Sexual headache: Often no excuse

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MunichSex is a beautiful affair in itself, at least for most of them. Because some get a sharp headache when they have sex. And that happens more often than is officially known, says a headache expert at Loyola University Medical Center.

"Honey, not now, I have a headache" - this sentence is considered a clichéd excuse to avoid sex. But for some, this is an ugly reality: shortly before and during orgasm, they suffer from a severe headache. Around one percent of adults report such complaints. The neurologist Dr. Jose Biller thinks this is only the tip of the iceberg: "Many people who suffer from headaches during sexual activities are embarrassed, so they don't tell their doctor about it." The sexual headaches are often very painful and frightening. “They can also be frustrating for both partners,” explains Biller.

If in doubt, have it clarified

When someone has a headache, it is usually migraines or tension headaches. The complaints have no specific trigger. Sex headache is also actually harmless. For a small percentage of those affected, however, it looks different, because brain aneurysms, strokes or internal bleeding can also cause the stabbing pain. "That is why we recommend those affected to have their sexual headache clarified neurologically," said Biller. This is especially important when the pain occurs for the first time.

Men are particularly affected

The fact that an orgasm can cause headaches was already described by Hippocrates in ancient Greece. Nowadays experts differentiate between two forms of sexual headache: the pre-orgasmic headache, which slowly increases in intensity during sexual intercourse, and the much more frequent orgasmic headache. In this case, the headache occurs like attacks and explosions, usually immediately upon orgasm.

Contrary to what the cliché suggests, men in particular suffer from headaches associated with sex. "Depending on the type of headache, there are different medications that can help," says the neurologist. But there is also a lot that can be done preventively: those affected should exercise regularly, avoid excessive alcohol and maintain a healthy weight. As annoying as the sexual headache is, the symptoms usually go away on their own after a few weeks or months. (lh)

Source: Loyola University press release; Sex headaches: More common than you "d think; (accessed September 04, 2014)

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