Sex

Feeling Sad After Sex? You Might Have PCD

For most couples, sex is supposed to be some kind of fantastic, magical, passionate, and perfect event that brings them close together. In the movies, sex is always a whirlwind of lips and sheets and sounds (oh, my!) that invariably ends in some sort of euphoria with a perfect(-ly-staged) picture of the happy couple after having completed such an intimate bonding experience. For many couples in the real world, however, that’s not how it always goes. If you’re left feeling sad after sex, there might be a reason why…

What is PCD?

Post-coital dysphoria, more commonly known as PCD and sometimes as post-coital tristesse (PCT), is a common yet relatively invisible and under-researched phenomenon that many people experience after consensual sex or any kind of sexual interaction. PCD at its base level is pretty much exactly what it sounds like- a sense of sadness after completing sexual acts. It can definitely be more complex than that, however.

PCD doesn’t just create a sense of general sadness, but it can also lead to extreme emotions like aggression, irritability, uncontrollable crying, a feeling of isolation or loneliness, and depressive episodes. PCD is much more common for women than it is for men, but that fact doesn’t serve to minimize the experience of either group. Those who experience it may also experience confusion, asking themselves: Why do I feel like this? They may even downplay or even blame themselves for their symptoms: Nothing is wrong, so I shouldn’t feel this awful. I’m just being a baby.

These are all fallacies.

What causes PCD?

As with many mental and physical illnesses, PCD can’t always be linked to one specific factor. However, the most common underlying factor for all those affected is the biochemical changes that occurs in the body during sex. Don’t get too overwhelmed, the biochemical change just refers to the rush of emotions that one feels during sex: the adrenaline, the climax, and then, just like when you eat too much sugar, the crash. Sometimes this crash affects people much more intensely than others, and this is what we know as PCD.

There could also be underlying causes not linked to the biochemical rushes experienced by the body, however. Unresolved conflicts between sexual partners and maybe even unrealized tensions could be getting in the way of your euphoria. Sex is, whether wittingly or unwittingly, a physical bonding experience of sorts, but if there’s something outside of the bedroom that’s begun to get in the way of that bonding, then the sex might feel physically satisfying yet emotionally meaningless to some without the rest of the emotional bonding.

See Also

How common is it?

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, nearly 46% percent of people surveyed experienced symptoms of PCD at some point in their sexual lives. Of those 46%, 5.1% reported having experienced PCD within the last month. While there is a lack of research on the phenomenon, you can be sure that you’re not alone if you’ve experienced some of these symptoms following sex.

And if you do find yourself struggling with PCD, be open about it with your partner. Chances are, if you’re close enough to be having sex, you’re close enough to be honest and understanding with each other about how you feel afterwards.

If you’ve had any similar experience of feeling sad after sex, feel free to share your thoughts down below!
Share
Kassidy Barber

My name is Kassidy Barber, I'm 20 years old, and I'm currently working on my B.A. in English with a minor in web communications at the University of Alabama in Huntsville! I love video games, lots of T.V. shows, dogs, and especially food (both cooking and eating)!

Recent Posts

10 Things You Will Never Hear A Student Say At Liberty University

Liberty University is full of its perks, but there are still some things that don’t compare to other Virginia universities.…

1 hour ago

10 People You’ll Always Run Into At The University Of Florida

There are certain people at the University of Florida that you can't help but run into on a daily basis…

5 hours ago

10 Student Instagrammers You Need To Follow From UNH

Scrolling through Instagram, double tapping your friends pic is an everyday thing. Sure you scroll through your feed and have…

16 hours ago

10 Gifs That Accurately Describe What It’s Like To Be A Student At San Diego State University

Every student at San Diego State University knows they have a great lifestyle at one of the best universities. We've…

21 hours ago

5 DIY Body Scrubs Perfect For The Winter

The cool winds of winter are creeping in, and you might be noticing your skin getting a little dry.  Don't…

1 day ago

15 Small Gestures That Will Instantly Make Your Partner Feel Appreciated

There are so many ways to make your partner feel appreciated. It doesn't have to be a huge gift or…

1 day ago