Orgasm is a pleasurable and complete experience that brings joy, serenity, and sleepiness. Additionally, some people might experience unusual effects such as tears, tremors, or sneezing. These are unpredictable body reactions after sexual intercourse.
Laugh or Cry, Maybe Both
At certain times, some people may lose control of their reactions after reaching orgasm. This could manifest as uncontrollable laughter or an outpouring of tears. According to Alain Héril, a sex therapist and author of the book “Therapeutic Orgasm: When Pleasure Drives Away Pain,” the orgasmic experience is fundamentally emotional and usually follows tension. During sexual intercourse, there can be a form of physical and emotional tension. When this tension is released at the time of orgasm, repressed emotions can be set free, which might result in laughter or tears.
Laughter might indicate a sense of joy, while tears aren’t necessarily a sign of sadness. It might simply mean that someone is relaxed enough to allow for a state of absolute relaxation, to the point of being overwhelmed by a range of emotions. From a neurophysiological standpoint, orgasm releases hormones such as serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine in the brain, creating a significant “hormonal high.” There’s no specific reason explaining why tears or laughter occur, and both might even occur simultaneously or one after the other. The entire emotional range is engaged during orgasm, which is beneficial for brain activity.
Relieve Migraine or, Conversely, Cause a Headache
Orgasm can have different effects on migraines, depending on the individual. For some migraine sufferers, orgasm can alleviate the headache as it helps regulate blood flow. On the other hand, for others, orgasm can trigger intense headaches, known as orgasmic headaches. There are various types of orgasmic headaches, some related to muscle contractions, and others to vascular changes. It’s important to note that these specific headaches seem to affect men more than women, and there are drug treatments available to relieve them.
Sneezing After Sexual Intercourse
Some individuals might feel the need to sneeze after an orgasm, a curious and underestimated reaction. A study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine suggests that this might be more common than expected. Researchers theorize that this reaction could be due to stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system. They refer to a 69-year-old man who reported severe sneezing immediately after orgasm and suggest it could be due to similarities between the erectile tissue of the nose and that of the penis.
Trembling Legs
After sexual intercourse, it’s common for legs to tremble. This is due to the physical effort provided during sexual activity and reaching orgasm. Muscles completely relax after an orgasm, which also releases the static electricity accumulated in the body. This can sometimes lead to cramps in certain individuals.
Experiencing Spasms Similar to an Epileptic Seizure
Some individuals might suffer from a condition called orgasmolepsy, which causes seizures similar to epilepsy. Recent research has shown that neural electrical activity in the brain can be similarly altered during orgasm and during an epileptic seizure. However, it’s not accurate to say that orgasms can cause epilepsy itself. People with a predisposition to epilepsy might experience a brain reaction similar to an epileptic seizure during orgasm.