# Male Sexuality Question
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [May 29, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445 "2002-05-29T21:25:07Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Daoloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daoloth)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2002, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/1 "2002-05-29T21:25:07Z")
I’m interested in learning the physiology of the state of being ‘horny’ (i.e. sexual desire but not necessarily arousal).
So, what triggers sexual desire in men?
Is it a hormone? And, from personal experience (maybe TMI for some), “hornyness” (sorry for the more crude term, is there a more formal one?) ends literally within a second after ejaculation.
Why is this?
How does it end so quickly?
Heh, much thanks to anyone who quells my curiousity.
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### Author:  [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)
#### Post date: [May 29, 2002, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/2 "2002-05-29T21:48:15Z")
We still have the propensity to be horny moments after the act, it’s just the desire for a slice of pizza and a nap superceed that need. Consider this similar to recharging batteries. Trust me, men would be thrilled if we could acheive multiples on a regular basis.
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### Author:  [@rockboots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockboots)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2002, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/3 "2002-05-30T18:30:26Z")
I know usually men loose their interest after the first ejaculation but I assure you this has nothing to do with being horny. I know this to be a fact because thank God I have the horniest husband in the universe. Now that my sound like I’m embellishing a little but it’s actually true.
Anyway I strongly believe that hornyness is only in the mind and it has nothing to do with the male physiology. My husband is always horny, even after an ejaculation and even if his body can’t respond to his hornyness anymore.
No I don’t know what triggers it because a man couldn’t care less about your sexy clothes, makeup or body. When they’re horny it doesen’t matter if you are wearing sweet pants and you haven’t bathe in days! And when they are not horny not even sexy clothes and sensual perfumes can excite them.
I guess it’s a mistery.
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### Author:  [@archmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/archmichael)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2002, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/4 "2002-05-30T19:43:08Z")
Testosterone seems to play some part in “horniness”. Below is a story about testosterone patches for women who have had hysterectomies, and it lead to a greater interest in sex.
[http://abcnews.go.com/sections/living/DailyNews/testosterone\_women.html](http://abcnews.go.com/sections/living/DailyNews/testosterone_women.html)
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### Author:  [@roadrunner70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/roadrunner70)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2002, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/5 "2002-05-30T19:54:12Z")
I don’t have any idea about why, I’m just glad I am. Horny. All the time. But especially just before and during my SO’s period. I think she gives off an over-abundance of pheromones, (sp?) and that has something to do with it. That, an the Anna Kournikova poster I have taped to the headboard.
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### Author:  [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2002, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/6 "2002-05-30T20:08:57Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Daoloth \*
> \*\*And, from personal experience (maybe TMI for some), “hornyness” (sorry for the more crude term, is there a more formal one?) ends literally within a second after ejaculation.
> \*\*
Same thing with me. Sometimes I’ve even thought “now _why_ did I do _that_ [him]?” It wasn’t as pronounced when I was a teenager, but the anti-horny feeling was there nonetheless. Yes, I’d even go as far as to say “anti-horny,” in my case.
TMI ahead, so I’ll use the spoiler tag for that:
Afterward, I just want to get the sticky goo off my chest, and often, let the guy take care of his “business” (if he bottomed). :eek:
- s.e.
Funny how the “eek” shows up in the spoiler space. Now everyone’s going to want to read it! :rolleyes:
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### Author:  [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)
#### Post date: [May 30, 2002, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/7 "2002-05-30T23:01:46Z")
if that ain’t a threadkiller, i’ve never seen one! 😃
* * *
Jesus was in a coma.
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### Author:  [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/8 "2002-05-31T01:29:59Z")
Okay, I didn’t think there was anything I hadn’t heard of. Maybe it’s some new hip colloquialism I haven’t heard yet, but what does that parenthetical in the spoiler mean?
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### Author:  [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/9 "2002-05-31T01:38:13Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Daoloth \*
> \*\* And, from personal experience “hornyness” ends literally within a second after ejaculation. \*\*
Um, I have, uh _evidence_ that this is not the case for all men.
It’s not the case for _MANY_ men actually. (Or at least many of the men included in my sample population. :D)
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### Author:  [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/10 "2002-05-31T01:42:10Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by acsenray \*
> \*\*Maybe it’s some new hip colloquialism I haven’t heard yet, but what does that parenthetical in the spoiler mean? \*\*
I’m not sure what you’re referring to.
“business” would of course be the mess.
(if he bottomed) would refer to being on the receiving end of bum sex, AFAIK (refering only to sex, as opposed to relationship issues).
Al.
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### Author:  [@caffeine\_overdose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caffeine_overdose)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/11 "2002-05-31T05:31:45Z")
My ‘girlfriend’ and I were just having a conversation like this except it was less scientific and more along the lines “What makes half the neurons in a guys brain turn off and the other half plot on how to get the girl naked.” But that would probably be another thread.
