Feeling sad after sex can be distressing, but it’s also very common. It is sometimes called postcoital dysphoria or the “post-sex blues.” The negative feelings can last from a few minutes to several hours.
Sex is supposed to lift your mood, so feeling unexplained sadness after it can be confusing. But what’s really behind this phenomenon?
Anxiety
Normally, having sex is supposed to leave you feeling euphoric and satisfied. But sometimes, sex can make you feel sad and anxious afterward—even in consensual scenarios where both partners enjoyed themselves. The sensation is called postcoital dysphoria, or PCD. It can occur after masturbation or sex with a partner and lasts from a few minutes to several hours. It can also happen with or without orgasm.
It’s not clear exactly what causes PCD, but researchers have some theories. Some believe that hormone fluctuations could play a role, especially in women. Others believe that people with a history of sexual trauma might have lingering feelings of anxiety after sex. In any case, it’s important to know that these feelings are normal and nothing to be ashamed of.
Another possible cause of post-sex sadness is PTSD, or traumatic stress disorder. It can manifest as a variety of symptoms, including depression, fatigue, and trouble sleeping. You may even start to withdraw from loved ones or avoid public activities. If you think PTSD is the root of your post-sex sadness, talk to a therapist about it.
While you can try a few self-help strategies to deal with these feelings, it’s best to see a professional. A trained sex therapist can help you figure out the root of the problem and come up with a treatment plan that works for you.
Depression
Feeling sad after sex is very common, and it’s a feeling that many people have difficulty talking about. In fact, it’s a thing that has a name: postcoital dysphoria. This is when you feel depressed or sad after a sexual experience, and it can last for up to several hours afterward. It can be triggered by hormonal changes, negative communication between partners, and other factors.
The most common cause of post-sex depression is a lack of emotional connection to your partner. This can be a result of not being able to connect emotionally, or it may be due to a fear of intimacy. It can also be the result of a past trauma or a bad relationship, and it can be caused by unrealistic expectations about the sexual act itself. For example, some people believe that the perfect sex should always include an orgasm, and they become depressed when this doesn’t happen.
In some cases, it’s a sign of PTSD, which is a psychiatric disorder that can be caused by a traumatic or life-threatening event. If you’re experiencing a lot of sadness after sex, it’s important to talk to your doctor about it. They can help you find the right treatment for you and get back to feeling like yourself again. DFWLPC provides psychotherapy services both online and in-person, so reach out today to get the help you need.
Mood swings
Whether you love it or hate it, there’s a natural comedown that happens after sex. It can last from a few minutes to several hours, and while it may seem strange, it’s actually completely normal. Known as postcoital dysphoria, or PCD, it’s characterized by a feeling of sadness that comes after a sexual experience. While this can be a result of many things, such as a drop in the feel-good hormones that are released during orgasm, it can also be related to cultural shame and feelings about the body, sexuality, and relationships, says sex and relationship expert Logan Levkoff.
There are a number of ways to help alleviate mood swings after sex, such as talking about your experiences with your partner or seeking therapy. Self-care strategies, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising, can also help. If your feelings of sadness after sex are severe and interfere with your daily life, it’s important to seek professional treatment.
Some researchers believe that feeling sad after sex is simply a biological function, rather than a result of a lack of intimacy. In one study, psychiatrist Dr. Richard Friedman gave some of his patients Prozac after they told him they felt depressed after sex, and found that the depression faded. However, he also found that the medication reduced their enjoyment of sex, so it’s not the perfect solution.
Physical pain
Often people experience pain during or after sex, and it can lead to feelings of sadness or depression. This is known as postcoital dysphoria (PCD), and it’s a common occurrence. Usually the symptoms can last for a few minutes to a few hours, and they don’t necessarily relate to how happy or sad you were before or during sex. PCD can be caused by a number of factors, including a drop in feel-good hormones, cultural shame, and negative thoughts about bodies and sexuality.
It can also be the result of an infection, menopause, fibroid tumors or, in the case of a man, prostatitis. In these cases, it’s important to talk to a doctor and get treated. If the pain is severe, then it may be a sign of a sexually transmitted disease.
Crying after sex is a natural reaction to intense emotions, and sex can create strong feelings of joy and connection as well as orgasm. But feeling sad after sex is not so normal, and it’s actually more common than you might think. The condition is called postcoital dysphoria or the post-sex blues, and it’s more common than you might think. Several factors can cause it, but the main causes are likely hormones or a psychological release of deep emotions. One psychologist even found that Prozac could help his patients overcome their post-sex blues.
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