Curious about the evidence that arousal and climax can cause measurable shifts in mood, perception, satisfaction and desire? Start here.

Also see Neuroendocrinology and sex for evidence of post-climax neuroendocrine shifts, and Other physiological shifts for evidence of additional measurable changes. Don’t miss these pages either: Too much? and Post-climax cravings.

All of these changes may underlie the shifts in mood, perception, etc. gathered in this section.

 

Postcoital Symptoms in a Convenience Sample of Men and Women

When Orgasms Do Not Equal Pleasure: Accounts of “Bad” Orgasm Experiences During Consensual Sexual Encounters

Sex and Depression: In the Brain, if Not the Mind [New York Times piece by psychiatrist]

 

Males

Postcoital Dysphoria: Prevalence and Correlates Among Males

Also see Other physiological shifts for research on testosterone, prostate health, semen output, etc. In addition, see Neuroendocrinology and sex, as many of those studies were done on males.

 

Females

The Association Between Sexual Behavior and Affect: Moderating Factors in Young Women

An epidemiological survey of post-coital psychological symptoms in a UK population sample of female twins

Postcoital Dysphoria: Prevalence and Psychological Correlates

Sexual activity is inversely related to women’s perceptions of the facial attractiveness of unknown men

Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Seminal Plasma Hypersensitivity

Sexual frequency is associated with age of natural menopause: results from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation

 

Animals

The Evolutionary Origin of Female Orgasm

 

Too much? Post-climax cravings