Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It MeansIn MalesIn FemalesImpact of AgeOther FactorsWays to Shorten It
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Means
In Males
In Females
Impact of Age
Other Factors
Ways to Shorten It
The refractory period is more often used to describe the phase following an orgasm in which a male is physiologically unable to achieve anerection(“get hard”) and have another orgasm orejaculation. Depending on the individual, the refractory period can last for minutes to days.
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Because females can often have multiple orgasms, it is generally thought that they either do not have a refractory period or that the refractory period lasts for only a brief moment.
This is not to suggest that a person’s physiological makeup is the sole determining factor for how long or short the refractory period is. A person’s psychological makeup also contributes to whether they desire sex or feel sexually satiated after orgasm.
This article takes a closer look at the refractory period in males and females and how physiology and psychology factor in. It also explores if there are ways to shorten the refractory period and achieve multiple orgasms.
Gender DefinitionsIn this article, “male” is used to describe people with penises while “female” is used to describe people with vaginas despite thegender or gendersthey identify with. The sex and gender terms used in cited material will be retained.
Gender Definitions
In this article, “male” is used to describe people with penises while “female” is used to describe people with vaginas despite thegender or gendersthey identify with. The sex and gender terms used in cited material will be retained.
Refractory Period and the Sexual Response
The refractory period is one component of the four phases of thesexual response, classically described as:
Part of Resolution PhaseThe refractory period is part of the resolution phase during which a person needs to recover before they can have another orgasm.
Part of Resolution Phase
The refractory period is part of the resolution phase during which a person needs to recover before they can have another orgasm.
The term “refractory period” does not apply to just sex. The term is used in neuroscience to describe the span of time following the response of a nerve or muscle before it can respond again.
In this respect, the nonresponsive time following orgasm can be described as thephysiological refractory period.
While this may suggest that the refractory period is mainly physiological, it is important to remember thathormonesinfluence your emotions during the sexual response. Even beyond hormones, how you feel and behave can dictate whether arousal and orgasms are possible.
Refractory Period in Males
Oxytocin
Oxytocinis a hormone that has many functions in the human body, including the stimulation of breast milk and the contraction of uterine muscles during labor. In males, oxytocin helps induce erections and ejaculation.
With ejaculation, the sudden surge of oxytocin stimulates the release of the “feel-good” hormoneserotonin. This is the hormone that promotes feelings of sexual satisfaction, relaxation, and even drowsiness after sex.Serotonin in the brain can inhibit erections following ejaculation, but its influence on the refractory period is still under debate.
Prolactin
Prolactin, a hormone responsible forlactation(breast milk production), may also influence the male refractory period. During an orgasm, prolactin levels can surge in people of any sex. But in males, high prolactin levels can interfere with the ability to achieve an erection until the levels eventually subside.
Studies vary, with some suggesting that prolactin plays a central role in the refractory period and others concluding that it has no effect.
Dopamine
Dopamineis another feel-good hormone that helps facilitate ejaculation. But, after ejaculation, the hormone can also temporarily block sensory nerves of the penis, making it less responsive to stimulation. This is especially true after an intense orgasm.
The duration of this effect can vary from one person to the next and often for no apparent reason. This may account for why some males recover faster following orgasm while others take longer.
Average Refractory Period in MalesA small study published in theJournal of Sexual Medicinein 2019 suggests that the average refractory rate in males without sexual dysfunction is around 106 minutes.The period may be short in young males but gradually increases with age.
Average Refractory Period in Males
A small study published in theJournal of Sexual Medicinein 2019 suggests that the average refractory rate in males without sexual dysfunction is around 106 minutes.The period may be short in young males but gradually increases with age.
Anorgasmia Causes and Treatments
Refractory Period in Females
Oxytocin and prolactin are commonly more elevated in females than in males, and their impact on the refractory period is different than what occurs in males.These hormones do not interfere with the sensitivity or function of the vagina and clitoris following an orgasm.
