Male Sexual Function, Part 5: Refractory Period and Post-Orgasm Symptoms

Understand recovery after orgasm, from dopamine and prolactin to erection recovery and post-orgasm symptoms.

The refractory period is the time after orgasm before you can have another erection or orgasm. Libido may return before erections do, and touch may still feel uncomfortable. Flu-like illness, brain fog or exhaustion that lasts for days after orgasm is covered under post-orgasmic illness syndrome in section 8.^{[1, 2]}

Contents

1. Identify what limits recovery

2. Dopamine, prolactin and the refractory period

3. Rest, timing and sexual recovery

4. Food and nutrients for energy and recovery

5. When libido returns before erections

6. Medicines for high prolactin

7. Other brain signals involved in recovery

8. Post-orgasmic illness syndrome

9. Low mood after sex

10. Choose the next step