THERE’S a few things you expect to feel after some fun between the sheets: hot, sweaty, sleepy, content.
You might even have worked up an appetite.
Dehydration or motion sickness are some reasons you might not be feeling so hot post-sex
But for some, that post-sex haze might be overshadowed by a feeling of nausea.
And according to doctor Shirin Lakhani, an intimate health specialist at Elite Aesthetics, it’s not uncommon to feel sick after a romp.
And it can affect anyone, regardless of their gender, she told Marie Claire.
Along with NHS sexual health nurse Sarah Mulindwa, Dr Lakhani weighed in on why you’re not feeling so hot after sex, what you can do about it, and when to seek help.
First things first, feeling sick after sex does not mean you’re pregnant, Dr Lakhani said.
She emphasised that it’ll longer than a few minutes for sperm to fertilise an egg. You’re probably not suffering a miscarriage either, she added.
1. Your partner might have hit your cervix
If you’ve just had penetrative sex and you’re hit with a bout of nausea, it might be because your partner penetrated you particularly hard and hit your cervix.
“The cervix is full of nerve endings,” Dr Lakhani said.
If the vagus nerve in your cervix is stimulated, it can lower your heartrate and blood pressure which, in turn, will make you feel sick, she explained.
This is called vasovagal syncope. You may be more susceptible to it at certain points of your cycle, as your cervix drops lower during your period.
2. You could be dehydrated
Plain old dehydration could be behind your post-sex sickness, Dr Lakhani went on.
3. Stress, anxiety or nerves
Your nausea could also be down to what’s going on in your head.
You might be feeling stressed or you could be experiencing some performance anxiety.
Dr Lakhani said: “Whether it’s dehydration, nerves, or actual anxiety, post-sex nausea could be your body’s way of telling you that something isn’t quite right.”
4. Endometriosis
If you have pain as well as sickness, it may be a sign of a more serious condition such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disorder or a urinary tract infection (UTI), Lakhani said.
If you suffer from endometriosis, sex can cause nausea if the motion puts pressure on the sensitive tissue growing outside the womb, particularly if you’re due your period, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Leila Frodsham has said.
It’s a good idea to speak to a GP if you’re experiencing pain during or after sex.
Other causes of pain could be cervical infections and fibroids.
5. Sex lasting TOO long
According to Sarah, sex going on for too long is the most common cause of sickness afterwards.
She said: “Around two-thirds of women struggle to climax through intercourse alone and sex can drag on if you are determined to both end with an orgasm.”
Sarah recommend you ramp up your foreplay to make your romp just a little bit shorter. No one’s complaining if it means no nausea.
6. Motionsickness
Lots of movement without a break and headshaking during sex could could give you a feeling akin to car or seasickness, Sarah added.
What can I do to not feel sick after sex?
There’s a few things you could do avoid that, the experts shared.
First of all, make sure vaginal penetration isn’t too hard – this includes fingering. And make sure you’re a position that is comfortable and doesn’t fee forced. If you’re having very vigorous sex, slow down and take it easy, Sarah said.
Try and drink plenty of water throughout the day – you’ll be in tip top shape should the opportunity for a passionate romp present itself.
If you’re still experiencing nausea despite being gentler and keeping hydrated, it might be time to speak to a GP to make sure you haven’t got any underlying conditions that have gone undiagnosed, Dr Lakhani said.
Make sure you’re not feeling uncomfortable or uneasy during sex, she continued.
Sarah also recommended you use lube, stating: “It’s a myth that it’s only for people who are struggling to self lubricate naturally. Sex is always better when it is slippery particularly if you both like to go for a long time.”
Changing positions can also control how deeply you’re penetrated and protect your cervix from getting hit, she continued. Sarah recommended trying sex on your side.
Both experts recommended you consult a GP if you feel sick after sex more than a few times.