• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Why Men Tend To Fall Asleep Right After Sex

Home> News

Published 15:01 2 Feb 2022 GMT

Why Men Tend To Fall Asleep Right After Sex

During sex, a cocktail of brain chemicals are released, which can lead to men falling asleep right after completion

Isobel Pankhurst

Isobel Pankhurst

There's an actual scientific reason why a lot of men fall asleep after sex - and it's all to do with your brain chemicals.

Considering the vast majority of sex takes place in bed, it's understandable that the body would associate this with sleep.

And let's be honest most couples tend to have sex either at night or maybe in the morning if you're lucky. Both of these are times where you're just more likely to be naturally tired.

However, Melinda Wenner, of Scienceline, told Live Science that there is actually far more at play here than just mere object association and time.

During sex the brain releases a cocktail of brain chemicals, including norepinephrine, serotonin, oxytocin, vasopressin, nitric oxide (NO), and the hormone prolactin.

Stock image.
Alamy

Prolactin is linked to the feeling of sexual satisfaction, and is also the cause of the 'recovery time' before men are ready to go again. Prolactin levels tend be higher during sleep, as well as during sex.

Prolactin may also explain why men often become sleepy after partnered sex but not after masturbation.

An orgasm during sex with a partner releases four times as much prolactin than a solo orgasm, though scientists aren't quite sure why that is.

Oxytocin and vasopressin, which are both released during orgasm, are associated with sleep too.

Their release frequently comes alongside the release of melatonin, the hormone that regulates the body clock.

Pixabay

Similarly, PET scans have discovered that in order to reach orgasm one must release all fear and anxiety, which can also cause sleepiness. So if you're reaching orgasm, they chances of feeling sleepy after sex may increase.

Studies suggest that women are less likely to fall asleep immediately after sex, even if they do reach orgasm. Following sex, women are more likely to stay semi-aroused while men need a 'recovery period'.

One argument as to why this affects men more than women is that the exertion of having sex tends to reduce energy-producing glycogen in muscles, the Times of India reports.

Women, on the whole, have less muscle mass than men meaning they will be less likely to feel tired afterwards.

Well whatever the reason ultimately is, it's certainly something that affects huge swathes of men.

And if you have fallen asleep after sex, at least that's better than falling asleep during the act.

One study even found that of 1,000 men 48 percent said they have fallen asleep during sex.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Sex and Relationships

Isobel Pankhurst
Isobel Pankhurst

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
  • (DoJ)
    an hour ago

    Mystery woman laid under Andrew in Epstein file photo 'has been identified'

    The revelation was made during a fiery exchange at a US Congressional hearing

    News
  • Getty/FOX
    an hour ago

    Six symptoms of bowel cancer as James Van Der Beek dies at 48

    The late actor initially suspected his symptoms were down to his diet and lifestyle

    News
  • Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Five key symptoms of lethal side effect as NHS issues warning over sertraline

    There's a serious side effect to be aware of if you're taking the SSRI antidepressant

    News
  • FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Ukrainian athlete disqualified from Winter Olympics over helmet tribute

    Vladyslav Heraskevych has been banned from competing, the International Olympic Committee announced

    News