The next question you may have is, why don’t women fall asleep after sex? Well, more like; why don’t they pass out like men post coitus? Surely men and women experience the same amount of hormonal surges and drops? Actually, no.
Women don’t experience the same prolactin surge as men do after orgasm. In fact, way less prolactin is released after climax in women. Additionally, while they do release oxytocin, it more so evokes feelings of bonding and stimulation as opposed to the sedation effect that many men experience.
Another reason why women don’t fall asleep straight after sex like men is because they don’t have a strict refractory period. Women can continue to be aroused, and they can experience multiple orgasms in succession without needing to rest.
Then, there’s the element of neuroscience, aka… the brain. There have been brain imaging studies using technologies such as an fMRI scan and a PET scan to measure what part of the brain lights up during sex and orgasm. It was found that, after climax, a man’s brain often showed decreased activity in parts related to attention and arousal, resulting in feelings of relaxation and sleepiness. A woman’s brain often maintained or even increased activity in these regions after climax, suggesting alertness or cognitive engagement.
From an evolutionary standpoint, women’s bodies may be more in-tune after sex for purposes such as nurturing, bonding, and caregiving roles (from the release of oxytocin), and there may be emotional and relational reasons that could keep women more mentally engaged after sex. On the other hand, men’s brain patterns favour energy conservation and recovery after ejaculation.
Post-Sex Behaviours
By now, it’s evident that both men and women have different post-sex behaviours. And when one partner partakes in one particular kind of behaviour that bothers another, such as falling asleep, it’s almost expected to feel vulnerable.
But did you know that, according to a pair of studies, if you’re happy with what happens post-sex, you’re more likely to feel satisfied with the sex itself, as well as your romantic relationship in general?
In that regard, it may be a great idea to start focusing on the time post-sex, rather than just the sex itself.
This is because “we are in one of our most vulnerable emotional and physical states when we are sexual with another person, especially when there are strong feelings with that person,” “The time after sex is a critical.
