Every man has been there one 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 leave him benched 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 timeout, but it varies widely, depending on a number of things. Let’s break down the mystery of the refractory period and how to exert a little influence over 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 entire 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. The body’s messengers, neurotransmitters, tell the smooth muscle of the penis to contract, relaxing it to a flaccid state. This then lowers levels of testosterone, which controls libido, and dopamine, which drives arousal. In concert, the body increases prolactin, which also counteracts arousal. Prolactin is the start of the refractory period show: it is the main component that drives the waiting time. The body also expels oxytocin, which relaxes the body, and serotonin, which tells the body that it’s time for a nap, and therefore you have your refractory period.
Digging deeper: the prolactin response
Have you ever wondered why you could be ready to come back in minutes after a solo session, but have to wait a full 12 hours after intimacy with your partner? Blame it on prolactin. Research shows that prolactin release is 400% higher after intercourse than when ejaculation is self-induced. Because the difference? Researchers think it could be that partner intimacy is more physiologically satisfying than masturbation (think of it like eating really good pizza and microwaved pizza: amazing pizza satisfies the craving while junk pizza leaves the craving unsatisfied for full).
How long are penis waiting times?
The male refractory period depends on a handful of factors. The biggest factor probably comes as no 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 have an orgasm each day.
Aside from age, there are other factors, some of which a man can control, that affect refractory periods, including:
– level of arousal
– 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 have 3 at-bats in their 70s, while others will only have 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 3am.
– Add a toy (or two)
– Change the scenery – Time to break out that last Halloween firefighter costume!
– Talk about what to talk about – Whether it’s talking dirty, telling stories, or sexting, a little intellectual (well, maybe not totally intellectual) stimulation can be a powerful thing.
Penis 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 that 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 vigor as well as keeping the delicate skin of the penis soft and supple.