The following is in response to the letter which appeared in Dear Christine two days ago under the headline Can’t Get Him To Do It Twice.
Dear Christine:
According to Dr Billy Goldberg, co-author of Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex, the chemicals prolactin, oxytocin and nitric oxide all contribute to “that roll-over-and-snore feeling” because they facilitate sleep.
A man’s body chemistry changes after sex due to the release of prolactin and oxytocin. The reason men cannot go for another round immediately after having sex has to do with the fact that their prolactin levels are very high, making them feel tired. When the prolactin levels dip again, the man will be ready for another round. Release of oxytocin brings on feelings of relaxation and sleepiness.
It is the man who exerts significantly more energy during sex. Some partners have sex for an extended period and when a man is doing a lot of physical work to please his partner, it is natural for him to feel tired by the time things come to an end.
Most people have sex at night after a long day, so they are already tired by bedtime. It is a combination of tiredness, orgasm, hormones, chemicals and neurotransmitters that flood the body and brain that make men “crash” after sex.
After men have an orgasm they usually experience a refractory period when they cannot be aroused. For women it seems to be different. They don’t seem to have such a strong refractory period and may be asking for more when their partners just want a rest.
Scientists found that women were more likely to fall asleep first when they didn’t have sex. Men can stay awake longer because they’re hoping to entice their partner into a little pre-sleep fun.
The better couples understand each other’s bodies and how chemicals and other factors can affect lovemaking, the more enjoyable their sex lives can be.
– C. Harper
Dear C. Harper,
Thanks for your input. I hope the insight you’ve provided will make both men and women more keenly aware of how their bodies function, in relation to sexual activity.
– CHRISTINE
