THE REFRACTORY PERIOD

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Written by:✓

Katie Lasson
Sex and Relationship Adviser

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Veronika Matutyte
Medical Doctor

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Barbara Santini
Psychologist and Sex and Relationships Advisor

The refractory phase is the interval following an orgasm in which an individual is sexually inactive. The refractory period can also have psychological and physiological consequences.

An individual's desire for sex may wane, or they may be unable to have intercourse during the refractory period. The person won't be able to have an erection, ejaculate, or orgasm. Scientists have widely researched the refractory phase in males. The refractory period in women is more contentious.

What the Refractory Period entails

An individual's desire for sex may be momentarily lost during the refractory period. The resolution phase of sex is defined by experts as to how a person feels pleased, usually after orgasm or, mostly in the case of males, ejaculation. The refractory period begins. A male cannot have an erection during the refractory phase. According to Wibowo & Wassersug (2016), a physiological refractory phase occurs when a person is physically incapable of having sex again.

Females could have several orgasms, implying that they do not have a physiological refractory period. Furthermore, even if a woman is not actively aroused, her genitals might stay lubricated after sexual activity, enabling intercourse simpler.

Therefore, both males and females might go through a psychological refractory period. Whenever an individual somehow doesn't desire to have intercourse again, this psychological type occurs. They may be content and want to avoid sexual interaction right away. During this time, some individuals may feel sleepy.

According to Baumeister (2000), the cycle of a sex drive is comparable to that of other enjoyable activities. It starts with an increase in desire, progresses to gratifying that need, and ends with a decrease in desire.

Refractory Period for Males

During the refractory period, a man has to get an erection or ejaculate. This reaction is frequently accompanied by a psychological refractory period wherein the individual is uninterested in sex. Depending on the individual, the refractory period might last a few minutes to 24 hours or longer, as Ravelli  & Allessie (1997) revealed.

Researchers don't know exactly what causes the refractory phase or why its time differs so greatly among individuals. Not all guys experience a refractory phase.

Öznur et al. (2014) revealed that a 25-year-old man who did not have a refractory phase, the man did not emit the hormone prolactin after ejaculating, as most men do. According to the report above, prolactin may play a role in deciding whether a man can have many orgasms. Nevertheless, because this was a tiny study and females create higher prolactin after orgasm, experts need to dig deeper. Some males discover that they might orgasm before ejaculating, enabling several "dry" orgasms with no refractory time.

Refractory Period for Females

Some women are physically capable of doing so again although some lose interest in sexual activity following an orgasm. Some women, though, do experience a physiological refractory period. A female's clitoris can be sensitive to undertake sexual intercourse after orgasm. This symptom was described by 96 percent of the 174 females, and many did not choose to have intercourse again. Much of the study regarding refractory periods has been done on men, experts know very little about how women react. Researchers must do additional research to grasp a wider range of viewpoints.

Age-Related Changes

As people age,  the sexual drive begins to deteriorate, prolonging the duration it takes for one to be physically and psychologically sexually aroused. Individuals might even require more time to recover from the following sex, resulting in a longer refractory period.

The length of an individual's refractory period, while they are younger, will impact how it alters as they grow older. Anyone who has a prolonged refractory period as a youngster may find it extends over time.

Factors That Influence the Length of the Refractory Period

Some factors, such as: can influence the duration of the refractory period

• A person's general well-being
• The quality of the relationship
• The standard of sex
• Sex occurrence

During intercourse, dopamine plays an important function. Dopamine levels might impact whether or not a man could get an erection. Nevertheless, too much dopamine might lead to sexual health issues. Exercise, for example, can assist manage dopamine levels.

Other joyful activities, such as learning a new skill, having a pleasant discussion, or overcoming a new task, might increase dopamine levels. Experts do not understand the link involving dopamine levels and the refractory period.

Reducing the Refractory Period

The internet is full of suggestions for reducing refractory time. While internet forum tactics may be effective for certain individuals, there is insufficient evidence to back them up. Sexual health can benefit from the same measures that increase general health. Sexual health is linked to cardiovascular health. Try the following if you wish to increase your overall health and sexual function:

• Walking, jogging or gymnastics are all examples of cardiovascular exercise.
• Keeping a healthy body composition
• Consuming a nutrient-rich diet
• Underlining health issues, such as diabetes, are being treated or managed

Some people undertake pelvic floor exercises to minimize the refractory period. These movements are known as pelvic floor muscle training. There is no evidence that pelvic floor muscle training reduces the refractory period. Nevertheless, it has the potential to enhance both male and female sexual functions. An individual may contract the muscles used to urinate, hold for a few seconds, then release and repeat to practice pelvic floor muscle training. Erectile dysfunction medication may lessen the refractory time in men.

Takeaways

The length of the refractory period differs from one individual to the next. Whereas the refractory period continues to climb with age, additional variables, including an individual's cardiovascular condition, can influence how long they cannot have intercourse again.

If individuals want to decrease the refractory time, they can attempt simple procedures like pelvic floor muscle training, although it's uncertain whether this will help. Other strategies to enhance comprehensive sexual performance may be suggested by a doctor or therapist who specializes in sexual health. Do not be ashamed of your sexual conditions for they are normal and treatable. You can have a happy sex life with the knowledge above.

References

Baumeister, R. F. (2000). Gender Differences In Erotic Plasticity: The Female Sex Drive As Socially Flexible And Responsive. Psychological Bulletin, 126(3), 347.

Öznur, T., Akarsu, S., Karaahmetoğlu, B., & Doruk, A. (2014). A Rare Symptom Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Spontaneous Ejaculation. The American Journal Of Case Reports, 15, 69.

Ravelli, F., & Allessie, M. (1997). Effects Of Atrial Dilatation On Refractory Period And Vulnerability To Atrial Fibrillation In The Isolated Langendorff-Perfused Rabbit Heart. Circulation, 96(5), 1686-1695.

Wibowo, E., & Wassersug, R. J. (2016). Multiple Orgasms In Men—What We Know So Far. Sexual Medicine Reviews, 4(2), 136-148.