Females are more likely to experience multiple orgasms than males.This doesn’t necessarily mean that females have no refractory period.
In some females, orgasms can lead to hypersensitivity of the clitoris andvulva, making it painful to have sex even if sexual desire remains.This response may be regarded as a refractory period during which arousal and orgasms are difficult until the hypertensive sensation subsides.
Are Vaginal Orgasms Real?
Multiple Orgasms in Males
A 2020 study inSexual Medicine Reviewsuggested that certain factors appear to increase a male’s ability to have multiple orgasms, including:
Doing so may improve the odds of sporadic multiple orgasms (in which orgasms occur over a period of time) or condensed multiple orgasms (in which you have two to four orgasms, one after the next).
How Age Affects the Refractory Period
Younger males tend to recover and reengage in sex sooner following ejaculation than older males. While younger males may need only a few minutes of recovery time, older males may have a refractory period of between 12 to 24 hours. For some, the refractory period can last for days.
One explanation for this involves theseminal vesiclesthat produce and store semen. After ejaculation, the pressure within the seminal vesicles quickly dissipates. When this happens, nerve signals are sent to the brain to produce hormones likefollicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)that stimulate semen production.
Until ample hormones are produced and the tension in the seminal vesicles is restored, the refractory period in males can continue. The problem is that, as males age, the time it takes to restore tension in the seminal vesicles gets longer and longer.
What Is Male Dysorgasmia?
Other Factors That Influence the Refractory Period
It can be presumed that the quality of your relationship—how you feel about and respond to your partner—may also have a psychological and physiological impact on your refractory rate. Further research is needed.
Everything You Need to Know About Female Orgasms
Can You Shorten the Refractory Period?
The refractory period is not a sexual dysfunction likeerectile dysfunctionorfemale hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). It is simply the period of time when your desire and ability to have sex temporarily stop after an orgasm.
Even so, people often attribute sexual satisfaction to the intensity of their orgasms, the duration of sex, and, the frequency of orgasm and ejaculation.
While there are no surefire ways to reduce the refractory time, particularly in males, certain lifestyle changes may increase your sexual fitness and remove the barriers that stand in the way of a “second round” of sex.
According to a 2018 study published in theJournal of Education and Health Promotion,this should include:
It is also important to manage chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, that can affect sexual function and performance directly and indirectly.
How Diabetes Affects Sexual Function
Summary
The refractory period is the length of time after an orgasm when sexual desire and the ability to have sex temporarily cease. In males, the refractory period can last from minutes to days. In females, the refractory period may be brief or not occur at all.
20 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Seizert CA.The neurobiology of the male sexual refractory period.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018;92:350-377. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.011Alwaal A, Brever BN. Lue TF.Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation.Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1051–1060. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033Calabro RS, Cacciola A, Bruschetta D, et al.Neuroanatomy and function of human sexual behavior: a neglected or unknown issue?Brain Behav.2019;9(12):e01389. doi:10.1002/brb3.1389Song Z, Zhou Y, Juusol M.Modeling elucidates how refractory period can provide profound nonlinear gain control to graded potential neurons.Physiol Rep.2017;5(11):e13306. doi:10.14814/phy2.13306Veening JG, de Jong TR, Waldinger MD, Korte SM, Olivier B.The role of oxytocin in male and female reproductive behavior.Eur J Pharmacol. 2015;753:209-228. