{"id":22115,"date":"2024-10-04T07:33:57","date_gmt":"2024-10-04T05:33:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=22115"},"modified":"2024-10-04T07:34:14","modified_gmt":"2024-10-04T05:34:14","slug":"post-sex-depression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/post-sex-depression\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Post-Sex Depression Normal?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever felt sad or depressed immediately after having sex? Even if the sex was enjoyable with a partner you love and respect \u2013 your mood suddenly shifts post-coitus. This may also happen after you orgasm from solo masturbation. Rest assured, you\u2019re not alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Postcoital Dysphoria?<\/h2>\n

Postcoital dysphoria (PCD), or postorgasm dysphoria, refers to feelings of depression and anxiety that spring up after sex without any specific cause. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

While mental health professionals have only recently identified and labeled this condition, and a significant amount of research needs to be done before they are able to pin down exact reasons why it is so common for both males and females to experience unwanted emotions after sexual activity, there are some biological and environmental factors that have been correlated to the condition. <\/span><\/p>\n

Psychological distress or <\/span>past trauma<\/span> may be part of the answer, but it must be emphasized that there are many people who experience postcoital dysphoria who don\u2019t have any history of sexual trauma.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Postcoital Dysphoria Is Not Depression<\/h2>\n

Postcoital dysphoria refers specifically to unwanted emotions after having an orgasm, either from sex or masturbation. You may also know post-sex depression by colloquial terms such as post-orgasmic depression, post-nut syndrome, or post-sex blues. <\/span><\/p>\n

Although the term \u201cdepression\u201d is often used to describe these distressing feelings after sex, postcoital dysphoria is different than depression \u2013 clinical depression is defined as having depressive symptoms every day for a minimum of two weeks, while postcoital dysphoria only happens after you orgasm. <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, these conditions are not mutually exclusive, and you can be clinically depressed and also experience postcoital dysphoria.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do I Have Postcoital Dysphoria?<\/h2>\n

Physicians and therapists can help diagnose postcoital dysphoria, but if you are experiencing significant distress, you don\u2019t need to wait for a diagnosis to seek help. If you think you have PCD, take a peek at the diagnostic criteria listed below:<\/span><\/p>\n