Sex is an activity that can be physically exhausting. And for some people, it can also be emotionally tiring.
The good news is, you don’t have to feel exhausted every time you have sex. However, it may be worth figuring out why you are so tired after sex. The answer may surprise you.
1. You’re dehydrated
If you’re constantly tired after sex, it could be because you are dehydrated. Sweating and coming down use up a lot of water, so it’s important to drink enough before and after sex. You should aim for eight glasses of water a day (and no, fizzy drinks or tea and coffee don’t count).
Women and men both release oxytocin, melatonin, prolactin, serotonin, nitric oxide, and endorphins during sex. These chemicals all have sleep-inducing properties, which can lead to fatigue and sleepiness. Plus, if you’re stressed or anxious before sex, these chemicals may make you feel even more sleepy afterward.
This is why it’s important to talk to your partner about the way you feel after sex. This will help both of you understand what you’re experiencing, so that a feeling of tiredness doesn’t become misinterpreted as a lack of intimacy. It will also help you find a way to make sex more comfortable and enjoyable, so that one of you doesn’t feel like they are missing out. .)
2. You’re stressed
Sometimes, sex can be so exciting and thrilling that you feel completely overwhelmed. And that’s not a bad thing. But, when you have too much going on in your life, it can leave you feeling exhausted and unmotivated to do anything. Fortunately, there are ways to relieve stress and re-energize yourself!
Women and men respond to sex differently, but both genders tend to feel more tired after sex. This is because sex can be very physically tiring, and it can also drain the body’s fluids (especially when you ejaculate).
Additionally, if you’re feeling anxious before or during sex, you may feel more tired afterward. This could be a sign of posttraumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. If you are suffering from PTSD, it’s important to talk to a therapist about your feelings and find ways to manage your stress level. To learn more, contact Modern Intimacy today. Our experienced sex therapists are here to help you overcome your feelings of fatigue after sex. You deserve to feel happy and fulfilled! Getting the support you need can help you feel more energetic and motivated.
3. You’re irritable
A big part of sex is being vulnerable with your partner. You’re showing them the most private parts of yourself, which can trigger feelings like anger or resentment that may make you irritable. This can happen whether it was enjoyable or not. Then you have to factor in hormones, which can also cause ups and downs in energy levels.
There’s a common caricature of heterosexual monogamous intercourse in which after climaxing, the man collapses into pillows on a bed in a blissful state of sleep while the woman lays awake staring at the ceiling twiddling her thumbs. While that vignette is probably overstating things, it does highlight that sex can make some people feel more tired than others.
INSIDER spoke to sex therapists and experts about why they think we tend to feel lethargic after sex. We learned a lot of interesting information, including that there’s a lot going on in our bodies during sex, which can actually be pretty exhausting. There are some obvious reasons, like the fact that sex usually takes place at night after a long day and that it’s a really physically exhausting workout, but there’s also a bunch of other things at play.
4. You’re not getting enough sleep
Sleep is incredibly important for your health and it’s recommended that everyone gets at least 8 hours of rest per night. If you’re not sleeping well, it will likely leave you feeling lethargic and tired after sex. If your sex routine doesn’t allow you to get a full night of rest, you may want to consider adjusting it.
Sex can also be physically tiring, especially if you’re doing positions that require core strength or upper body strength. It’s possible you’re simply overexerting yourself, so it’s best to stick to more fluid movements.
If you want to avoid feeling tired after sex, try having it earlier in the day or at the weekend when you have more time to prepare for it. The good news is that you can still reap the benefits of oxytocin and other sleep-inducing hormones even if you fall asleep right afterward. The reason for this is because some neurochemicals don’t release until after orgasm, which is why it can seem like you’re drowsy immediately after orgasm. This could be to help you bond with your partner or it may have some evolutionary advantages, as well.
5. You’re overworked
Fitting sex into your busy schedule can be challenging, but it’s important to prioritize it. “If you’re putting your sex on the back burner while you’re volunteering for a rummage sale or juggling three jobs, that’s not sustainable,” says sex therapist Sheri Winston. “Good sex can improve your life, and it shouldn’t take a back seat to the ruffle-ruffle of daily life.”
While it may seem obvious that sex is physically exhausting, there are many other factors at play when it comes to why you feel tired after sex. INSIDER spoke with experts including a sex therapist, a clinical sexologist and sexuality educator, and a nutritionist to get to the bottom of why we become so exhausted after sex. We also offer some simple solutions to combat the issue, such as drinking lots of water, getting enough sleep, and avoiding positions that require balance and core strength. Ultimately, the key is to slow down and relax during sex, which will make you feel less drained afterward. You should also seek out ways to manage stress and boost energy in general, which can help fight post-sex fatigue.
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