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.07.045Mainwaring JM, Garcia ACB, Hull EM, Wibowo E.The rare phenomenon of consecutive ejaculations in male rats.Sexes2021:2(2):183-188; doi:10.3390/sexes2020016Valente S, Marques T, Lima SQ.No evidence for prolactin’s involvement in the post-ejaculatory refractory period.Commun Biol.2021;4(1):10. doi:10.1038/s42003-020-01570-4Sanders J, Biron D.The importance of waiting.eLife.2014;3:e03754. doi:10.7554/eLife.03754Bhat GS, Shastry A.Association between post-ejaculatory refractory time (PERT) and premature ejaculation (PE).J Sex Med.2019;16(9):1364-1370. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.06.01International Society of Sexual Medicine.What is the refractory period?Kontula O, Miettinen A.Determinants of female sexual orgasms.Socioaffect Neurosci Psychol.2016;6:10.3402/snp.v6.31624. doi:10.3402/snp.v6.31624Paterson LQP, Amsel R, Binik YM.Pleasure and pain: the effect of (almost) having an orgasm on genital and nongenital sensitivity.J Sex Med. 2013;10(6):1531-1544. doi:10.1111/jsm.12144Wibowo E, Wassersug RJ.Multiple orgasms in men-what we know so far.Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(2):136-148. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.12.004Turley KR, Rowland DL.Evolving ideas about the male refractory period.Brit J Urol Int.2013;112:442-452. doi:10.1111/bju.12011Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.J Educ Health Promot.2018;7:57. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17Perelman MA.Psychosexual therapy for delayed ejaculation based on the Sexual Tipping Point model.Transl Androl Urol.2016;5(4):563–575. doi:10.21037/tau.2016.07.05Cerwenka S, Dekker A, Pietras L, Briken P.Single and multiple orgasm experience among women in heterosexual partnerships. Results of the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD).J Sex Med. 2021;18(12):2028-2038. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.09.010Reinert AE, Simon JA.“Did you climax or are you just laughing at me?” Rare phenomena associated with orgasm.Sex Med Rev.2017;5(3):275-281. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.03.004Pyke RE.Sexual performance anxiety.Sex Med Rev.2020;8(2):183-190. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.07.001Mascherek A, Reidick MC, Galinet J, Kuhn S.Is ejaculation frequency in men related to general and mental health? Looking back and looking forward.Front Psychol.2021;12:693121. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121
20 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Seizert CA.The neurobiology of the male sexual refractory period.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018;92:350-377. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.011Alwaal A, Brever BN. Lue TF.Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation.Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1051–1060. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033Calabro RS, Cacciola A, Bruschetta D, et al.Neuroanatomy and function of human sexual behavior: a neglected or unknown issue?Brain Behav.2019;9(12):e01389. doi:10.1002/brb3.1389Song Z, Zhou Y, Juusol M.Modeling elucidates how refractory period can provide profound nonlinear gain control to graded potential neurons.Physiol Rep.2017;5(11):e13306. doi:10.14814/phy2.13306Veening JG, de Jong TR, Waldinger MD, Korte SM, Olivier B.The role of oxytocin in male and female reproductive behavior.Eur J Pharmacol. 2015;753:209-228. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.07.045Mainwaring JM, Garcia ACB, Hull EM, Wibowo E.The rare phenomenon of consecutive ejaculations in male rats.Sexes2021:2(2):183-188; doi:10.3390/sexes2020016Valente S, Marques T, Lima SQ.No evidence for prolactin’s involvement in the post-ejaculatory refractory period.Commun Biol.2021;4(1):10. doi:10.1038/s42003-020-01570-4Sanders J, Biron D.The importance of waiting.eLife.2014;3:e03754. doi:10.7554/eLife.03754Bhat GS, Shastry A.Association between post-ejaculatory refractory time (PERT) and premature ejaculation (PE).J Sex Med.2019;16(9):1364-1370. