Medical research council Inserm have found that men really do need to sleep after sex as their brains are designed to switch off after the act.
This will be reassuring for women who’ve often been left feeling unwanted, insecure and craving affection from their partners after sex.
The scientists scanned a man’s brain before, during and after orgasm and found that the cerebral cortex (the thinking part of the brain) shuts down.
Although after sex women often still feel aroused, this is different for men. Once they’ve had sex the cingulate cortex and amygdala tell the rest of a man’s brain to deactivate from sexual desire.
Added to this, the surge of chemicals such as oxytocin and serotonin which are known for their sleep inducing effects, are released into the brain and cause a man to become drowsy.
Neuroscientist Serge Stoleru, who leads a group at Inserm, said, “These experiments give us the first hints as to what happens in the brain during orgasm. After men have an orgasm they usually experience a refractory period when they cannot be aroused.
“For women it seems to be different. They don’t seem to have such a strong refractory period and may be asking for more when their partners just want a rest.”
Although most men will fall asleep after sex, some men have even been known to fall asleep during sex thanks to the vast amount of oxytocin and serotonin being released into the brain.
This research will certainly be the excuse that men have been waiting for but I doubt it will be any use in avoiding a telling off if you fall asleep during sex.
Has your man ever fallen asleep during sex? Let us know by commenting below or tweeting us @FemaleFirst_UK
Cara Mason
by Cara Mason
find me on 
and follow me on 
