced. Post coitum, the animal would be happy – a true pig in clover.
[Perhaps she should try Synergy!]
Read entire article from Le Monde by Maïa Mazaurette
