What are the common reasons for nausea after sex? They can be categorised into four different sections. Physical causes, reproductive and gynecological factors, emotional or psychological causes, or medical issues.
After discussing some possible reasons for nausea after sex, we’ll provide you with some tips on how you could perhaps relieve nausea symptoms.
But please note: we’re not healthcare professionals, so we do recommend you seek professional help if this is a serious issue for you.
1. Physical Causes of Feeling Nauseous After Sex
Hormonal and nervous system response: during sexual arousal and orgasm, a slew of hormones are released, each affecting your body in different ways. During the release of all of these hormones, it’s possible that there may be a change in blood pressure, digestion, and even body temperature, which is why some may feel light headed, flushed, or nauseous after sex. For reference:
- Oxytocin: promotes bonding, relaxation, feelings of closeness
- Dopamine: induces pleasure and reward
- Endorphins: boosts mood and is a natural pain killer
- Adrenaline and norepinephrine: increases alertness during arousal
- Prolactin: after orgasm, increases relaxation and fatigue
Orgasm-related changes: when your muscles contract during orgasm, blood flow shifts, which could upset your stomach briefly.
Dehydration or low blood sugar: you may feel sick after physical activity if you’re dehydrated or haven’t eaten.
Position-related: some sex positions can put pressure on your stomach or diaphragm, which could lead to nausea.
Tips To Reduce Nausea After Sex Due to Physical Causes
- Manage blood sugar and hydration before sex by eating a light snack such as fruit, yogurt, or nuts to avoid low blood sugar, and drinking water before and after to prevent dehydration
- Support your nervous system by slowing down, giving your body time to transition between arousal and relaxation
- Cool down gradually after sex by avoiding jumping up too fast afterwards
- Breathe slow, and take deep breaths after orgasm to stabilise your heart rate and blood pressure
- Avoid deep penetration
- Use pillows or props to reduce abdominal pressure
- Use a heating pad on your lower belly after sex
- Empty your bladder before and after sex
2. Reproductive and Gynecological Factors that May Induce Nausea After Sex
- Uterine contractions: during orgasm, for vulva owners, the uterus contracts rhythmically, which is similar to the contractions experienced during menstrual cramps (which are also caused by uterine contractions). For some people, these contractions are mild or even pleasurable, but for others, they can be painful and extend into the lower back or abdomen, causing a feeling of nausea.
- Pelvic congestion: pelvic congestion is when there is a pooling of blood in the pelvic area during arousal. (FYI: during arousal, blood flows to the genitals to prepare the body for sex.) After orgasm however, if the blood doesn’t drain, it can build up and cause pressure, resulting in an aching pelvis, cramps, or bloating, all of which can lead to nausea.
- Endometriosis: this is when tissue, similar to that which forms the lining of your uterus, grows outside of your uterine cavity. The results can be cramping, bleeding, and pain during sex, all of which can result in feeling ill and nauseous.
- Ovarian cysts: If you have an ovarian cyst (which is a fluid-filled sac that develops on or inside an ovary), you may feel direct pressure on the cyst during sex, especially during deep penetration, causing pain. Pain in this region often triggers a vagal response (via the vagus nerve) which can make you feel faint or nauseous.
- Cervical contact: during deep penetration, the cervix can sometimes become irritated, leading to discomfort and nausea. This is known as “vasovagal syncope”. The cervix has a lot of nerve endings which can trigger a vasovagal response. When this happens, it could result in lower heart rate and blood pressure, which can cause you to feel faint and nauseated.
Tips To Reduce Nausea After Sex Due To Reproductive and Gynecological Factors
- Empty your bladder by peeing before and after sex to reduce pelvic pressure
- Avoid positions that press deeply on your cervix or lower abdomen
- Use pillows to support your pelvis or abdomen
- Manage uterine contractions with a warm compress or heating pad to the lower abdomen or lower back after sex
- Try gentle stretching or yoga poses to relieve pelvic tension
- Drink water to help your body recover from pelvic blood flow changes
- Eat something small before sex to prevent low blood sugar
- Lie on your side with knees slightly bent to reduce abdominal pressure
- Address underlying issues
- Track your symptoms in a journal with what positions or activities caused you nausea
3. Emotional or Psychological Causes of Feeling Nauseous After Sex
- Anxiety or nerves: if you feel anxiety or guilt around sex, your body may interpret the act as a stressor. This then may activate the sympathetic nervous system which increases adrenaline, heart rate, and tightens the muscles. Your digestive system may also be disrupted leading to queasiness. Or you may feel an emotional conflict about sex that could manifest physically. Additionally, when you’re “on edge” with anxiety, it can be more difficult to relax and enjoy the experience or to climax. This could make the body more sensitive to sensations such as cramping and pressure, creating discomfort.
