What Happens To Your Body During Sex?

As the stereotypical image of Hollywood portrays, after sexual intercourse, some of us lean back against the headboard, feeling proud of our achievement in satisfying our partner, spouse, or casual encounter, and then light a cigarette. How was the experience for you? Satisfactory enough, you deduce, as you take a well-deserved puff. Or are you the type of individual to swiftly turn over, possibly leaving your bedmate frustrated and not quite ready to fall asleep? Or maybe you take a brief moment to rest, then compose yourself and begin again? Do you snuggle up, engage in conversation, discuss profound matters, or even make a request of your significant other? According to research, these are all typical behaviors, but what occurs in our bodies during and after sexual activity? That's what we'll explore in this article on What Occurs in Your Body While Having Sex?

Today we'll discuss the experiences of both males and females engaging in heterosexual intercourse, and by intercourse, we mean sexual activity, intimacy, coitus, carnal knowledge, or as the British say, getting intimate. So, let's begin with the male, what occurs for him? At a certain moment during sexual activity, men reach a stage where they cannot stop the process. This is sometimes referred to as the point of inevitable ejaculation. Heart rate and blood pressure increase, the semen is released, and his reproductive organ undergoes contractions. At this point, he can return to a state of rest and allow his body to relax, which apparently happens more quickly for men compared to women. The penis becomes flaccid, and most men will need to wait for some time before they can engage in sexual activity again, although this timeframe depends on factors such as age, physical fitness, and, of course, the desire to rekindle the flames of passion. Some individuals may simply feel inclined to sleep at this stage; is this considered impolite or is it a biological necessity?

Well, pay attention, discontented women: scientific research indicates that it's innate for males to desire rest, and for various reasons. Apart from the evident fact that it's often nighttime and fatigue may be expected, another explanation is that men expel a great deal of built-up anxiety upon reaching climax. Women also experience this, and they may feel tired as well, but it appears that men tend to sleep more after sexual activity. Another factor is brain chemistry. All these substances are released in the brain when men ejaculate, including serotonin, oxytocin, norepinephrine, vasopressin, and nitric oxide. Some of these substances are connected to relaxation and the inclination to sleep. This can result in a feeling of relief, and afterward, men desire to unwind, just as they would after any strenuous physical activity. It's somewhat akin to receiving a dose of morphine, and evidently, that dose is much more potent during sexual intercourse than during self-stimulation. One medical professional expresses it like this when discussing the release of substances: "They induce a state of deep relaxation, slow down brain activity and cognitive functioning, and induce a pleasantly fatigued sensation." However, it is believed that the hormone prolactin, which is discharged, is the primary reason why men feel inclined to sleep. It provides a sense of satisfaction, and the less of it you have, the more likely you are to engage in a second round more promptly. Truly contented men may simply roll over and begin to snore.

One other thing is that he may feel the urge to urinate. The reason? It's once again related to chemicals. Oxytocin and prolactin impact the kidneys, prompting him to rush to the restroom. Some experts also believe it's a way to flush out bacteria from the urethra, a natural necessity. It could also be because he's been holding it in during all that fooling around. Then he discovers that he's unable to urinate. This is normal, as the internal sphincter muscle contracts to prevent the release of sperm, effectively closing off the bladder. This is done to prevent semen from entering the bladder.

In a recent article in Cosmopolitan magazine, it was suggested that men who desire to snuggle are keepers, but it also states that men who don't might just be yielding to their own body's needs. You might find that your phallus feels a bit tender, but this is just typical after all that contracting. Don't worry, it shouldn't last long. And don't be surprised if your testicles have diminished in size, because this is normal, too. A doctor speaking to Men's Health magazine explained it like this, "When you ejaculate, the cremaster muscle contracts and brings your testicles up closer to your body, giving you the perception that they're smaller." Lastly, you may experience a cramp in the toe. Apparently, this occurs frequently, but it's just because orgasm causes stimulation in the nerves, particularly S1 in the spinal column, and that nerve affects the toes. If you examine some research, it also states that some men's moods change dramatically after sex, but given the release of all that tension and all those chemicals flooding out, that's not so surprising. Some men have reported feeling emotionally impaired after a great orgasm, and that's believed to be because significant amounts of dopamine were released. It's like coming down from a drug that makes you feel happy or euphoric.