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.06.01International Society of Sexual Medicine.What is the refractory period?Kontula O, Miettinen A.Determinants of female sexual orgasms.Socioaffect Neurosci Psychol.2016;6:10.3402/snp.v6.31624. doi:10.3402/snp.v6.31624Paterson LQP, Amsel R, Binik YM.Pleasure and pain: the effect of (almost) having an orgasm on genital and nongenital sensitivity.J Sex Med. 2013;10(6):1531-1544. doi:10.1111/jsm.12144Wibowo E, Wassersug RJ.Multiple orgasms in men-what we know so far.Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(2):136-148. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.12.004Turley KR, Rowland DL.Evolving ideas about the male refractory period.Brit J Urol Int.2013;112:442-452. doi:10.1111/bju.12011Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.J Educ Health Promot.2018;7:57. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17Perelman MA.Psychosexual therapy for delayed ejaculation based on the Sexual Tipping Point model.Transl Androl Urol.2016;5(4):563–575. doi:10.21037/tau.2016.07.05Cerwenka S, Dekker A, Pietras L, Briken P.Single and multiple orgasm experience among women in heterosexual partnerships. Results of the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD).J Sex Med. 2021;18(12):2028-2038. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.09.010Reinert AE, Simon JA.“Did you climax or are you just laughing at me?” Rare phenomena associated with orgasm.Sex Med Rev.2017;5(3):275-281. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.03.004Pyke RE.Sexual performance anxiety.Sex Med Rev.2020;8(2):183-190. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.07.001Mascherek A, Reidick MC, Galinet J, Kuhn S.Is ejaculation frequency in men related to general and mental health? Looking back and looking forward.Front Psychol.2021;12:693121. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Seizert CA.The neurobiology of the male sexual refractory period.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018;92:350-377. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.011Alwaal A, Brever BN. Lue TF.Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation.Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1051–1060. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033Calabro RS, Cacciola A, Bruschetta D, et al.Neuroanatomy and function of human sexual behavior: a neglected or unknown issue?Brain Behav.2019;9(12):e01389. doi:10.1002/brb3.1389Song Z, Zhou Y, Juusol M.Modeling elucidates how refractory period can provide profound nonlinear gain control to graded potential neurons.Physiol Rep.2017;5(11):e13306. doi:10.14814/phy2.13306Veening JG, de Jong TR, Waldinger MD, Korte SM, Olivier B.The role of oxytocin in male and female reproductive behavior.Eur J Pharmacol. 2015;753:209-228. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.07.045Mainwaring JM, Garcia ACB, Hull EM, Wibowo E.The rare phenomenon of consecutive ejaculations in male rats.Sexes2021:2(2):183-188; doi:10.3390/sexes2020016Valente S, Marques T, Lima SQ.No evidence for prolactin’s involvement in the post-ejaculatory refractory period.Commun Biol.2021;4(1):10. doi:10.1038/s42003-020-01570-4Sanders J, Biron D.The importance of waiting.eLife.2014;3:e03754. doi:10.7554/eLife.03754Bhat GS, Shastry A.Association between post-ejaculatory refractory time (PERT) and premature ejaculation (PE).J Sex Med.2019;16(9):1364-1370. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.06.01International Society of Sexual Medicine.What is the refractory period?Kontula O, Miettinen A.Determinants of female sexual orgasms.Socioaffect Neurosci Psychol.2016;6:10.3402/snp.v6.31624. doi:10.3402/snp.v6.31624Paterson LQP, Amsel R, Binik YM.Pleasure and pain: the effect of (almost) having an orgasm on genital and nongenital sensitivity.J Sex Med. 2013;10(6):1531-1544. doi:10.1111/jsm.12144Wibowo E, Wassersug RJ.Multiple orgasms in men-what we know so far.Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(2):136-148. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.12.004Turley KR, Rowland DL.Evolving ideas about the male refractory period.Brit J Urol Int.2013;112:442-452. doi:10.1111/bju.12011Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.J Educ Health Promot.2018;7:57. