Sex is one of the most natural and beneficial forms of pleasure for the human body. During those intimate moments, it’s obvious that you tend to not understand or realize what your body is feeling exactly, as there is too much happening. Surely the feeling of pleasure, the satisfied, uplifted mood are all there. But after the intercourse, there’s something more than your body emotes, and you need to pay attention to it.
So, to give you a better picture, we’ve listed some of the symptoms one can experience after the intercourse and we’ll help you better understand what to worry about and what not to.
Here are some things, you may have experienced and are completely normal when engaging in sexual activity with a partner/s or in self-pleasure.
- Headaches : No, headaches aren’t an excuse for your partner to reject sex. They’re very real. Often called “ post-coital cephalgia” or “headaches after intercourse ”, these can be a variety of experiences. There are :
- Pre-orgasmic headaches : These occur as a dull pain in your head and neck and lead to feeling stiffness in the neck or jaw muscles. These headaches worsen with sexual excitement and are not your usual migraine.
- Orgasmic headache : It’s not a completely happy ending,( pun intended) for those who experience this kind of pain. As the name suggests, orgasmic headaches occur as an explosive pain with your orgasm.
Headaches during or after sex are a benign happening. OTC painkillers will help you reduce the pain. But if they are interfering with intimacy and your sexual experience overall, you need to seek help.
Warning Signs - If nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and fever after intercourse are associated with such a headache it is NOT normal. Seek immediate help if this is the case.
- Sleepiness : Sexual activity is like a workout for the entire body. And just like we feel tired after cardio, feeling tired after sex is very normal. When the body is tired, it naturally demands sleep and rest, and we should allow the same. The hormone oxytocin is often released during sex making you feel excited. As the effects of oxytocin wear off, you may feel tired. So next time you feel sleepy after sex, rest assured that it is only because you had a good one and your body is happy and relaxed.
- Anxiety : We often try to find peace in everything we do. And to expect that feeling of satisfaction from sex is quite normal. But once that intimate moment is over, we tend to keep looking for the feeling to continue and let the anxiety kick in. Sometimes the anxiety is also because of performance pressure. So avoid thinking about it once it’s over and focus on resting for a while.
- Feeling Emotional : A hormone called oxytocin aka ‘love hormone’ is released, right during sexual activity. It is known to enhance the sense of closeness to a partner and bring in that rush that sex gives. So, if you feel so, it is because this happy hormone brings in that feeling for you. It’s just your mind and body’s way of telling you how happy they are.
- Mild Cramps : The continuous thrusting might bring some mild discomfort in the lower abdomen. The jerks or sometimes even a wrong position can cause these mild cramps. Oxytocin also tends to cause mild contractions in your uterus that can feel like crampy pain in your lower belly. However, if it persists and doesn’t go away naturally, it might be a lot more serious than just any other mild cramp.
Did you know ?
Post-coital tristesse (PCT) is a feeling of anxiety and melancholy after sex that could last anywhere between 5 minutes to 2 hours. PCT, can affect persons of all genders, occurs only after sex and does not need you to orgasm. PCT has more emotional symptoms than physical.
What’s not normal and is not very common after sex
- Painful Abdomen after intercourse : As mentioned in the above point, if you feel that the lower belly cramps are severe and you are unable to do your normal routine work, you immediately need to seek in-person care. Pain that stays for several hours after sex, is not normal and there can be other reasons for the same. Hence, ignoring this is not recommended. This is especially relevant to those who have been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst (Not PCOS).
- Burning while you pee : Unprotected sex can often increase your risk for a UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). But, despite maintaining hygiene, if you still feel a burning sensation constantly when you pee, it might be a symptom of infection and requires immediate medical attention. Other symptoms of a UTI can be: wanting to pee frequently and noticing a change in the colour of your pee.
- Extreme Vaginal bleeding : Many women experience spotting after sex and it is okay. But if it’s moved from spotting to bleeding and brings in the need of using a sanitary napkin, you should contact your doctor immediately. Vaginal bleeding after intercourse, when you aren’t on your period can be indicative of an infection, injury or inflammation within your reproductive organs.
- Nausea : Pain and the movement experienced during sex can cause mild nausea. This feeling can be relieved by rest and hydration. If the nausea is persistent and does not abate in a while, seek help!
Let’s talk Vaginal Discharge after sex !
While a change in vaginal discharge through the month is completely physiological, you may also see some changes after sex, orgasm and self-pleasure.
Sexual arousal may have your vagina secreting a more clear, watery discharge that was meant to aid lubrication. Coupled with your usual vaginal discharge, it may appear white and milky. It's completely normal for your vaginal discharge to feel and smell different after sex. If a male partner has ejaculated inside you, the vagina may also leak out semen when you stand up.
Seek a specialist’s consultation when - your discharge causes itching, leaves a foul odour or you feel the need to use panty liners or pads for that discharge.
Enjoying sex is important, but it is equally important to be aware of what your body experiences after it and the signs it gives out. Above everything, only you can know and understand your body the best. If you feel like something is off, seek medical attention immediately.
Disclaimer: This information is educational and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before making any dietary changes or adding supplements.
Proactive For Her is a digital clinic for women, offering accessible, personalised, and confidential healthcare solutions. We offer out-patient care, diagnostic services and programs for various health concerns of Indian women, across their lifetime - from puberty to pregnancy to menopause.