# Bodies' reaction to ejaculation **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 18, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bodies-reaction-to-ejaculation/176110 "2003-05-18T21:28:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bodies-reaction-to-ejaculation/176110/1 "2003-05-18T21:28:01Z")
How does the male body react _biologically_ after an intense bout of sex and/or ejaculation? I would like as comprehensive of a list of all reactions/processes _and their effects_ as possible, but going into detail is not required, because I probably would not understand most of the details. The reason I ask is I am a recreational athlete and weightlifter and would like to know the physical condition of my body and the physical strengths and/or weaknesses created shortly after such an activity (3 hours). ---
**Author:** ![Lizard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@Lizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lizard)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2003, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bodies-reaction-to-ejaculation/176110/2 "2003-05-18T22:26:46Z")
Can’t you just ah, experiment? As for me, I’m usually pretty tired. ---
**Author:** ![sivispacem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b19c9b/32.png) [@sivispacem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sivispacem)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2003, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bodies-reaction-to-ejaculation/176110/3 "2003-05-18T22:30:22Z")
I think I’ve read that for a short period of time after ejaculation testosterone levels are raised, so you would actually get a better lift - brings a whole new meaning to “juicing.” ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2003, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bodies-reaction-to-ejaculation/176110/4 "2003-05-18T22:52:37Z")
[http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3\_212a.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_212a.html) I was hoping for more info… oh well, maybe Cecil was really busy that day! ---
**Author:** ![Cavalier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/97f17d/32.png) [@Cavalier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cavalier)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bodies-reaction-to-ejaculation/176110/5 "2003-05-19T02:38:24Z")
I was under the impression sex was beneficial to female athletes, detrimental to male, because of the changes in hormone levels it causes. Some posters on [this](http://www.cyclingforums.com/showthread/t-635.html) cycling forum thought the same thing, but [this website](http://www.drbobmartin.com/2k_11_21news16.html) says sex has no effect. ---
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bodies-reaction-to-ejaculation/176110/6 "2003-05-19T05:20:05Z")
I thought that serum test. levels dropped immediately after ejaculation, and then spiked upward to meet the new demand. Is this true? If so, how much time does this take? ---
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bodies-reaction-to-ejaculation/176110/7 "2003-05-19T05:21:40Z")
Also, I am not talking about the night before. Obviously there is no effect from that. Note my question was talking about the short term effects, 3 hours. I am sure after 3 hours all systems are back to normal, correct? ---
**Author:** ![gonzalo\_de\_cordoba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/848f3c/32.png) [@gonzalo\_de\_cordoba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzalo_de_cordoba)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bodies-reaction-to-ejaculation/176110/8 "2003-05-19T22:22:11Z")
Erection = reaction from activation of sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight). Ejaculation = reaction from activation of parasympathetic nervous system (feed-n-breed). I would guess that both would have to be working well for good sex. If you are weightlifting, exercising, running from the cops, whatever, and shortly later you start getting it on, your body still must have the hormonal and cardio stamina to get your blood pressure, pulse, vascular constriction all up all over again; in addition, you need to make sure you have all your electrolytes replenished for your heart to work and beat strongly, and all on short notice, in order to have your sympathetic nervous system activated. In short, the key is the body’s ability to make a rapid recovery, and a lot goes into that. Sorry, I don’t have time for more details. ---
**Author:** ![Fuel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df705f/32.png) [@Fuel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuel)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2003, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bodies-reaction-to-ejaculation/176110/9 "2003-05-20T18:32:40Z")
633 views… I guess _no one on SDMB_ knows the answer to this reasonable, real-life, personally applicable, medically relevant question? Geez, some good questions just fall through the cracks, huh? **gonzalo de cordoba** , thanks but I noticed you mentioned working out and then having sex… that is not at all what I was asking about. Again, what are **all** the biological effects of ejaculation on a shortly following workout. Try to ignore the activity of sex, however rough and cardiovascular it may be, and focus on the effects of ejaculation itself, to make things more simple. Obviously ejaculation itself still has some element of emotional stimulation (masturbation or oral), which will play into this question I guess.