Personal Relationship Counseling & Consulting | Alpharetta, GA | 30009

Eddie Reece in Alpharetta, GA specialized in helping individuals improve their daily relationships in work, life and love. Sign up today

Text Size:+-
Eddie Reece, MS, LPC, BC-TMH
A Concierge Counseling Practice
(770) 671-1814 | eddie@eddiereece.com
  • Home
  • Find Relief
    • Relationship Struggles?
    • Stress & Anxiety?
    • Mid or 3/4 Life Crisis?
    • Feeling Down?
    • Stuck in Grief or Loss?
    • Improve Your Sex Life
    • My Concierge Services
    • Business Consulting
    • Sports Enhancement
    • Celebrity, High Profile Client?
    • Speaking Engagements
  • Contact Eddie
  • Location, Fees & Insurance
  • About Eddie
    • Learn More About Me
    • Testimonials
  • Reviews
    • Leave A Review
  • Resources
    • Helpful Books & DVD’s
    • Articles
    • Community Resources
    • Support Groups
  • Blog

“Why Am I Sad After Sex?” Postcoital Dysphoria & Other Causes

Posted on 10.20.18

It may be difficult to face or admit, but it’s a feeling many of us have experienced: sadness after sex. Even if the sex was great and satisfying, the feeling of sadness or depression after sex is more common than you might believe. According to a 2015 study done on Postcoital Dysphoria, 46% of women respondents reported feelings of sadness after sex.

While there are numerous factors that can contribute to a feeling of sadness after sex, there are some that are more frequently experienced than others.

Postcoital Dysphoria

Postcoital Dysphoria (PCD) or “post-sex blues” is the experience of a negative feeling after sex which can consist of tearfulness, melancholy or depression, anxiety, agitation, or aggression. PCD is a normal, biological condition that can be experienced by both men and women. If you sometimes feel sadness after sex, the reason may be biological.

Lack of Connection with Your Partner

A feeling of sadness after sex can also be because you lack a deep emotional connection to your partner. While some people can shut down the emotional side of sex, and are able to have casual sex or a “one-night stand”, some people are not. If you need a meaningful emotional connection in order to be happy with your sexual experiences, there’s nothing wrong with you. Be honest with yourself and assess if you’re able to view sex as a fun, feel-good activity, or if you need a deeper connection. It’s more hurtful to yourself in the long run if you try to force casual encounters when you’re unable to truly enjoy them.

PTSD

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD is a psychiatric disorder that can develop in people who’ve experienced or witnessed a traumatic or life-threatening event. If you suffered a violent or sexual assault, even if you feel you’ve recovered from that event, the source of your post-sex blues could be PTSD. Memories of the assault might come to mind during sex, triggering you to re-experience that traumatic event.

Your Upbringing

A strict religious upbringing, or being raised in a home where you were made to feel ashamed about your sexuality can also be the cause of a melancholy feeling after sex. It’s not uncommon for people with a strict religious upbringing to feel panic, anxiety or depression after sex, with their issues deeply rooted in associating sex and sexuality with shame.

There are many factors that can contribute to a sad feeling after sex. A bad relationship, self-esteem issues, regret in your choice of partner, drug and/or alcohol abuse, to name a few, can all be possible factors in feelings of sadness after sex. The right therapist can work with you to determine what’s causing your upset, and help you find ways to combat the sadness and deal with the source of the problem.

If you’re struggling with this issue and need support and guidance, I can help. Call my office today and let’s schedule a time to talk.

Categories: Sexual Health

Leave a Comment Cancel

List of Posts

  • Understanding The Duality Of Life
  • Understanding Your Inner Parts: Discovering The Multiple Selves Within
  • Do We Have A Mental Health Crisis?
  • Show Stoppers – Money, Sex, & Death
  • Boosting Immunity Through The Mind-Body Connection
  • The Power Of Empathy In Relationship Building – Relationships, Part 2
  • Building Stronger Bonds Through Relationship Therapy – Relationships, Part 1
  • Freedom From Holiday Stress: Rethinking Traditions And Finding Meaning
  • How Fantasy Shapes Our Lives, Part 1
  • Breaking Down Trauma: What It Is And How To Heal
  • Overcoming Division: Finding Common Ground In A Divided World
  • Beyond Hungry Ghosts: Letting Go Of Unmet Expectations
  • Who Needs Therapy? Maybe You (And Why It’s Awesome)
  • Therapy 101: What It Is & Why It Matters
  • From Psychotherapy Networker: Were You Raised by a Four-Year-Old?
  • How to Leave a Review
  • Benefits of a Mental Health Day from Work or School
  • Creating a Parenting Plan
  • Sex Therapy for Performance Anxiety in Men
  • The Power of Vulnerability
  • Knowing When to End a Relationship
  • 3 Reasons Why Men Should Try Therapy
  • How to Navigate Challenging Life Transitions
  • Therapy for Divorce
  • Tips for Coping with Social Isolation
  • Does Therapy for “Baby Blues” Work?
  • Normative Male Alexithymia: Let’s Talk About It
  • Recognizing the Signs of Postpartum Depression and Getting Help
  • Dealing with Painful Intercourse
  • Lean on Me: Why People with a Mental Health Crisis Need a Support Network
  • Sex Therapy for Intimacy Issues
  • The Benefits of Online Therapy
  • What is Positive Parenting?
  • How Counseling Can Help You Reach Your Goals in the New Year
  • How Sex Therapy Can Lead to More Intimacy
  • Understanding Sexual Desire Issues
  • Does Online Couple’s Therapy Work?
  • Communication Tips for Couples in Recovery
  • Therapy vs. Antidepressants – Which One is Better?
  • Can Long-Term Isolation Lead to an Addiction?
  • What is Therapeutic Mediation?
  • The Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Families
  • Benefits of Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction and Sexual Anxiety
  • Mental Health Therapy for Frontline Workers
  • Are You Doing Self-Care All Wrong?
  • Fighting Loneliness During Quarantine
  • Is it Safe to Go Back to In-Person Therapy Sessions?
  • 5 Strategies to Calm Your Anxiety Quickly
  • The Best Medicine is a Treadmill: How Daily Exercise Can Treat Depression
  • The Amazing Benefits of Meditation

Here's my blog post, "What is Love?" https://t.co/wTrmpxP9my Define love wrong & your relationships will be a struggle #rethinklove&romance

— Eddie Reece, MS, LPC (@EddieReeceLPC) April 1, 2016

Daniel is a Premium WordPress Theme Built on Genesis

Getting Along | A WEBSITE BY BRIGHTER VISION