# Refractory Period: Where'd it go? (TMI) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 13, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278 "2005-07-13T02:23:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fringe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b5a626/32.png) [@Fringe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fringe)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/1 "2005-07-13T02:23:22Z")
There is an unfortunate event during sexual stimulation involving a male that follows ejaculation. It is known as the refractory period. The refractory period is a time when a male is unable to immediately have another erection and as a result is not (typically) open to further stimulation or ejaculation. I’ve been sexually active for a number of years, and I’ve come to know the refractory period as an unfortunate but ubiquitous experience following the climax of stimulation. Until recently. I cannot fathom why it is so, but recently I have been able to maintain a full erection and continue sexual stimulation despite having a full orgasm and ejaculation. I’ve read that such a thing is not unheard of, but my question goes beyond this. From what I’ve read, I’ve had the impression that when a male is capable of this, they have always done this. For me, it is a recent development that happens about every other time I engage in sexual stimulation. I’m 21 years old. Why has it changed now? Is this unusual, or unheard of? ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/2 "2005-07-13T03:08:58Z")
Have you, er, started taking certain email advertisers up on their offers? ---
**Author:** ![Fringe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b5a626/32.png) [@Fringe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fringe)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/3 "2005-07-13T03:18:54Z")
> [@Mr2001](#): > > Have you, er, started taking certain email advertisers up on their offers? No, the only sort of “treatment” I’ve had lately consisted of two tylenols earlier today. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/4 "2005-07-13T03:28:38Z")
> [@Fringe](#): > > No, the only sort of “treatment” I’ve had lately consisted of two tylenols earlier today. :::checks his supply of tylenol::: ---
**Author:** ![Rhubarb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/59ef9b/32.png) [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/5 "2005-07-13T05:26:56Z")
You’re 21. All manner of miracles are possible. If you can manage this at 51, then I’ll be amazed. ---
**Author:** ![wenonahbone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b4bc9f/32.png) [@wenonahbone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wenonahbone)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/6 "2005-07-13T06:26:12Z")
New girl/boy friend? ---
**Author:** ![Fringe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b5a626/32.png) [@Fringe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fringe)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/7 "2005-07-13T12:25:45Z")
> [@wenonahbone](#): > > New girl/boy friend? No, same lady for about a year now. I’m just very curious as to why this is developing now. Anyone have any ideas on it? ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/8 "2005-07-13T12:55:43Z")
FWIW, I have never had much of a refractory period at all. I can usually go at least a couple times before I take a break. However it isn’t as grand as it seems, the lady usually wants to stop before that becomes an issue. The trick is to mix activities up to give her a breather. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/9 "2005-07-13T16:25:52Z")
I don’t have a refractory period either. I can either stop or not stop. (I tend to feel satisfied but I can also be quite greedy sometimes). If I don’t stop the blood stays in the caverno-whatchamacallit tissue and things continue as before. Except that each orgasm is increasingly difficult to chase down until eventually there’s one dancing out there beyond my reach and I run out of steam. ---
**Author:** ![Scupper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Scupper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scupper)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/10 "2005-07-13T16:47:34Z")
You lucky, lucky bastards. I hate you. ---
**Author:** ![Fringe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b5a626/32.png) [@Fringe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fringe)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/11 "2005-07-13T17:16:40Z")
> [@Scupper](#): > > You lucky, lucky bastards. I hate you. Don’t spread the hate Scupper, as it’s apparently something that can develop rather than being intrinsic. **AHunter3** , you say you also do not have a refractory period. Were you always like this, or did it suddenly change a point in your life? ---
**Author:** ![Fringe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b5a626/32.png) [@Fringe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fringe)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/12 "2005-07-13T17:18:00Z")
Rather, I mean to say, were you always like this, or did it suddenly change **at a** point in your life? It seems one thing I have yet to develop is the ability to preview a post. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2005, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/13 "2005-07-13T17:49:55Z")
1 out of 5 times I have no refractory period so to speak. My erection maintains for several minutes after orgasm. Usually it remains unused since my partner and I are both satisfied. When I was 13, 14… I had no refractory period… but alas no other person to enjoy it with beside myself. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/14 "2005-07-14T00:07:57Z")
> [@Fringe](#): > > There is an unfortunate event during sexual stimulation involving a male that follows ejaculation. It is known as the refractory period. The refractory period is a time when a male is unable to immediately have another erection Aha! ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/15 "2005-07-14T00:25:20Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > give her a breather I thought this put her at risk of an embolism. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/16 "2005-07-14T03:25:48Z")
> [@Fringe](#): > > Rather, I mean to say, were you always like this, or did it suddenly change **at a** point in your life? > > It seems one thing I have yet to develop is the ability to preview a post. I think I was always this way, although it may have taken me a while to realize the, umm, potentials. ---
**Author:** ![matt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@matt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2005, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/refractory-period-whered-it-go-tmi/312278/17 "2005-07-14T08:42:38Z")
Just a data point - never encountered the refractory period. Didn’t know it existed before this thread.