Post-coital tristesse
Encyclopedia
Sexual intercourse
can sometimes lead to a feeling of melancholy called PCT, or post-coital tristesse (from Latin
post-coital, and French
tristesse, literally — “sadness”). This is more common in men than in women. With respect to symptoms in women, see "An epidemiological survey of post-coital psychological symptoms in a UK population sample of female twins." Many PCT sufferers may also exhibit strong feelings of anxiety
, anywhere from five minutes, to two hours after coitus. For more, see "Sex and depression: In the brain, if not the mind." Possible physiological causes of post-coital tristesse are discussed in "The Passion Cycle."
The phenomenon is referred to by the philosopher Baruch Spinoza
in his Tractatus de Intellectus Emendatione
when he said "For as far as sensual pleasure is concerned, the mind is so caught up in it, as if at peace in a [true] good, that it is quite prevented from thinking of anything else. But after the enjoyment of sensual pleasure is past, the greatest sadness follows. If this does not completely engross, still it thoroughly confuses and dulls the mind."
A better-known reference is the (grammatically incorrect) Latin
phrase Post coitum omne animal triste est —"After sexual intercourse any animal is sad". The correct phrase is " Post coitum anima tristis est" which translates to "After sex the spirit is sad."
English comedian Russell Brand
describes the phenomenon in his stand-up: "After I cum, it's like 'Oh my God, what have I done?' A sense of profound existential angst, a sense of loss, a sense that somehow I've let my mum down."
Sexual intercourse
Sexual intercourse, also known as copulation or coitus, commonly refers to the act in which a male's penis enters a female's vagina for the purposes of sexual pleasure or reproduction. The entities may be of opposite sexes, or they may be hermaphroditic, as is the case with snails...
can sometimes lead to a feeling of melancholy called PCT, or post-coital tristesse (from Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
post-coital, and French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
tristesse, literally — “sadness”). This is more common in men than in women. With respect to symptoms in women, see "An epidemiological survey of post-coital psychological symptoms in a UK population sample of female twins." Many PCT sufferers may also exhibit strong feelings of anxiety
Anxiety
Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components. The root meaning of the word anxiety is 'to vex or trouble'; in either presence or absence of psychological stress, anxiety can create feelings of fear, worry, uneasiness,...
, anywhere from five minutes, to two hours after coitus. For more, see "Sex and depression: In the brain, if not the mind." Possible physiological causes of post-coital tristesse are discussed in "The Passion Cycle."
The phenomenon is referred to by the philosopher Baruch Spinoza
Baruch Spinoza
Baruch de Spinoza and later Benedict de Spinoza was a Dutch Jewish philosopher. Revealing considerable scientific aptitude, the breadth and importance of Spinoza's work was not fully realized until years after his death...
in his Tractatus de Intellectus Emendatione
Tractatus de Intellectus Emendatione
Tractatus de Intellectus Emendatione or On The Improvement Of The Understanding, is a seventeenth century unfinished work of philosophy by the 17th century philosopher Baruch Spinoza....
when he said "For as far as sensual pleasure is concerned, the mind is so caught up in it, as if at peace in a [true] good, that it is quite prevented from thinking of anything else. But after the enjoyment of sensual pleasure is past, the greatest sadness follows. If this does not completely engross, still it thoroughly confuses and dulls the mind."
A better-known reference is the (grammatically incorrect) Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
phrase Post coitum omne animal triste est —"After sexual intercourse any animal is sad". The correct phrase is " Post coitum anima tristis est" which translates to "After sex the spirit is sad."
English comedian Russell Brand
Russell Brand
Russell Edward Brand is an English comedian, actor, columnist, singer, author and radio/television presenter.Brand achieved mainstream fame in the UK in 2004 for his role as host of Big Brother spin-off, Big Brother's Big Mouth. His first major film role was in the 2007 film St Trinians...
describes the phenomenon in his stand-up: "After I cum, it's like 'Oh my God, what have I done?' A sense of profound existential angst, a sense of loss, a sense that somehow I've let my mum down."