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Over on Quora, someone asked:

Do men truly have a physiological need for sexual release (sex or masturbation) every 24 to 72 hours or the time it takes for the seminal vesicles to fill up?

It’s a very difficult question to answer. The short version is yes.

The long version is we don’t know what the pressure to climax is. Is it physical? Is it mental? It is hormonal? It’s probably a combination of all three. Yes, filling of the seminal vesicles is probably at play. Then there’s the fact that orgasm releases prolactin, which gives a feeling of being sexually satisfied and causes the refractory period. Studies have found a higher normal prolactin level means a man has sex less often. Other studies have shown that lowering prolactin level increase a man’s sex drive. So based on all this, prolactin is likely a factor.

All the science aside, here’s what it feels like from the inside. You have sex, and your desire for sex drops. You may still be willing and able, but you don’t “need” it. As time goes on, your sex drive comes back. When I was young I was more than ready at 12 hours, and at 24 I felt a very real need. At 60 the real need is closer to 48 hours, although I can have sex much sooner.

I learned a bit more about this after my hernia repair. The doctor warned me I might have discomfort the rest of my life. At first this was the case, but over time it changed to only being an issue when I had done things that worked the muscles near the repair. Or when I needed sexual release. The side where the repair is registers that pressure/discomfort half a day sooner than the other side. I don’t know exactly what causes it, but I know I feel it sooner where I am tender, which tells me there is something inside that is causing pressure.

For most men, having an orgasm starts a clock. A certain number of hours later, he really wants to orgasm again. How long that takes depends on both the man and his age, with age not being as big a factor as you would expect.

I’m not suggesting this excuses any bad behaviour on the part of a man. But if understanding this changes your behaviour, that is probably a good thing.

~ Paul – I’m XY, this is my experience.

A post worth reading:

PsyPost | Huge study finds men have a stronger sex drive than women ◄ Hardy new, but a good fit for this post

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