During sexual intercourse, both men and women burn calories which makes the body feel hungry. However, that is not the only reason you may feel hunger after sex.
The other reason is due to hormonal changes that happen during sex. So, let’s take a closer look at why you feel hungry after sex.
Hormonal Changes
As we all know, sex triggers drastic hormonal changes in both men and women. These changes directly influence your appetite. During sexual intercourse, testosterone and estrogen are the main hormones that rise. These hormones play a critical role in sexual drive and fertility. When there are sharp dips or spikes in these hormones, it can cause many problems such as loss of appetite.
For example, when you have a dip in progesterone during your menstrual period, it can contribute to cravings. A loss of estrogen can also affect your metabolism and weight. Additionally, if you suffer from hormone-related disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormone imbalance can lead to feelings of hunger.
Another reason why you may feel hungry after sex is because of the calories that are burned. Even if you aren’t engaging in vigorous sexual intercourse, you still burn a significant amount of calories. According to studies, sex for about 30 minutes can burn up to 100 kilocalories for men and 70 kilocalories for women. This is equivalent to a 30-minute jog.
Eating a healthy snack such as a tuna sandwich on wheat bread or fruits can help keep your appetite in check after sex. In addition, drinking a glass of warm milk can help lower the hormone ghrelin which can trigger hunger.
Excessive Calories Burned
Sex is a physical activity and uses almost all the muscles of the body over an extended period of time. As such, it burns calories and signals the brain that you need food.
The amount of calories burned depends on a number of factors, including body size and sex type. In general, men burn more calories than women because they have more muscle. However, other factors can also affect the number of calories burned, such as age and level of fitness.
In addition, some women may feel hungry after sex because of the effects of certain hormones on hunger. For example, progestogens stimulate appetite and can lead to pre-period hunger. Progestogen levels peak in the week before menstruation, and the body’s resting metabolic rate (BMR) decreases at this time.
While sex can make you hungry, it should never be done on a full stomach. A light snack or a cup of low-fat milk can be a good way to satisfy the feeling of hunger after sex. If you experience frequent hunger and dizziness, consult your doctor to check for a possible medical condition such as diabetes. A diagnosis and treatment plan can help you control your symptoms. A healthy diet is important for good health and can help prevent or manage diseases such as diabetes. Visit a dietitian for personalized advice.
The Nervous System
Sex is a physical activity, and like any other exercise, it burns energy. As a result, you may feel hungry afterwards. However, it is important to note that sex should not be done on an empty stomach. In fact, it is best to avoid sex before meals and after heavy meals as both of these actions can impact your digestive system negatively.
When you are hungry, your body releases ghrelin into the bloodstream. This is a hormone that signals the brain to eat. Once you eat food, the brain will signal the release of leptin which will decrease hunger and satiety.
Despite these hormonal changes, you should not ignore the feeling of hunger. Try to eat some protein rich foods such as eggs, chicken, fish and legumes. These foods will help you to regain the lost energy and suppress ghrelin levels.
While the hormonal changes during sexual intercourse make you hungry, it is not the only reason why people feel this way. The high intensity of the activity can also increase your appetite. This is because during an orgasm, the heart rate increases which causes the body to burn more calories. Moreover, this intense activity can even cause the body to feel dehydrated. So, it is a good idea to consume water and other fluids after an orgasm.
Lack of Sleep
It’s not uncommon for people to feel a little hungry after a long night of skin-to-skin passion. This feeling is due to a variety of factors, including physical exertion, hormone changes, and the release of endorphins. It is also often caused by the balancing of hormones such as leptin and ghrelin, which control hunger levels and fat production. A good night’s sleep is necessary to ensure that these hormones remain well-balanced.
It is also important to keep in mind that sex burns a lot of calories. A typical foreplay session can burn up to 85 calories, and a full sexual act can burn even more. In addition, sexual activity can stimulate the secretion of the hunger-control hormone ghrelin, which triggers the urge to eat.
Lastly, it is important to remember that many people are simply hungry after sex because they have not had enough food throughout the day. This is especially true for women, as a lack of food may disrupt the balance of hormones responsible for feelings of hunger.
If you are experiencing this issue, try to drink a glass of water after sex to help rehydrate your body and satisfy your appetite. You can also eat a small snack such as yogurt, which is a great source of probiotics and other nutrients that will help to boost your immune system.
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