This can be so annoying, especially if you’re the type that likes to get chatty after a good round; one minute, you are lying on his chest, dishing hot gist or just rambling about stuff, next thing you know, he’s snoring!
I mean, what is it about sex that makes men fall asleep so fast?
First, the obvious reason is: sex mostly takes place at night, in a bed, and well, it can be physically exhausting (especially for the man). So, it’s natural for a guy to feel sleepy after sex.
Secondly, research has shown that in order for a person to reach orgasm, a primary requirement is to let go of “all fear and anxiety.” This tends to be relaxing ,thus explaining the tendency to get sleepy after sex.
Then there is the biochemistry of the orgasm itself. Research shows that during ejaculation, men release a cocktail of brain chemicals, which includes norepinephrine, serotonin, oxytocin, vasopressin, nitric oxide (NO), and prolactin. The release of prolactin is linked to the feeling of sexual satisfaction, and it also helps with the “recovery time” or “refractory period“. Studies have also shown that men deficient in prolactin have faster recovery times.
Prolactin levels are naturally higher during sleep, and animals that are injected with the chemical become tired immediately. This suggests a strong link between prolactin and sleep, so it’s likely that the hormone’s release during orgasm causes men to feel sleepy after sex.
Two other chemicals released during orgasm, Oxytocin and vasopressin, are also associated with sleep. They are always released right after melatonin is released. Melatonin is the primary hormone that regulates our body clocks. These reduce stress levels, which again could lead to relaxation and make him feel sleepy after sex.
Much conflicting information exists regarding whether women feel sleepy after sex but what we know is that most times, a woman may fall asleep with the man or use the opportunity as some quality cuddling time. When the man wakes up, he might just be ready to go again.
The bottom line is this: There are many potential biochemical reasons for post-sex sleepiness, but no one has discovered the exact causes. One thing, however, is certain: we females better get used to it, because it doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon.