Have you ever been lying next to your male partner or lover post-sex, watching them snooze away as if it’s the best sleep they’ve ever had? Not much time for pillow talk or cuddles, not interested in eating, watching TV, or anything else?
Yeah, it seems quite rude, doesn’t it? Well, the good news is, they’re not actually trying to be disrespectful, and no, they aren’t bored with you either.
There’s actually a solid, biological reason why men are tired after sex. So, what is it? Why do guys fall asleep after they come? The hormone, prolactin.
What Is Prolactin, the Chemical Released After Sex?
Prolactin is a hormone that’s produced by the pituitary gland, and has many functions.
One particular case includes the fact that this chemical is released after sex, and plays a role in a man’s refractory period (the time before the next erection is possible).
Prolactin surges after orgasm, and creates feelings of sleepiness, reduced sexual arousal, and relaxation. The perfect recipe for what? Sleep!
But then, why don’t men fall asleep immediately after masturbating? Well, interestingly, post-coital orgasms release four times more prolactin in men than when they masturbate.
But is prolactin the only hormone that causes men to feel tired after sex? Actually, no,
Why do Guys Fall Asleep After They Come? A Cocktail of Hormones!
While prolactin plays a big role in sleepiness after sex in men, there are too a slew of other chemicals released after sex that contribute to sleep.
After ejaculation, a man’s dopamine (the ‘feel-good’ hormone) levels drop. Dopamine is a stimulating neurotransmitter that makes you feel awake, so when this hormone drops, the opposite effect takes place.
Then, oxytocin and vasopressin (the ‘bonding’ hormones) rise. Oxytocin can help reduce feelings of stress and induce a feeling of safety, making it easier to relax, and vasopressin is linked to a calming effect as the heart rate slows down, there’s reduced alertness, and the body shifts towards rest and recovery.
Additionally, serotonin levels increase, which can make the brain feel “ready for rest”.
These hormones, along with prolactin, and if you’re having sex at night, with the lights off, in bed etc, a sense of calm and drowsiness is experienced. One’s body clock then signifies that it’s time for bed, and further releases melatonin, a hormone that ignites your sleep cycle.