- Past trauma: for survivors of sexual trauma, anything could unconsciously remind the body of the traumatic event. Sometimes the body may “freeze” which could bring on feelings of numbness, dizziness, and nausea, and bring on strong negative emotions which can overwhelm the body, causing a strong physical reaction.
- Sexual aversion: this mental health condition is when a person has severe feelings of anxiety and fear related to sex. They might react physically when faced with sexual contact, such as sweating, panic attacks, nausea, and dizziness.
Tips To Reduce Nausea After Sex Due To Emotional or Psychological Causes
- Create a safe, comfortable environment where you feel secure, use pillows, blankets, or props to support your body and feel grounded
- Communicate with your partner and set clear boundaries and expectations before sex
- Take a break if needed to reduce anxiety
- Focus on touch, sound, or smell to anchor yourself in the present
- Start slowly with intimacy to prevent feeling overwhelmed
- Begin with non-sexual touch, gentle caressing, or cuddling before sexual activity
- Build trust and comfort with your partner at your own pace
- Use calming rituals after sex, such as soft music or breathing exercises
- Address trauma with therapy, education, and support networks
- Think of lifestyle changes such as yoga, meditation, addressing sleep and nutrition, and/or avoiding alcohol or heavy meals before sex
4. Medical Issues Associated with Nausea After Sex
- Post orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS): this is a medical condition that mostly affects penis owners, and causes them to experience symptoms immediately after ejaculation. These symptoms include blurred vision, extreme fatigue, fever, muscle pain, and mood changes. Some report that it feels similar to having the flu straight after having an orgasm, coupled with nausea.
- Gastrointestinal-related conditions: some people may experience nausea after anal sex if they have a history of gastrointestinal-related conditions, such as anal fissures, Crohn’s disease, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, or ulcerative colitis. These conditions make your bowels more prone to irritation and stomach upset, thus leading to nausea.
- Allergic reactions: albeit rare, it’s possible to have an allergic reaction to semen. If ingested, you could feel fatigue, shortness of breath, genital swelling, skin itching, and nausea.
- Infections, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): During sex, bacteria can be introduced into the urethra, which can lead to a bladder infection. The symptoms include burning with urination, urgency with urination, pelvic pain, and discomfort during or after sex. In more severe cases, infection and inflammation can irritate the surrounding pelvic tissue or spread towards the kidneys, often resulting in nausea, fever, and back pain.
- Infections, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): PID is usually caused by untreated STIs or other bacteria, and can result in pain during or after sex, irregular bleeding, abnormal discharge, and pelvic and lower abdomen pain. During PID, the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries irritate pelvic nerves, creating inflammation that can result in immense fever, nausea, and/or vomiting.
- Infections, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Some STIs cause pain and vagus nerve stimulation, which lowers blood pressure to cause nausea or dizziness. When there is swelling in the pelvis, it can put pressure on surrounding organs, like the intestines and bladder, which can also lead to queasiness.
Tips To Reduce Nausea After Sex Due to Medical Reasons
- Treat underlying conditions
- Reduce pelvic pressure by using a pillow or prop
- Try shallower sex positions to minimise uterine, ovarian, or bladder pressure
- Empty your bladder before and after sex
- Use heat therapy on your lower back and abdomen after sex
- Try gentle stretching or yoga after sex to release tension in the pelvic muscles
- Drink water and eat something light before sex
- Try breathing exercises to stabilise your heart rate and relax muscles
- Monitor your symptoms; track timing and triggers which can be useful for doctors to diagnose an underlying condition
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience persistent nausea or vomiting, severe pelvic or abdominal pain, dizziness, fever, unusual discharge, or bleeding
So, as we mentioned, there really are many reasons as to why you may be feeling nauseous after sex. With our information plus tips that may help relieve your symptoms, we only wish the best of health for you. And in most cases, seeking professional help is the best answer.
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