(Photo credit: QUT Marketing & Communication)
QUEENSLAND, Australia — Having sex may feel like a badge of honor for many men, but for others, it’s an act that, once finished, brings about intense feelings of sadness. In a new study, researchers for the first time ever have identified that women aren’t the only ones who can suffer from this emotional tidal wave in the bedroom, better known as post coital dysphoria, or PCD.
PCD occurs when a person has, for all intents and purposes, enjoyable consensual sex with a partner, but is met with “inexplicable feelings of tearfulness, sadness, or irritability” afterwards.
Researchers from the Queensland University of Technology say PCD had only previously been recognized in women, but after a survey of 1,208 men from numerous countries — including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Russia — it’s clear that the condition is more common among males than one might expect. In fact, four in 10 participants recalled suffering from PCD symptoms at some point in their lives.
“Forty-one percent of the participants reported experiencing PCD in their lifetime with 20 percent reporting they had experienced it in the previous four weeks,” says co-author Joel Maczkowiack, a masters student at the university’s school of psychology, in a release.
As many as 4 percent of the individuals, who voluntarily participated in the online questionnaire via postings on social media and psychological research websites, said they battle PCD symptoms regularly. Men acknowledged that statements such as “I don’t want to be touched and want to be left alone,” or “I feel unsatisfied, annoyed and very fidgety. All I really want is to leave and distract myself from everything I participated in,” applied to them when thinking about times they’d made love. Others described feeling “emotionless and empty” even though the sex was otherwise satisfactory.
“It is commonly believed that males and females experience a range of positive emotions including contentment and relaxation immediately following consensual sexual activity,” says co-author Robert Schweitzer, a professor at the university.
Schweitzer says that research has shown that couples that continue engaging in acts of intimacy after sex, such as talking, kissing, or cuddling, feel more satisfied in their relationships and strengthen the bond they share. Conversely, the emotional rollercoaster that comes with PCD could magnify any conflict in a relationship and wind up causing a bond between two people to break even further.
“The first three phases of the human sexual response cycle – excitement, plateau, and orgasm – have been the focus of the majority of research to date,” Professor Schweitzer said. “Yet previous studies on the PCD experience of females showed that a similar proportion of females had experienced PCD on a regular basis. As with the men in this new study, it is not well understood. We would speculate that the reasons are multifactorial, including both biological and psychological factors.”
The authors say the findings show sexual experiences for men could be more diverse than believed, and are important for clinicians to consider when working with men who may experience such symptoms.
The full study was published July 24, 2018 in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy.
I had no idea my ex-wife had slept with that many men.
We want it really bad. So bad we are wiling to put up with yappers,drink counters,whiners, and all sorts train wrecks so when the deed is done we often just want to GTFO ASAP.
I have experienced that kind of depression after having sex with women I did not love. Sex without love is only a tiny bit better than masturbation. When I had sex with women I loved I felt a sense of elation, of “spiritual” happiness. I am not surprised that so many men (and women) feel unhappy after sex. Nowadays sex has become more important than love, and one can’t find happiness in a merely physical relationship. Add to that that often sex follows the use of drugs or alcohol, which further takes away from sex its sentimental component. It’s just copulating–made worse by the fact that it’s not even done to create a new life.
Don’t forget to change your tampon before heading off to church to choke down some crackers and grape juice, cannibal
I take it you prefer humping anything just to get off.
Not as long as your mom is available
You do 86 year old women you are sick puppy
I also know how to use commas, when appropriate. I see tax dollars were wasted on your education. 86? Well, given your banter here as a 12 year old, looks like granny loves still giving it out in her 70s…gum jobs rock
Ya, I love ya,,, Now go make me a sammy…
Don’t have a reply to that. Think I met her though.
Anyone who engages in meaningless, loveless sex will experience that. Sex was meant to have profound meaning for a couple.
