Postcoital dysphoria: symptoms, causes and treatment

A feeling of sadness and uneasiness that appears after sexual intercourse.

Sex is an activity that is pleasurable for the vast majority of people, being a desirable and satisfying experience under normal conditions. In general, we usually enjoy the whole process and once the interaction is finished and we reach orgasm, a feeling of relaxation and satisfaction usually appears.

However, in some people, feelings of sadness and anguish appear after orgasm, which can lead to the appearance of what is known as dysphoria. what is known as postcoital dysphoria or post-coital depression.. It is on this concept on which we are going to speak throughout this article.

What is postcoital dysphoria?

Postcoital dysphoria or post-coital depression is the name given to the syndrome characterized by the presence of sensations and feelings of sadness, melancholy and discomfort after the moment of orgasm. Anguish, feelings of emptiness, uneasiness, restlessness and irritability may also appear. It is a a situation that generally appears after sexual intercourse, although it can also appear after orgasm.although it can also appear after masturbation.

Technically it is considered a sexual dysfunction linked to the resolution phase, being a diagnostic label proposed for research with a view to a possible incorporation in different diagnostic classifications. However, the diagnosis would only be possible if the dysphoria appeared in the majority of sexual relations (it would not be a disorder if its occurrence were sporadic and sporadic) and provided that it could not be explained by other disorders..

It is important to keep in mind that this sensation is not the result of an unsatisfactory sexual relationship, as it can be entirely pleasurable for both parties and desired by the person who feels this dysphoria. Post-coital depression (rather a sadness, not really a depression) usually appears either immediately or shortly after orgasm and usually disappears within minutes. usually disappears within minutesalthough it can even last for several days.

Who suffers from it?

This type of syndrome is not new, there have been references to it since ancient times. Although it has traditionally been considered that postcoital dysphoria is something specific to women of a certain age, the truth is that it can appear in both sexes and at any age. Apparently it is more frequent in the female sex, although in general there have been few studies carried out with men in this sense.

Although it is generally an under-recognized syndrome, recent studies show that it is much more frequent than is believed, with the percentage of people affected varying according to the study. In addition, postcoital dysphoria may not always be present and it is normal for it to appear sporadically at specific moments, being sporadically, being a problem only when it occurs consistently over time. In some cases it has been observed that almost half of the participants have acknowledged having experienced it at some time in their lives.

Symptoms and repercussions

Postcoital dysphoria is, as we have said, not well recognized socially, and can have repercussions on the sexual life of the sufferer. Often its presence is experienced with discomfort and guilt. by the person who experiences it, considering that he/she should feel satisfied and not understanding his/her own reactions. It can also develop a possible fear of the existence of partner conflicts, or even an avoidance of sexual contact. Moreover, this is a situation that, as in other sexual dysfunctions, is often hidden and experienced with shame.

The sexual partner may also feel incompetent or unwanted by his or her partner's reactions, and real conflicts and other sexual dysfunctions may arise. real conflicts and other sexual dysfunctions, such as aversion to sex, may also appear. such as aversion to sex.

Possible causes

Since ancient times there have been attempts to explain the occurrence of sexual dysphoria, both in terms of its occasional occurrence and its consistent appearance.

One of the theories in this regard refers to the fact that the causes of this alteration are mainly neurochemical: after orgasm certain hormones are released that counteract those responsible for sexual pleasure, and sadness and low mood may appear as a result of this regulation. In this same sense, it has been observed that at a Biological level the amygdala (which is linked to anxiety and fear among other emotions) decreases its activity during intercourse, and dysphoria may appear as a consequence of the reactivation of this amygdala. consequence of the reactivation of this part of the encephalon..

Another theory, which is also compatible with the previous one, indicates that the appearance of postcoital dysphoria may be linked to the influence of a restrictive and religious upbringing, in which the idea of sex and sexual pleasure and enjoyment may have been internalized as something sinful or criminalized.

Another option derives from the experience of traumatic situations such as infantile sexual abuse or rape, unconsciously associating the enjoyment of a normative and consensual relationship with that lived during the abusive experience. or rape, unconsciously associating the enjoyment of a normative and consensual relationship with that lived during the abusive experience, and sadness, anguish and even repugnance appear with the current enjoyment.

There are also theories that say that the sadness is due to the fact that the emotions of sadness and discomfort are due to the termination of the act of union with the partner. There may also be the possibility that the sadness is due to the presence of partner difficulties or the consideration that the relationship is based or sustained only on sex.

Treatment

At the level of the person and his/her partner, it is recommended that the orgasm should not be the end of all interaction between the members of the couple, being able to enjoy activities such as caressing or hugging, unless this generates discomfort or discomfort to the person with dysphoria. It is about generating bonding after the sexual encounter. In any case, if this is a regular occurrence, it may be useful to consult a psychologist or sexologist.

Although unusual, postcoital dysphoria may require psychological treatment. First of all, it is necessary to it is necessary to evaluate the possible existence of organic alterations.. In case there are traumatic experiences, these could be worked on in consultation. Likewise the presence of guilt or the consideration with respect to sex may need to be worked on. In case it is necessary or it is due to a couple conflict, it can be useful to use couple therapy and sexual therapy to help.