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17Perelman MA.Psychosexual therapy for delayed ejaculation based on the Sexual Tipping Point model.Transl Androl Urol.2016;5(4):563–575. doi:10.21037/tau.2016.07.05Cerwenka S, Dekker A, Pietras L, Briken P.Single and multiple orgasm experience among women in heterosexual partnerships. Results of the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD).J Sex Med. 2021;18(12):2028-2038. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.09.010Reinert AE, Simon JA.“Did you climax or are you just laughing at me?” Rare phenomena associated with orgasm.Sex Med Rev.2017;5(3):275-281. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.03.004Pyke RE.Sexual performance anxiety.Sex Med Rev.2020;8(2):183-190. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.07.001Mascherek A, Reidick MC, Galinet J, Kuhn S.Is ejaculation frequency in men related to general and mental health? Looking back and looking forward.Front Psychol.2021;12:693121. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121
Seizert CA.The neurobiology of the male sexual refractory period.Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2018;92:350-377. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.06.011
Alwaal A, Brever BN. Lue TF.Normal male sexual function: emphasis on orgasm and ejaculation.Fertil Steril. 2015;104(5):1051–1060. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.08.033
Calabro RS, Cacciola A, Bruschetta D, et al.Neuroanatomy and function of human sexual behavior: a neglected or unknown issue?Brain Behav.2019;9(12):e01389. doi:10.1002/brb3.1389
Song Z, Zhou Y, Juusol M.Modeling elucidates how refractory period can provide profound nonlinear gain control to graded potential neurons.Physiol Rep.2017;5(11):e13306. doi:10.14814/phy2.13306
Veening JG, de Jong TR, Waldinger MD, Korte SM, Olivier B.The role of oxytocin in male and female reproductive behavior.Eur J Pharmacol. 2015;753:209-228. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2014.07.045
Mainwaring JM, Garcia ACB, Hull EM, Wibowo E.The rare phenomenon of consecutive ejaculations in male rats.Sexes2021:2(2):183-188; doi:10.3390/sexes2020016
Valente S, Marques T, Lima SQ.No evidence for prolactin’s involvement in the post-ejaculatory refractory period.Commun Biol.2021;4(1):10. doi:10.1038/s42003-020-01570-4
Sanders J, Biron D.The importance of waiting.eLife.2014;3:e03754. doi:10.7554/eLife.03754
Bhat GS, Shastry A.Association between post-ejaculatory refractory time (PERT) and premature ejaculation (PE).J Sex Med.2019;16(9):1364-1370. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2019.06.01
International Society of Sexual Medicine.What is the refractory period?
Kontula O, Miettinen A.Determinants of female sexual orgasms.Socioaffect Neurosci Psychol.2016;6:10.3402/snp.v6.31624. doi:10.3402/snp.v6.31624
Paterson LQP, Amsel R, Binik YM.Pleasure and pain: the effect of (almost) having an orgasm on genital and nongenital sensitivity.J Sex Med. 2013;10(6):1531-1544. doi:10.1111/jsm.12144
Wibowo E, Wassersug RJ.Multiple orgasms in men-what we know so far.Sex Med Rev. 2016;4(2):136-148. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2015.12.004
Turley KR, Rowland DL.Evolving ideas about the male refractory period.Brit J Urol Int.2013;112:442-452. doi:10.1111/bju.12011
Jiannine LM.An investigation of the relationship between physical fitness, self-concept, and sexual functioning.J Educ Health Promot.2018;7:57. doi:10.4103/jehp.jehp_157_17
Perelman MA.Psychosexual therapy for delayed ejaculation based on the Sexual Tipping Point model.Transl Androl Urol.2016;5(4):563–575. doi:10.21037/tau.2016.07.05
Cerwenka S, Dekker A, Pietras L, Briken P.Single and multiple orgasm experience among women in heterosexual partnerships. Results of the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD).J Sex Med. 2021;18(12):2028-2038. doi:10.1016/j.jsxm.2021.09.010
Reinert AE, Simon JA.“Did you climax or are you just laughing at me?” Rare phenomena associated with orgasm.Sex Med Rev.2017;5(3):275-281. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.03.004
Pyke RE.Sexual performance anxiety.Sex Med Rev.2020;8(2):183-190. doi:10.1016/j.sxmr.2019.07.001
Mascherek A, Reidick MC, Galinet J, Kuhn S.Is ejaculation frequency in men related to general and mental health? Looking back and looking forward.Front Psychol.2021;12:693121. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.693121
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