Then why do women bring it down so much after getting married? I won’t wait for your answer – even if you have one it will be unfulfilled, meaningless and a waste of time – which, ironically enough, defines your sex
That seems pretty harsh…Barbara was just trying to make a valid point…I know plenty of people trapped in the bar scene…Never getting more than a one nighter out of it…Or trapped in loveless marriages…Just going thru the motions.
Real love and great sex takes effort…Patience…Planning…And a little bit of hard work…But it’s worth it…IMHO.
The estrogen level in here is getting rather high – are you menstrating?
Why don’t you sniff my crotch and find out, jaggoff?
No thanks, I just had all my shots, don’t need to do it again. Is that the best ya got, boy?
Listen lady, when I insult you…You’ll know it…Meantime: blocked.
It was meant to be “harsh.” Our culture has weaponized sex.
A wise man said, “Women have half the money and all the puzzy.”
Ha….Good line!
My wife is a homemaker….She cooks and cleans…I make the money…And so far….The sex is still great…
18 years of marriage…And she’s still a fun loving little minx…Of course, she’s Latina and they tend to enjoy their sex and sensuality a bit more than most girls….Far fewer hangups about it…..IMO.
Sad you apparently forgot how to arouse your spouse. Yelling “drop your draws” is hardly romantic.
Ya, ok, junior, like you have any idea what happens in my life. No shut up before you say something even dumber
You showed up spoke your piece so deal with reality
I have no problem with my reality – you, junior, are the one who has issue with plenty more. But, hey, either put up or shut up, Hallie
Says the gender who can get it any time she wants. When guys can walk into a club and get picked up as easily as you can, Barb, THEN we’ll talk, AKA, never.
Alas, orgasms are such fleeting things and it can take awhile to recharge after one.
True. But always remember: Premature ejaculation is the woman’s problem.
” 4 In 10 Men Have Experienced ‘Inexplicable Sadness’ After Sex”. There is nothing inexplicable about it. Those four are married and know they won’t get laid again for another month. Three of the other six are married too, but they have a little something on the side.
Best sex lasts all day long. Close out the world, spread out a blanket on the floor, some snacks, wine, pot (maybe, not much), music, take it easy, laugh, fun, play, anticipate…this may take hours all the way to time for bed, really. But then there’s always the ‘quichie’, but nothing after, think about it.
From Dr. Stangelove.
Gen. Jack D. Ripper: “I can no longer sit back and allow communist infiltration, communist indoctrination, communist subversion, and the international communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids.”
“I-I first became aware of it, Mandrake, during the physical act of love…Yes, a profound sense of fatigue, a feeling of emptiness followed. Luckily I-I was able to interpret these feelings correctly. Loss of essence. I can assure you it has not recurred, Mandrake. Women, er, women sense my power, and they seek the life essence. I do not avoid women, Mandrake. But I do deny them my essence.”
My hunch is that those 4 men in 10, realized they just sinned, either by having sex when not married (fornication) or had sex with a woman other than their wife (adultery). After the sex, their conscience catches up to them. Post coital depression doesn’t affect men who have just gotten done having sex with their wife, as that is perfectly moral and ok to do.
What’s to explain, maybe it just wasn’t very good. (Looks over shoulder and flinches) Oh, hi Honey, I was just telling my friends here about..er..um..(blinks stupidly)
.I gotta go.
WOW, sure glad I’m not part of this list.
When the telltale symptom of VD appear
Buyers remorse? Renters…anyway…
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Your+Me+Show+Geniitals&&view=detail&mid=17378B6FA1DCE5B3841417378B6FA1DCE5B38414&&FORM=VRDGAR
What age demographic did they poll? I’m guessing 18-35……These “new age” men are mostly emasculated sissies that don’t really identify as “men”…
So this is why all those guys, other than Boris, are so grumpy! Every guy needs to find his Natasha and stay with her. Happy days (and nights) will be here again! MAGA!
Coyote Ugly is the unscientific name for the situation and nobody needed millions of dollars for the international study to know what it is all about.