Refractory Period And Prolactin: New Data

[BillR31]

For a long time it was presumed that prolactin was responsible for the delay in the ability to have a quick repeat ejaculation (the Refractory Period). This gave rise to many suggested treatments (some potentially dangerous) to reduce prolactin, and so reduce the Refractory Period. Here’s a recent research paper which calls this into question (but which also notes that the cause of the Refractory Period is not yet known:

Why do males have to wait for “round 2”? The reason may be different from what we think. | Champalimaud Foundation

 

[hlariv]

I saw this article...my doc had suggested I look into non ejaculatory orgasm to address refractory period. After researching and trying it briefly (unsuccessfully), I told her I didn't have the patience to work on it. lol

Taking Viagra does reduce the refractory period for me quite a bit though, at least at 60 mg (3 generic 20 mg tablets). Down to a couple minutes sometimes.

 

[2891]

Interesting study. Well at least we know that it is not prolactin that induces the refractory period. Unfortunately, the cause remains unknown.

 

[Acratopotes]

It seems to me that this research is flawed. It may indicate what it claims, but the fact that prolactin rises at a different point in the sexual cycle in mice, i.e. during arousal rather than at ejaculation, than in humans might invalidate the results.

If they are right, though, I wonder if it is another hormone - I am sure there are some we have yet to discover. Or maybe prolactin is involved but only works when enabled by something else which the study didn't replicate.

Then there is the question of why the period gets longer with increasing age. If the effect is due to a hormone, even if no prolactin, it would make sense that with a slower metabolism and maybe a less efficient liver, the hormone is simply not cleared as soon in an older man than a younger one.

 

[hlariv]

Then there is the question of why the period gets longer with increasing age. If the effect is due to a hormone, even if no prolactin, it would make sense that with a slower metabolism and maybe a less efficient liver, the hormone is simply not cleared as soon in an older man than a younger one.

I hadn't thought about a longer refractory period with age. I have noticed this (I'm 55), though Viagra does seem to reduce the refractory period (my doc said studies show it doesn't help with refractory period - maybe it's psychological with me)

 

[john625]

I have a friend with severe Bipolar Disorder. He is a few years younger than me (around 40). When Manic, he can ejaculate 5 or more times per day. I think his most recent record is 8 (like his cock, lol).

Mania is largely a result of high Dopamine levels, and Dopamine controls Prolactin release in men. More Dopamine = less Prolactin. It also inhibits gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion. This hormone directly stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone., with higher levels reducing testosterone production.

Dopamine antagonists kill sex drive, via cerebral activity and reducing testosterone production inhibited by increased Prolactin.

The Dopamine agonist Cabergoline is known to reduce the refractory period, and has been used recreationally for such.

 

[john625]

Interesting study. Well at least we know that it is not prolactin that induces the refractory period. Unfortunately, the cause remains unknown.

Where have you read that?

 

[2891]

Where have you read that?

Hey John, I was referring the OP's linked article. It's an interesting read.

 

[john625]

Hey John, I was referring the OP's linked article. It's an interesting read.

Sorry. Life somebody else said, it was a mouse study, not a human study. This is more interesting, albeit with a sample size of one. But it confirms observations about my friend, and what I mentioned regarding Dopamine's role in Prolactin regulation, and the effect of agonists/antagonists on each other.

It would be nice to round up 100 guys with short refractory and study them vs 100 with normal.

 

[BubbleButtHungBoy]

I saw this article...my doc had suggested I look into non ejaculatory orgasm to address refractory period. After researching and trying it briefly (unsuccessfully), I told her I didn't have the patience to work on it. lol

Taking Viagra does reduce the refractory period for me quite a bit though, at least at 60 mg (3 generic 20 mg tablets). Down to a couple minutes sometimes.

Can a young guy like myself take viagra just for the boost and reduced refractory period or is it to risky?

 

[john625]

Can a young guy like myself take viagra just for the boost and reduced refractory period or is it to risky?

I find that it seems to reduce the erection refractory period but for me, not the ejaculation refractory period. In fact, for me Viagra makes cumming difficult -- it is prescribed for premature ejaculation.

 

[hlariv]

I find that it seems to reduce the erection refractory period but for me, not the ejaculation refractory period. In fact, for me Viagra makes cumming difficult -- it is prescribed for premature ejaculation.

I don't have a problem cumming when on Viagra. But I had an issue with premature ejaculation previously, so Viagra actually helps in my situation.

