Why You May Experience Ear Ringing After Orgasm
It’s common to feel relaxed and euphoric after orgasm. But for some people, climaxing leads to a less pleasant symptom—a ringing or buzzing sound in one or both ears.
This temporary tinnitus after sex tends to last under a minute, but can persist for hours in rare cases. The experience can be alarming if you’ve never had post-orgasmic ear ringing before.
Below we’ll explore the underlying causes of ear ringing after you climax. We’ll also provide tips to prevent and manage this harmless but annoying phenomenon.
What Causes Ear Ringing After an Orgasm?
There are a few theories as to what triggers tinnitus after sex or masturbation in some people:
- Muscle contractions – The muscular tension and contractions during climax may place pressure on the inner ear, causing ringing.
- Increased blood flow – Surges in blood circulation during arousal and orgasm can lead to turbulence or pressure changes in the ear.
- Neurochemicals – Sexual activity triggers the release of neurochemicals like dopamine and serotonin. These chemical shifts may influence the auditory nerve pathways.
In most cases, the ear ringing is temporary and not a cause for concern. However, chronic tinnitus may be a symptom of an underlying condition like high blood pressure, circulatory disorder, or ear bone changes.
Who Experiences Post-Orgasmic Tinnitus?
While it’s difficult to determine precisely how many people get tinnitus after orgasm, studies suggest it’s relatively common:
- Up to 65% of people with chronic tinnitus also have symptoms during or after sex
- Roughly 1 in 3 people with normal hearing experience temporary tinnitus after sex
- It seems to impact men and women nearly equally
People who already have chronic tinnitus seem more prone to experiencing worsened symptoms after orgasm. However, even many people with normal hearing report buzzing, ringing, or whooshing sounds after climaxing.
How Long Does Post-Orgasm Ringing Last?
For most people, any ear ringing, muffled hearing, or dizziness after orgasm is mild and temporary, lasting under a minute. However, in rare cases, it can continue for hours after sex.
If the ringing persists for more than a few hours after orgasm, or reoccurs with every sexual activity, check with your doctor to rule out potential underlying medical conditions like high blood pressure, aneurysm, or ear bone changes.
Coping Strategies for Ear Ringing After Orgasm
While ear ringing or dizziness after an orgasm is harmless for most, it can still be an annoying nuisance. Here are some tips to minimize it happening and manage symptoms:
Take Slow, Deep Breaths
Controlled breathing can help reduce muscle tension and turbulent blood flow to your ears after climaxing. Try long, slow inhales followed by longer, slower exhales.
Stay Well Hydrated
Dehydration can exacerbate circulation issues that may lead to post-orgasmic tinnitus. Drink plenty of water leading up to and after sexual activity.
Avoid Excessive Straining
Heavy muscle straining, holding your breath, or bearing down during orgasm can trigger ear issues after sex. Try to breathe freely and relax your body.
Limit Loud Noises
Exposure to loud noises during or after sex may worsen tinnitus symptoms. Turn down music and limit other noisy distractions.
Talk to Your Doctor
If ringing persists after sex, discuss symptoms with your doctor to check for underlying medical conditions, such as blood pressure concerns.
Consider Sound Therapy
Soothing background noise from a fan, white noise machine, or tinnitus therapy device can help mask ringing or buzzing after orgasm.
Track Your Symptoms
Note when tinnitus occurs, for how long, and what helps reduce it. This can help identify triggers and determine when to seek medical advice.
Reduce Stress
Anxiety and stress can exacerbate tinnitus. Try relaxing practices like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or massage.
Limit Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol can increase blood flow changes linked to post-sex tinnitus. Limit intake close to times of sexual activity.
Preventing Ear Ringing After Sex
While not always possible to prevent, there are some steps you can take to potentially reduce your chances of post-orgasm tinnitus:
Take Time to Build Up Slowly
Quickly going from arousal to climax can exacerbate circulation changes. Take your time with foreplay and intercourse to prevent swift spikes in blood flow.
Maintain Healthy Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can increase risk for buzzing or ringing ears after orgasm. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for keeping your blood pressure within a healthy range.
Choose Positions Carefully
Some sexual positions lead to greater tensing of head, neck, and core muscles. Modify positions to minimize straining.
Limit Oral Congestion
Breathing through your mouth, especially while bearing down, can increase congestion in ears and sinus cavities. Breathe through your nose as much as possible.
Discuss with Your Partner
If your partner is understanding, talk to them about the issue and strategies like allowing you time to fully come down after orgasm.
Get Regular Hearing Checks
Routine hearing exams can help identify any underlying problems that may be contributing to ongoing tinnitus symptoms after sex.
Seeking Medical Treatment for Persistent Ear Ringing
In nearly all cases, brief ear ringing, muffling, or dizziness after an orgasm is not a medical concern. However, if loud, prolonged symptoms persist, it’s important to seek professional help to check for potential underlying issues.
See your doctor promptly if you experience:
- Ringing lasting over an hour after orgasm
- Tinnitus after every sexual activity
- Hearing loss or severe dizziness
- Ear pain, discharge, or bleeding
Your physician will review your symptoms and medical history and conduct a hearing exam. They may recommend further tests if any abnormalities are found.
Based on exam findings, the doctor may check for conditions like:
- High blood pressure
- Ear bone changes
- Circulation disorders
- Medication side effects
- Earwax blockage
- Ear or sinus infection
Treatment will depend on the underlying cause but may include medications to lower blood pressure or improve circulation.
The Bottom Line
Brief tinnitus or muffled hearing after orgasm is common and typically not serious. It’s likely caused by muscle contractions, blood flow changes, or chemical shifts in the brain.
While annoying, symptoms usually resolve within a minute. Try relaxation techniques and avoiding triggers to minimize ear ringing after sex.
In rare instances where loud ringing persists for hours after orgasm or occurs chronically, seek medical attention. This may signal an underlying condition requiring treatment.
With the right coping strategies and follow up, bothersome ear symptoms after climax can be managed so you can enjoy the pleasurable afterglow.
FAQs
Why do some people get ear ringing after having an orgasm?
The main theories are that muscle contractions, blood flow changes, or shifts in brain chemicals during arousal and orgasm may affect the inner ear and hearing pathways, causing temporary tinnitus.
Is tinnitus after sex normal?
Yes, brief ear ringing or muffling after orgasm is very common and normal. Up to 1 in 3 people experience it at some point.
How long does ear ringing last after climaxing?
For most people, tinnitus after sex goes away within one minute. In rare cases, it may persist for a few hours before resolving.
What can you do to reduce ear ringing after orgasm?
Relaxation techniques, sound masking, staying hydrated, avoiding straining, and limiting loud noise can help minimize symptoms.
When should you see a doctor for ear ringing after sex?
Seek medical advice if loud ringing lasts over an hour after sex, happens every time you have an orgasm, or comes with hearing loss or ear pain.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Add Comment