Frequently asked questions about ejaculation and its hormones
Why do you feel sleepy after ejaculation?
Prolactin rises right after orgasm and stays high for about an hour (Krüger, 2003). It may play a role in relaxation and sleepiness, but the link is not proven. Tiredness, the late hour and relaxation after the effort also count.
How long does the refractory period last?
From a few minutes to several hours depending on the man, and it gets longer with age. Prolactin might be involved, but this is still debated (Krüger, 2002).
Does ejaculation lower testosterone?
No, not noticeably in the following hour: in studies, testosterone changes little, while prolactin rises clearly (Krüger, 2003).
What happens to the heart during orgasm?
Heart rate and blood pressure rise during arousal and peak at orgasm, then quickly return close to rest (Krüger, 1998). The effort stays moderate and the maximum lasts only a few seconds; differences between people are so large that the often quoted comparison with “two flights of stairs” does not hold (Bohlen, 1984).