In females, the emotions can be similar, as we shall observe. So, what about post-coital females? Well, females may not always achieve orgasm. According to an article in Psychology Today, which referenced several studies, approximately half of females will regularly experience orgasm during intercourse, about 20% of females seldom experience orgasm, 20% consistently achieve orgasm, and 5% never achieve orgasm. When they do, it's different from a man's intense climax, as females have what has been referred to as "Fast, rhythmic contractions." This can be quite an event, and some females certainly display this on their face, sometimes appearing as though they've had an ecstatic encounter. These waves of sensation travel through her reproductive organs, her rectum, her womb, and her pelvis, and she too will experience a magnificent surge of chemicals flooding her brain. She may encounter female ejaculation, which is when a milky fluid will be expelled from her urethra. Don't worry, ladies, there's nothing wrong with this. But what about when a significant amount of fluid is released? A neurophysiologist from Rutgers University in Newark, states, "It's not the same milky substance if it is expelled in large quantities;" in that case, she says, "It is urine mixed with substances from the female prostate." Scientists are still uncertain as to why some females do this and others don't, but it's certainly not harmful. So, why are females often ready for a conversation about tomorrow's activities or the purpose of life while some males are already halfway to dreamland?

According to a research study conducted in the Netherlands in 2005, females exhibit greater concentration than males during sexual activity, with their minds fully dedicated to achieving orgasm. This is because their amygdala and hippocampus, which regulate emotions, essentially deactivate. They become completely engrossed in the act of sex, well, at least if they are fully absorbed in it. "Once we have reached climax, we return to our physical selves," states an article in Bustle discussing this phenomenon. However, after sex, there is a shift, and it is at this point that they experience the pleasant release of oxytocin, often referred to as the "cuddle chemical." A study revealed that individuals with high levels of testosterone produce less oxytocin after sex, and men typically have high testosterone levels. Some women also have high levels, although not to the same extent. So, gentlemen, the next time you feel less oxytocin, you can attribute it to your testosterone levels. On the other hand, women may not experience a refractory period at all. This is the recovery time that men require before being ready for another round. Note: teenagers may not require much recovery time, but then again, sexual encounters do not always last long for these highly sexualized adolescents. Women are capable of having multiple orgasms and can often resume sexual activity immediately.

But be cautious there, ladies, because intercourse can be more agonizing for you than it can be for men. Women might experience cramps in the uterus, and this is because of the affectionate drug, oxytocin. Let's now refer to that as the two-faced sword chemical. There might also be some discomfort due to the vaginal tissues becoming dry, but lubrication can assist. The tingling sensation doesn't indicate a problem, but obviously if it persists longer than a day or two, it might be something else. And if men see a decrease in size, then women witness the opposite, in their breasts at least. Many women's breasts enlarge after intercourse, and in some women by as much as 25%. According to Women's Health magazine, just how swollen the breasts become varies from woman to woman. The same article also stated, "A woman's clitoris will become very small at the point of climax, almost disappearing. At the same time, women's nipples may become more sensitive, but this is very natural." Other reports say some women become euphoric after intercourse, and others feel a strong sense of confidence, perceiving their bodies as much more appealing than before. Most reports we can find state that while some women may experience a decline in mood after intercourse, it's the men that truly suffer from depression, sometimes lasting for a week. But as the saying goes, what goes up, must come down, and most of the time it's worth the experience. So, does this article accurately depict what happens to your body during intercourse, or did we omit something? Let us know in the comments.