While some people fall asleep or want to cuddle and enjoy post-sex intimacy with their partner, some women feel depressed.
For some women, the afterglow of sex is not only absent but is replaced with feelings of depression known as post-coital dysphoria, or tristesse.
The Mirror noted that even if the sex was particularly good, these feelings can be a frightening and lonely experience for women who suffer from post-coital dysphoria.
The condition means women might feel sad, anxious, aggressive, agitated, or simply melancholic immediately after having sex.
Sex therapist Denise Knowles said that it is not uncommon to feel sad after sex and it is not necessarily due to a trauma or because they’re regretful but it could be down to the explosion of hormones in the body that are prompted after sex, including endorphins, oxytocin, and prolactin.
Also read: What an orgasm feels like - What gets your sex groove on and keeps it going
A study into the condition found that 46 percent of the 230 female participants experienced post-coital dysphoria.
It was also discovered that intimacy or the significance of the relationship did not seem to matter and that these feelings are not just brought on by 'one night stands'.
Another study from 2011 found that around a third of women said they felt depressed after sex, even when it was "satisfactory".
However, this medical condition is not the only explanation for depression after sexual relations as there are many psychological reasons why someone might feel negative emotions according to HealthCentral, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder related to prior sexual abuse.
- Having sex when you really don’t want to or when you are not emotionally or physically ready.
- Having sexual relations with someone who is abusive.
- Low self esteem about your body image or sexual performance.
- Fears that once the sex is over that your partner will leave or reject you.
- Fear that your relationship is moving too fast.
- Guilt or shame due to conflicting values, religious beliefs, or attitudes about sex.
- Feeling emotionally distant from your partner or experiencing conflict within the relationship.
Depressed after sex? You are not alone
While some people fall asleep or want to cuddle and enjoy post-sex intimacy with their partner, some women feel depressed.
For some women, the afterglow of sex is not only absent but is replaced with feelings of depression known as post-coital dysphoria, or tristesse.
The Mirror noted that even if the sex was particularly good, these feelings can be a frightening and lonely experience for women who suffer from post-coital dysphoria.
The condition means women might feel sad, anxious, aggressive, agitated, or simply melancholic immediately after having sex.
Sex therapist Denise Knowles said that it is not uncommon to feel sad after sex and it is not necessarily due to a trauma or because they’re regretful but it could be down to the explosion of hormones in the body that are prompted after sex, including endorphins, oxytocin, and prolactin.
Also read: What an orgasm feels like - What gets your sex groove on and keeps it going
A study into the condition found that 46 percent of the 230 female participants experienced post-coital dysphoria.
It was also discovered that intimacy or the significance of the relationship did not seem to matter and that these feelings are not just brought on by 'one night stands'.
Another study from 2011 found that around a third of women said they felt depressed after sex, even when it was "satisfactory".
However, this medical condition is not the only explanation for depression after sexual relations as there are many psychological reasons why someone might feel negative emotions according to HealthCentral, including:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder related to prior sexual abuse.
- Having sex when you really don’t want to or when you are not emotionally or physically ready.
- Having sexual relations with someone who is abusive.
- Low self esteem about your body image or sexual performance.
- Fears that once the sex is over that your partner will leave or reject you.
- Fear that your relationship is moving too fast.
- Guilt or shame due to conflicting values, religious beliefs, or attitudes about sex.
- Feeling emotionally distant from your partner or experiencing conflict within the relationship.
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