Rockboots-It may be in your head but your brain controls everything else. I can be walking down the street doing differential equations but if I see a girl dressed in a tank-top and short shorts there is only one thing on my mind
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### Author:  [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/12 "2002-05-31T05:52:47Z")
Wow, **alice** , you sure are smart!
Anyway.
I’d like to add further to the mystery by asking what effect Viagra has on “multiples.” I am in fact praying quite heavily…
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### Author:  [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/13 "2002-05-31T05:55:25Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by AlbertRose \*
> **Wow, alice, you sure are smart!**
😕
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### Author:  [@Potter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potter)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/14 "2002-05-31T10:07:43Z")
Arousal (horny), from [http://www.edhealth.org/what\_is\_ed/erection.htm](http://www.edhealth.org/what_is_ed/erection.htm) -
> [@](#):
>
> a result of sexually stimulating touch, sights, sounds or smells, or of sexual thoughts and daydreams. These stimuli result in changes in electrical and chemical activity in part of the brain called the “mid-brain”. These changes result in signals being transmitted down the spinal cord, through several different nerves to “plexi”, or relay centres in the pelvis. From there, the signals pass along paired nerves running either side of the prostate gland, called the “cavernous nerves”, before finally reaching the penis.
Everything I’ve just looked at agreed testosterone has to be present for male arousal to occur, but it doesn’t seem to be causative (IANAD btw).
[http://www.multiorgasmic.com/malerefractoryperiod.htm](http://www.multiorgasmic.com/malerefractoryperiod.htm) -
> [@](#):
>
> not a single scientific investigation has to-date ever been attempted to determine why it is that natural male orgasm and ejaculation trigger the Male Refractory Period in most men. Instead, sexologists simply instruct men to treat the symptom through ejaculatory-control and -delay techniques rather than work toward finding an understanding of MRP and perhaps a true cure should it be possible to circumvent or otherwise overcome MRP, just as the Research Subject’s\* own physiology has somehow naturally accomplished.
IOW, I couldn’t find any cite for a physical factor in why arousal should disappear so quickly after ejaculation. Just that, in most cases, it does.
The thing that interests me is that I don’t lose the ‘hornyness’ factor along with the hard-on. It can be something of a source of frustration that although the mind is still raring to go, the body decides to take a break. I’ve long wondered if my own short refractory period (the bit right after where you couldn’t get hard for love nor money, which apparently can last from 5 minutes to a truly terrifying 24 hours) has anything to do with the fact that I (oversharing waaaay too much here) am somewhat, er, ‘fast’. Not to the point of dysfunction, just don’t expect me to ‘hold back’ for any incredible length of time. But what I have noticed is that just as I may cum faster, I will stay horny and be all ready to go again at around the five-minute mark, and can keep this pattern going a few times in succession. As a ‘bottom’, this works well for me (you can figure out the ‘why’ by yourselves, I’m sure).
Ok, talking much to much about myself here. Going away now…
\*[http://www.multiorgasmic.com/study.htm](http://www.multiorgasmic.com/study.htm) “Six Natural, Fully Ejaculatory Orgasms in 36 Minutes - on the same erection” :eek:
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### Author:  [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/15 "2002-05-31T12:12:47Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by NurseCarmen \*
> \*\*We still have the propensity to be horny moments after the act, it’s just the desire for a slice of pizza and a nap superceed that need. Consider this similar to recharging batteries. Trust me, men would be thrilled if we could acheive multiples on a regular basis. \*\*
I don’t know if I would… I’m 21 and get bored of it all. It’s not that I don’t get horny, it’s just that I’m bored of it.
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### Author:  [@MyFootsZZZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MyFootsZZZ)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/16 "2002-05-31T12:14:56Z")
What’s “TMI”
??
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### Author:  [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/17 "2002-05-31T13:57:03Z")
I thought it was just instinct? Men have to reproduce to create more people so this function
was ingrained in their genetic structure?
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### Author:  [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/18 "2002-05-31T14:01:32Z")
\*\*TMI/b] is Too Much Information, a warning that the following text describes things you may wish you hadn’t known.
For me, neither my horniness nor erection typically drop after first ejaculation. If I DO drop off in tumescence, I am NOT done being horny in the least, and continue with alternate body parts if she likes. But I am a horny bastid.
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### Author:  [@istara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/istara)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/19 "2002-05-31T14:08:38Z")
Pity the poor [**phascogale**](http://home.mira.net/~areadman/phas.htm), who is so exhausted from his orgasm he doesn’t just roll over and sleep, he rolls over and dies…
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### Author:  [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)
#### Post date: [May 31, 2002, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/male-sexuality-question/111445/20 "2002-05-31T14:15:34Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by MyFootsZZZ \*
> \*\*What’s “TMI”
>
> ?? \*\*
Too Much Information.
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