If you’ve ever seen a romantic movie, you’ve probably seen the scene where a couple falls asleep after sex. While this is a wonderful caricature of sexual intimacy, it doesn’t mean that everyone feels that way after sex.
INSIDER talked to several sex experts—including sex therapists Debra Laino and Jane Greer—to find out why do women get tired after sex?
1. Physical Exhaustion
The most common reason why women get tired after sex is because of the physical exertion involved. During sexual activity, blood pressure and blood flow increase, as well as the release of various hormones like oxytocin, endorphins, and dopamine. These chemicals can cause a feeling of relaxation and drowsiness. In addition, the physical activity of sex can lead to dehydration, which can make you feel even more tired.
Then, when you orgasm, the brain releases a flood of sleep chemicals that further contribute to a sense of drowsiness. Both men and women can feel sleepy after orgasm as oxytocin, often referred to as the “cuddle hormone,” is released along with serotonin, melatonin, vasopressin, and nitric oxide.
If you want to combat feelings of fatigue, it’s important to get enough sleep each night, exercise regularly, and manage stress levels. Additionally, drinking water throughout the day can help keep your body hydrated and boost your energy levels.
If you still find yourself feeling exhausted after sex, it may be time to evaluate your life and see if there is anything that needs to change. Perhaps you are overscheduled and don’t have enough time to dedicate to your relationship or maybe you’re just too stressed out. Whatever the case, it’s important to realize that your sex life should not take a backseat to volunteering for the rummage sale or going to work every day.
2. Emotional Exhaustion
Sex is not only physically exhausting, but it also requires a lot of emotional energy. This is especially true if you and your partner are having trouble getting intimate. The physical act of sex can be extremely exciting and romantic, but it can also be very emotionally draining. This is because the body releases a lot of hormones and chemicals during sexual intercourse, including oxytocin (the “cuddle” hormone), endorphins, and dopamine. These hormones promote feelings of relaxation and drowsiness, which can leave you feeling exhausted after sex.
In addition, the physical exertion of sex can cause dehydration. This can make you feel even more tired after sex. So, if you are feeling exhausted after sex, be sure to drink plenty of water to replenish your lost fluids.
If you are still feeling exhausted after sex, it might be time to talk to your partner. It is important to discuss your feelings with your partner so that you can figure out what is causing you to feel this way. By doing this, you can take steps to address the issue and prevent it from happening in the future. You may find that talking to your partner about your feelings makes you both more happy and satisfied in the bedroom. In fact, it can help you feel closer to each other and less tired after sex.
3. Lack of Sleep
Sex can make you feel tired the next day if you sleep poorly before or after your intimate encounter. This is because sex stimulates the body and brain to enter an excited state that may lead to feelings of restlessness before bed, which can make it harder to fall asleep at night.
The lack of a good night’s sleep may also contribute to feelings of fatigue after sex, especially when you engage in sexual activity late at night. It’s also possible that if you are a morning person, your energy levels will be higher in the daytime and this can help you avoid feeling sleepy after sex.
Whether or not sex makes you sleepy depends on a lot of different factors, including your current nutritional levels and mental health. Taking control of your stress levels is another great way to prevent sex from leaving you feeling exhausted the following day.
If you want to avoid getting sleepy after sex, try to have intimate encounters early in the day before your energy levels start to decline. This will give you a chance to take advantage of the mood-enhancing effects of oxytocin. It’s also important to be honest with your partner about how you feel, so they can adjust their expectations accordingly.
4. Alcohol Consumption
It is a fact that consuming alcohol can wreak havoc on your sexual drive. Hence, it is advised to avoid consuming alcohol before having sex. In addition, you should also stay hydrated. That is because the action between the sheets can drain your body fluids and make you feel lethargic.
When people get tired after sex, it is often because their hearts are beating fast and the blood pressure is rising due to sexual arousal. The high levels of blood pressure also cause their muscles to tighten, which can make them tense and tired. Moreover, the painkilling hormones release after an orgasm help relieve the pain, making people drowsy.
Some women also feel exhausted after sex because of the nauseous sensation that follows an orgasm. They may feel like puking and wish to vomit immediately after an orgasm. This is because of the high levels of oxytocin that are released after an orgasm. It is the same reason why men feel sleepy after sex.
The nauseous feeling can also be caused by an iron deficiency. Therefore, it is important for a woman to consume food that is rich in iron to boost her energy and libido. If a woman is experiencing excessive fatigue after sex, she should visit a doctor immediately. The doctor can recommend the right course of treatment.
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