Sleepiness after sex
Mar. 21st, 2007 | 08:05 am
There are many popular answers on male sleepiness after sex, most of which focus on exertion and relaxation. Dr. Patti Britton (undated) on iVillage, S Thompson (2006) on AssociatedContent, and even the book 'Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex? (Leyner and Goldberg, 2006)*. However, scientific publications on the subject appear to be sparse. Brissette et al (1985) found no differences between sleep patterns after orgasm or two control conditions for either men or women.
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scarletazalea points out Melinda Wenner's (2006) column "Why do guys get sleepy after sex?" which suggests the pituitary hormones prolactin, oxytocin, and vasopressin may be the key. Wenner references, for example, Brody and Kruger's (2006) findings that prolactin release is 4 times greater after intercourse than masturbation. However, while prolactin levels increase during sleep (Sassin et al, 1972), it hasn't been linked to increased sleepiness in healthy humans. Wenner suggests that prolactin-excreting tumors may cause sleepiness, but the National Institutes of Health do not list sleepiness as a symptom of prolactinomas. Heinrichs et al (2003) dosed subjects with oxytocin and no change in wakefulness was reported. Similarly, Snel et al (2003) did not find any change in wakefulness with vasopressin administration to male subjects.
Honestly, I think a more interesting question is "Why don't women get sleepy after sex?" I haven't observed additional sleepiness in men after morning sex. I also didn't find any studies demonstrating that men actually were sleepy after sex, or that women weren't. I'm not saying that this isn't the case, but I'd be extremely grateful to anyone who could find such a study.
*Bonus: read or listen: interview with Leyner and Goldberg, authors of Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?, on their title topic. They blame the muscle mass.
scarletazalea points out Melinda Wenner's (2006) column "Why do guys get sleepy after sex?" which suggests the pituitary hormones prolactin, oxytocin, and vasopressin may be the key. Wenner references, for example, Brody and Kruger's (2006) findings that prolactin release is 4 times greater after intercourse than masturbation. However, while prolactin levels increase during sleep (Sassin et al, 1972), it hasn't been linked to increased sleepiness in healthy humans. Wenner suggests that prolactin-excreting tumors may cause sleepiness, but the National Institutes of Health do not list sleepiness as a symptom of prolactinomas. Heinrichs et al (2003) dosed subjects with oxytocin and no change in wakefulness was reported. Similarly, Snel et al (2003) did not find any change in wakefulness with vasopressin administration to male subjects.Honestly, I think a more interesting question is "Why don't women get sleepy after sex?" I haven't observed additional sleepiness in men after morning sex. I also didn't find any studies demonstrating that men actually were sleepy after sex, or that women weren't. I'm not saying that this isn't the case, but I'd be extremely grateful to anyone who could find such a study.
*Bonus: read or listen: interview with Leyner and Goldberg, authors of Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?, on their title topic. They blame the muscle mass.
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A glass of sunshine
Oct. 30th, 2006 | 08:47 am
Linus Pauling may be most famous for his claims about the life-extending properties of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). However dubious his recommendations may be (see QuackWatch or WebMd), it seems that most American adults are not even reaching 60mg/day, the level recommended by the 2005 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) Report. But how does this nutrient affect men and women differently?
Loria et al (2000) found an association between low vitamin C levels and mortality for men, but not for women. Stuart Brody (2002) reported the highly questionable result that high doses of vitamin C improved mood and increased frequency of sexual intercourse, more so in women and men who did not live with a partner. In a separate experiment, Brody et al. (2002) also reported that women in an ascorbic acid/stress test had smaller cortisol (a stress hormone) reactions than men.
According to the 2005 DGAC report, men appear to take in more vitamin C than women (table, but women consumed more vitamin C as a percentage of their diet (table). This is consistent with Garry et al's 1982 study of an elderly population, which found that men had lower serum ascorbic acid levels than women, despite higher intakes. This affect appeared to be disproportionate to body weight differences, suggesting differences in absorption efficiency.
I've always been fascinated by the different men's and women's formulas for daily multivitamins. Even before I admitted to myself that I needed to live as a man to be happy, I took men's multivitamins and came up with elaborate excuses for why they were a better match for my needs than the women's multis. Honestly, I've been blessed with generally fantastic health, and so I can't say I felt any difference one way or another.
Loria et al (2000) found an association between low vitamin C levels and mortality for men, but not for women. Stuart Brody (2002) reported the highly questionable result that high doses of vitamin C improved mood and increased frequency of sexual intercourse, more so in women and men who did not live with a partner. In a separate experiment, Brody et al. (2002) also reported that women in an ascorbic acid/stress test had smaller cortisol (a stress hormone) reactions than men.
According to the 2005 DGAC report, men appear to take in more vitamin C than women (table, but women consumed more vitamin C as a percentage of their diet (table). This is consistent with Garry et al's 1982 study of an elderly population, which found that men had lower serum ascorbic acid levels than women, despite higher intakes. This affect appeared to be disproportionate to body weight differences, suggesting differences in absorption efficiency.
I've always been fascinated by the different men's and women's formulas for daily multivitamins. Even before I admitted to myself that I needed to live as a man to be happy, I took men's multivitamins and came up with elaborate excuses for why they were a better match for my needs than the women's multis. Honestly, I've been blessed with generally fantastic health, and so I can't say I felt any difference one way or another.