Every man has been there once or a billion times before. He has played one round of ball and is ready for the next. Well, at least mentally it is; his penis has other ideas. Why does a man’s penis bench him for a few innings before he gets his next at-bat? Simple, it is the refractory period, or what is known as that magical time between erections when the little head stops thinking about the big one (at least for a little while). Every man (and woman) has this built-in wait time, but they vary widely, depending on a number of things. Let’s break down the mystery of the refractory period and how to exert a little influence on his penis’s natural reset button.
Erection physiology: after the big O
Okay, let’s look at the physiology of the penis immediately after the orgasmic glow. Once the penis ejaculates, the whole body descends from its great internal explosion. The sympathetic nervous system, the one that controls the fight or flight response, tells the body to calm down. Messengers from the body, neurotransmitters, tell the smooth muscle in the penis to contract, relaxing it to a flaccid state. This then reduces levels of testosterone, which controls libido, and dopamine, which excites arousal. In concert, the body increases prolactin, which also counteracts arousal. Prolactin is the start of the refractory period show – it’s the main component that drives the wait time. The body also releases oxytocin, which relaxes the body, and serotonin, which tells the body it’s time for a nap, and therefore you have your refractory period.
Going Deeper: The Prolactin Response
Have you ever wondered why you could be ready to go in minutes after a solo session, but have to wait a full 12 hours after being intimate with your partner? Blame it on the prolactin. Research shows that prolactin release is 400% greater after intercourse than when ejaculation is self-induced. Because the difference? Researchers think it could be that intimacy with a partner is more physiologically satisfying than masturbation (think of it like eating really good pizza and microwaved pizza: amazing pizza satisfies the craving while crap pizza leaves the craving unsatisfied for complete).
How long are penis waiting times?
The male refractory period depends on a handful of factors. The most important factor is probably not a surprise: age. Teens are usually ready in minutes. Studies show that most men over the age of 30 will need to wait 30 minutes or more. Men over the age of 50 can only get 1 chance to orgasm each day.
Aside from age, there are other factors, some of which a man can control, that affect refractory periods, including:
– Arousal level
– Sensitivity level of the penis
– Circumcision
– Intake of drugs or alcohol.
– Prescription drugs
– Quality and emotional state of your relationship
– Comfort in the environment
– Stress levels
Another important factor is the individual. All men are wired differently, so some may naturally get 3 at-bats in their 70s, while others will only get a shot or two in their 20s. Blame your parents.
How to shorten the break
There is wisdom in letting the body do its thing (or not do it, as the case may be); However, sometimes a man can find an occasion to want to speed up the delay of the rain, right? The number one way to do that between innings is to increase the arousal. Here are some ideas to increase momentum:
– Change location – You don’t have to leave town to rent a hotel room or (safely) have a mid-teens romp in the car.
– Change the time – While sex right before bed is great, sometimes a little quickie at 3 am.
– Add a toy (or two)
– Change the scenery – It’s time to break out that firefighter costume from last Halloween!
– Talk about what to talk about – Whether it’s talking dirty, telling stories, or sexting, a little intellectual stimulation (okay, maybe not totally intellectual) can be a powerful thing.
Penile health is also a major contributor to refractory periods. Keep your penis healthy with a nutritious diet, regular exercise, 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and a great stress management routine. Add a little more to the mix with a specially formulated penis health oil. (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil which has been clinically proven to be safe and gentle on the skin) to give your penis a boost! These oils include many healthy vitamins for strength and stamina, as well as keeping the delicate skin of the penis soft and supple.
