In rare cases, sexual activity — particularly climax — might cause headaches. A dull discomfort in the head and neck may develop as sexual desire grows. Alternatively, you may feel a strong headache right before or during orgasm.
The majority of sex headaches are harmless. Some, though, might be an indication of something more serious, such as issues with the blood arteries that supply the brain.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SEX HEADACHES?
Sex headaches are classified into two types:
- A dull discomfort in the head and neck that worsens with sexual arousal
- A intense, throbbing headache that happens right before or during orgasm.
Both sorts of headaches can occur in certain persons.
The majority of sex headaches linger at least a few minutes. Others may stay for hours or even days.
Many persons who suffer from sex headaches will have them in clusters over a few months, then go for a year or more without experiencing any. Up to half of all persons who have sex headaches have them for at least six months. Some people may only experience one assault in their life.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF SEX HEADACHES?
Sex headaches can be caused by any form of sexual activity that results in orgasm.
Sex headaches that appear suddenly or gradually might be primary headache disorders with no underlying cause. Sex headaches that appear unexpectedly are more likely to be caused by:
- A enlargement or bubble in the artery wall within your skull (intracranial aneurysm)
- An arteriovenous malformation is an abnormal link between arteries and veins in the brain that bleeds into the spinal fluid-filled area in and around the brain.
- Stroke
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Some drugs, such as birth control tablets, are used.
- Bleeding into the artery that leads to the brain (dissection)
- Narrowing of the cerebral arteries (reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome)
- Inflammation caused by some illnesses
Sex headaches that are accompanied by loss of consciousness, vomiting, stiff neck, other neurological symptoms, and intense pain that lasts longer than 24 hours are more likely to be caused by an underlying cause.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR SEX HEADACHES?
Anyone can have a sex headache. However, the following are risk factors for these headaches:
- Being male: Men are more likely to get sex headaches.
- Migraine history: Being prone to migraines raises your chances of experiencing sex headaches.
HOW IS SEX HEADACHES DIAGNOSED?
Imaging of the brain
Your doctor will almost certainly propose brain imaging.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI of the brain can aid in the detection of any underlying reasons of your headache. A magnetic field and radio waves are employed during the MRI test to obtain cross-sectional pictures of the brain's architecture.
- Computerized tomography (CT): A CT scan of the brain may be performed in rare circumstances, particularly if your headache began within the previous 48 to 72 hours.
CT scans the brain and skull using an X-ray machine that spins around the body and a computer to produce cross-sectional pictures.
- Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and computed tomography (CT) angiography are two types of angiography: These examinations show the blood arteries leading to and within the brain and neck.
Angiograms
A cerebral angiography, which shows the arteries in the neck and brain, may also be ordered by your physician.
This treatment is threading a thin, flexible tube through a blood vessel, typically beginning in the groin and ending in an artery in the neck. In order for an X-ray machine to generate a picture of the arteries in the neck and brain, contrast material is injected into the tube.
Spinal tap
A spinal tap (lumbar puncture) is often required as well, especially if the headache began suddenly and lately and brain imaging is normal.
The clinician drains a little portion of the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord during this surgery. A fluid sample can reveal whether there is bleeding or an infection.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR SEX HEADACHES?
Your first sex headache may also be your only one in some situations. Some sex headaches resolve quickly, so the discomfort is gone before any pain killer can take effect.
Preventive medications
If you have a history of sex headaches and no underlying reason, your doctor may advise you to take preventative drugs on a regular basis. These might include:
- Daily medications: To prevent sex headaches, beta blockers such as propranolol (Inderal, Innopran XL) or metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL), which are used to treat high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and migraines, can be used daily. They are only advised if you experience frequent or lengthy bouts. Verapamil hydrochloride (Calan SR), a calcium channel blocker that is also used to treat high blood pressure, may be a possibility. Other migraine preventative drugs may be utilized in persons who have a migraine history.
- Occasional medications: To avoid headaches, take an anti-inflammatory such as indomethacin or one of the triptans, a type of anti-migraine drug, one hour before sex.
HOW CAN SEX HEADACHES BE PREVENTED?
Sex headaches can sometimes be avoided by ceasing sexual activity before to climax. Taking a more passive role during sex may also be beneficial.