New study seeks to understand ‘post-sex blues’

The research continues on from a study published in the International Journal of Sexual Health which found one in three (32.9 per cent) of more than 200 young women surveyed had experienced the phenomenon at some point in their lives.

And nearly 10 per cent of the women surveyed reported experiencing symptoms such as distress some of the time following consensual sex.

QUT Associate Professor Robert Schweitzer, from QUT's School of Psychology & Counselling, said the follow-up studies would try to better understand the experience and causes of post-coital dysphoria, the experience of negative feelings following consensual sex.

"The original findings are so counter-intuitive. Everyone imagines sex as an enjoyable experience," he said.

"But there seems to be a group of people who, in fact, experience distress following intercourse.

"It's not easy to explain and the area is highly under-researched. There are few published studies on sex in the post-coital period."

The follow-up study involves confidential interviews with women who experience symptoms of post-sex blues such as distress or nostalgia following intercourse.

"We want to gain a better understanding of women's experience following consensual sex," Professor Schweitzer said.

"This study will hopefully help people who experience post-coital dysphoria realise that they are not alone," he said.

"Once we understand the experience we can start thinking about the role of clinicians in assisting people to understand and to address issues causing concern."

To participate in the interview study on post-sex blues, contact researcher Geoff Francis on ga.francis@connect.qut.edu.au or call 0449 208 179.

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Media contacts:
-Alita Pashley, QUT media officer, 07 3138 1841 or alita.pashley@qut.edu.au
-Stephanie Harrington, QUT media officer, 07 3138 1150 or stephanie.harrington@qut.edu.au