Study explains why men and women behave differently after sex

GHN News- After
sex men and women have different behavior patterns with women wanting
to cuddle and men ready to get up and get on with the day.  Science
tells us why in a new study.

The explanations of these

differences is found "Sex Differences in Post-Coital Behaviors in
Long-and Short-Term Mating: An Evolutionary Perspective in an upcoming issue of The Journal of Sex Research.

“The
vast majority of the research on the evolutionary psychology of human
reproduction focuses on what’s before and leading up to sexual
intercourse,” says Susan Hughes,
associate professor of psychology at Albright College in Reading, Pa.
and head researcher. “But reproductive strategies don’t end with
intercourse; they may influence specific behaviors directly following
sex.”

Bonding, future relationship intentions (and
possible continued sexual activities), sperm retention and competition,
mate guarding and the possibility of fertilization some of the elements
of reproduction following sex, according to Hughes.“We predicted that
post-coital considerations are experienced quite differently by men and
women due to divergent adaptive reproductive strategies,” she says.

In
the study based on 170 people and their answers to questions regarding
how they interact following sex found men likely to enjoy behaviors
"extrinsically rewarding" but for women the importance was found in
talking afterward, kissing, cuddling and professing love.


Men also placed more importance on continuing sexual activity than did females.”

Other
interest highlights involved the fact men kiss before sex; women want
to kiss afterward.   “Kissing is used for both bonding and to increase
sexual arousal,” says Hughes. “Men may initiate kissing before
intercourse to guarantee sexual access, whereas women may use kissing
after sex to help secure the relationship.”

Sanitary
practices after sex  were far more likely to occur with short-term
partners than long-term ones. “In terms of evolutionary theory, it’s
possible that these are attempts on the part of the female to not retain
the sperm for a short-term mate,” she says.

Females
wanted to talk more before than after sex, although men's opinions were
more constant. “This may be a woman’s attempt to assure commitment and
investment from her partner before consenting to sex.”

Both men and women could agree on the importance of saying “I love you” to a long-term partner after sex.“Of
all the items measured, it was the only one that didn’t yield any
significant sex differences,” says Hughes. “It makes sense that if both a
man and a woman want a long-term relationship, they both understand
that after sex may be a time of bonding and expressing their love for
each other. Men who are in love might realize it’s especially important

to their partner that they show their devotion.”