In the movies, a pair of lovers may share a cigarette or tender embrace after a passionate encounter.
But in real life, what if you're more likely to burst into tears after sex?
It's a mysterious phenomenon called postcoital dysphoria - otherwise known as "post-sex blues" and a new Queensland University of Technology survey wants to know more about it.
The survey aims to investigate how people experience the period immediately following consensual sexual activity.
It's hoped the research could help shed light on postcoital dysphoria which typically manifests in feelings of sadness, anxiety, irritability and tearfulness.
Professor Robert Schweitzer, of QUT's School of Psychology and Counselling, says this survey will be the first to seek data from both men and women, as well as those of different sexual orientations.
He's hoping its findings will enrich society's understanding of the "resolution phase" of the human sexual cycle and question the assumption that sex is "solely excitement and pleasure".
In particular, he hopes it could dispel some of the shame or embarrassment felt by those who experience postcoital dysphoria.
"We live in a society where there is so much emphasis on sex being a kind of ultimate goal and there are all these articles on how to have good sex," he told AAP.
"Everyone thinks if one's experience deviates from the 'media picture' of what sex is about, there must be something wrong with (them)."
But he says, so far, there are no "obvious" causes and the condition doesn't reflect the nature of the relationship itself.
"It's a counterintuitive thing. I think the real implication is (people) tend to blame themselves, when in actual fact they are not alone," he says.
Anyone can voluntarily answer the survey, which features questions about sexual satisfaction as well as the stability of one's diet, personal safety and employment opportunities, and researchers encourage a wide range of respondents.
Findings are expected be collated and analysed mid-year.
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