The Passion Cycle (aka: the sex hangover)

[BailHope]

I've been reading up the past weekend, and I've been reading about the Passion Cycle here: http://www.reuniting.info/passion_cycle.

It talks about the hormonal changes that occur after orgasm. These changes remain for at least seven days. During these 7 days, our libido is diminished somewhat. From what I understand of it, the first orgasm lowers our libido a bit. The second orgasm that occurs within those seven days, lowers it some more, the next one even more, and so on ...

Could this be a scientific explanation for the flatline? Meaning our libido has been pushed down to almost zero because of the high level of prolactine? If we orgasm, after orgasm, after orgasm, we fill our bodies with prolactin, which suppresses the effects of dopamine?
That, together with a low count of dopamine receptors causes the so called flatline?

I'm very interested in hearing other people's opinions on this. What do you think?

 

[TheWanderer]

Yes, that's actually what happens after orgasm. Prolactin levels rise and dopamine levels go down. Maybe those that are porn addicted have slightly elevated levels of prolactin in their bodies because they tend to have lower levels of dopamine (and these two hormones are antagonists). Lower levels of dopamine are explained by depression and lack of focus, lack of interest in almost everything. So, you have a good point in what you're saying: prolactin surely decreases libido in men.

 

[Gary Wilson]

Could this be a scientific explanation for the flatline? Meaning our libido has been pushed down to almost zero because of the high level of prolactin? If we orgasm, after orgasm, after orgasm, we fill our bodies with prolactin, which suppresses the effects of dopamine? That, together with a low count of dopamine receptors causes the so called flatline?

Prolactin is not involved, for many reasons:

1) The flatline occurs usually about a week or so after stopping PMO, and continues for weeks to months.

2) The body doesn't fill with prolactin. Maybe it is high for an hour after ejaculation. In female rats sex initiates 2 weeks of 2 prolactin surge during the day. Prolactin is not continuously high.

3) In human females the evidence suggests the prolactin surges occur for only a day or two. See - http://yourbrainonporn.com/women-does-orgasm-give-you-hangover

4) These surges probably do not occur in males. Since prolactin can inhibit tetsoterone, we should see lower testosterone with ejaculations. But that doesn't occur. Ejaculation has no effects on testosterone - other than a one day surge around day 7 of abstinence. See - http://yourbrainonporn.com/selected-testosterone-research

It's clear that PMO-induced brain changes are behind  flatline, not circulating hormones.