 

[hlariv]

Can a young guy like myself take viagra just for the boost and reduced refractory period or is it to risky?

It's not supposed to affect refractory period, so I wouldn't take it just for that. I do take it for the "boost"...I don't have ED, but it gives me an erection like I used to get in my 20s, so I've been pleased with the results

 

[Acratopotes]

...Mania is largely a result of high Dopamine levels, and Dopamine controls Prolactin release in men. More Dopamine = less Prolactin. It also inhibits gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion. This hormone directly stimulates the Leydig cells in the testes to produce testosterone., with higher levels reducing testosterone production.

Do you have a reference for the influence of LH on the Leydig cells being that way round? The Wikipedia article on LH suggests a positive relation, i.e. more LH produces more testosterone.

So when you say "it" also inhibits gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion do you mean dopamine or prolactin?

 

[Acratopotes]

Can a young guy like myself take viagra just for the boost and reduced refractory period or is it to risky?

So how short are you trying to make your refractory period. I still clearly remember my wife and I have sex five times in a day and being rock hard each time. I didn't time the interval between but if we are asleep for 8 of the 24 hours and therefore awake for 16, that still gives at least two hours between each so you don't need to be able to reload in five minutes to have a really good day.

 

[BubbleButtHungBoy]

So how short are you trying to make your refractory period. I still clearly remember my wife and I have sex five times in a day and being rock hard each time. I didn't time the interval between but if we are asleep for 8 of the 24 hours and therefore awake for 16, that still gives at least two hours between each so you don't need to be able to reload in five minutes to have a really good day.

Ideally the refractory period should be ten minutes

 

[Acratopotes]

Ideally the refractory period should be ten minutes

But then I think it depends on what you mean by refractory period. If I took viagra and it enabled me to squeeze the five orgasms previously spread out through the day into a single hour then that may make a particular kind of encounter more enjoyable, but it isn't going to make the whole day better or vastly increase the number of orgasms I can enjoy because before long I would be completely dry.

I've not tried it, but I assume Viagra does not cause your load to replenish more quickly?

 

[john625]

Do you have a reference for the influence of LH on the Leydig cells being that way round? The Wikipedia article on LH suggests a positive relation, i.e. more LH produces more testosterone.

So when you say "it" also inhibits gonadotropin-releasing hormone secretion do you mean dopamine or prolactin?

Prolactin.

Prolactin inhibits GRH, which inhibits LH release, causing a decrease in T; yes my sentence structure was ambiguous.

Still, the main point is not the acute T decrease due to Prolactin from the GRH/LH/T cascade. Dopamine is by far more important due to its inhibitory affect on Prolactin's production.

I did a quick look at T's effect on the refractory period, and I could not find anything indicating that T is a significant factor. Keep in mind too that T is a necessary, but not sufficient requirement for sex drive. When Dopamine is reduced, sex drive is reduced regardless of T level. The converse is also true, as elderly men taking a Dopamine agonist often have an increased sex drive, sometimes to the compulsive level.

I don't remember my manic friend ever talking about his testosterone level, but I know that mine has always been high, probably higher than his, yet I was never able to attain anywhere close to his pernicious proclivities. This study sums it up.

Effects of acute prolactin manipulation on sexual drive and function in males - PubMed

 

[MilfBanger78]

The Dopamine agonist Cabergoline is known to reduce the refractory period, and has been used recreationally for such.

Indeed. Caber is well known to be part of the "pornstar stack" along with testosterone cialis clomid and proviron. Ive used caber but its expensive and i was never consistent enough during the times I dabbled with it. But it had an effect in terms of sex drive for sure IE staying horny after cumming. Problem is it takes me forever to cum during sex normally anyways lol. I've been that way always. Some chicks like that, some cant handle the pounding,

Macuna pruriens is a decent herbal alternative to caber, obviously not as strong though

 

[Acratopotes]

I don't remember my manic friend ever talking about his testosterone level, but I know that mine has always been high, probably higher than his, yet I was never able to attain anywhere close to his pernicious proclivities. This study sums it up.

Effects of acute prolactin manipulation on sexual drive and function in males - PubMed

Ok, I read the whole paper rather than just the abstract and their finding seems to be that prolactin is significant but doesn't act alone.

On the dopamine I also read that dopamine also gradually reduces as we age. So by the relationship you highlighted earlier that would leave to a higher chronic base level of prolactin which would also lead to lower testosterone. So is that was drives the gradual reduction in testosterone as we age?