Why So Many Women Suffer From 'Post-Sex Blues'
By Carmelia Ray. Posted on .
![Why So Many Women Suffer From 'Post-Sex Blues' [EXPERT]](http://images.tangomag.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/node-full/image_blog/blues.jpg "Why So Many Women Suffer From 'Post-Sex Blues' [EXPERT]")
Studies show that 10 percent of women experience "post-coital dysphoria" or "post-sex blues" following intercourse — even satisfactory intercourse.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Sexual Health, one in three of more than 200 young women surveyed had experienced the phenomenon at some point in their lives. In fact, right now, the Queensland University of Technology in Australia is actively looking for women to participate in specific research to understand what's happening in the minds and bodies of these women that trigger negative emotions.
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One would assume that following great sex, we're all left feeling spent, relaxed, rested and satiated. On the contrary, some of us feel great distress, want to curl up in a ball and cry for no apparent reason. Because there is very little research surrounding this condition, it's not easy to explain, and it's challenging to diagnose.
What is known about post-sex blues is that immediately following consensual sexual activity, you may feel sadness, anxiety, depression, restlessness, regret and irritability. Luckily, this situation is not an everyday occurrence.
I can see where many social, psychological and relationship factors could play a huge role to how one feels after having sex. For example, if you just had sex in a "one-night stand" situation, following sex you may feel instant regret. In fact, it may happen during sex! If you have had sex "on the rebound," or with an ex-boyfriend, or ex-partner that you swore you'd never go back to, you wouldn't need any clinical research to explain why you might feel depressed. It's almost understandable in cases where great sex with the wrong partner could cause "post-sex blues."
In many cases for women, having sex or making love, is associated with partnership, expression of love and care, physical desire, exclusivity and intimacy in a healthy relationship. If any of these are lacking or missing, leading up to or during the sexual experience, the outcome or "post-sex" results, are feelings of regret, anxiety, restlessness and the "What did I just do?" feeling.
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As a woman, I can recall quite a few instances where I suffered from "post-coital dysphoria." The reasons I attribute to this condition, were bad timing, or decision making, being with the wrong partner, bad sex and feelings of insecurity, about the relationship or my self-image at the time. Continue reading ...
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