Both genders can suffer ‘post-coital dysphoria’ after sex

  • Until now, it was assumed only women suffer but it is ‘not uncommon’ in men 
  • Men can go into a deep depression and feel achy and irritable for hours 
  • Experts say it is a contrast between ‘feeling like a superhero’ during sex 

By

Anthony Harwood For The Mail On Sunday


Published:
18:03 EDT, 18 March 2017

|
Updated:
03:13 EDT, 19 March 2017

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They have a reputation for nodding off afterwards – and now it seems making love can make some men depressed, too.

In fact, they can become so sad and emotional that they suffer ‘post-coital dysphoria’ (PCD), according to a report.

Until now it was assumed only women suffer PCD, with nearly half reporting feelings of sadness, anxiety and tearfulness at some point. 

Men can have post-coital dysphoria as well as women. Many go into a deep depression and feel achy and irritable for hours after sex (file photo)
Men can have post-coital dysphoria as well as women. Many go into a deep depression and feel achy and irritable for hours after sex (file photo)

Men can have post-coital dysphoria as well as women. Many go into a deep depression and feel achy and irritable for hours after sex (file photo)

But in recent years doctors have heard complaints from male patients that they can go into deep depression and feel achy and irritable for hours after sex.

The report’s author, Professor Robert Schweitzer, of Queensland University of Technology in Australia, has studied data from both genders, and says PCD is ‘not uncommon’ in men.

He said: ‘There are a wide range of responses in the period of time immediately following sexual activity, known as the “resolution phase”. 

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‘Some people like to cuddle, others like to be alone and there are others who experience what is described as post-sex blues.’

Psychotherapist and sex therapist Phillip Hodson, author of How To Make Great Love To A Man, said: ‘The sadness some men feel at this point may be due to the contrast between the joy of arousal and feeling like a superhero and the sensation of the feel-good hormones wearing off.’

And while women have a reputation for becoming emotional after sex, he added: ‘I think men get emotional too, but they don’t show it.’

Experts say the emotions are in contrast to 'feeling like a superhero' during sex. According to the Queensland study, PCD is 'not uncommon' in men (file photo)
Experts say the emotions are in contrast to 'feeling like a superhero' during sex. According to the Queensland study, PCD is 'not uncommon' in men (file photo)

Experts say the emotions are in contrast to ‘feeling like a superhero’ during sex. According to the Queensland study, PCD is ‘not uncommon’ in men (file photo)

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