Sex Headaches

Sometimes, sex can cause headaches, particularly around orgasm. A dull, aching feeling in your head and neck might get worse as you get more excited. Or, more often, you might get a sudden, intense headache just before or during climax.

Most headaches related to sex aren't cause for concern. However, some headaches during or after sex could be a sign of something more serious, like issues with the blood vessels that carry blood to your brain. If you have a headache that is unusually severe or different from your usual headaches, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor.

Sexual headaches can come in two main forms:

1. A gradual headache: This is a sort of dull pain, often starting in the head and neck. As you get more aroused, this pain gets stronger.

2. A sudden, intense headache: This type of headache is sharp and throbbing. It usually happens just before or right when you have an orgasm.

Sometimes, people experience both types of headaches during a single episode.

Most sexual headaches last for at least a few minutes. Some can last for hours, and in rare cases, they might even persist for two or three days.

These headaches can occur in clusters, meaning several headaches happen over a few months. After that cluster, there might be a period of a year or more without any headaches. Approximately half of those who get these headaches experience them within about six months. It's also possible to only have one such headache in your lifetime.

Headaches during sex are generally nothing to worry about. However, if you get a headache while having sex, especially if it starts suddenly or it's a new type of headache for you, see a doctor right away.

Having an orgasm can sometimes cause a headache. These headaches, called sex headaches, can start quickly or gradually. Many times, these headaches are just a normal reaction to sex and aren't connected to any other health problem.

However, some sex headaches might be a sign of a more serious issue. Sudden sex headaches could be linked to:

• A bulge or weakness in a blood vessel in your brain (aneurysm): This is a weak spot in an artery that can bulge or even burst.
• A tangle of blood vessels in your brain (arteriovenous malformation, or AVM): These abnormal connections can sometimes bleed, especially if the blood vessel walls are weak. This bleeding can affect the fluid-filled spaces around your brain.
• A tear or rip in an artery in your brain (dissection): This tear can cause blood to leak into the surrounding tissue.
• Narrowing of the blood vessels in your brain (reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome): This can happen for various reasons. In some cases, it might be temporary and resolve on its own.
• A stroke: A stroke is a disruption of blood flow to the brain, which can cause many different symptoms.
• Heart problems (coronary artery disease): Sometimes, problems with blood vessels in the heart can affect blood vessels elsewhere in the body, including the brain.
• Side effects of some medicines, like birth control pills: Certain medications can sometimes trigger headaches as a side effect.
• Infections: Some infections can lead to inflammation in the blood vessels of the brain, causing headaches.

If your sex headache is accompanied by:

• Loss of consciousness
• Vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Other neurological symptoms (like numbness or weakness)
• Severe pain lasting more than a day

then it's more likely that there's an underlying medical condition causing the headache. You should see a doctor right away in these cases. These symptoms could signal a serious problem needing immediate medical attention.

Headaches during or after sex can happen to anyone, but some people are more likely to get them. These headaches aren't uncommon, and there are some factors that seem to increase the chance of experiencing them.

One factor is gender. Men tend to get these headaches more often than women. This doesn't mean women can't get them, just that men are statistically more likely to experience them.

Another factor is a history of migraines. If you've had migraines before, you might be more likely to get headaches during or after sex. Migraines are a type of severe headache, often accompanied by throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and sometimes nausea. Having a history of these kinds of headaches can make you more susceptible to similar issues related to sexual activity.

Headaches sometimes linked to sex can potentially be avoided by stopping sexual activity before reaching orgasm. A less active role during sex might also help reduce the risk of these headaches. This means focusing on pleasure and intimacy without necessarily needing to reach climax.

Doctors may recommend imaging tests to look for causes of your headache. These tests create pictures of your brain and blood vessels.

CT Scan: If your headache started recently (within 48-72 hours), a CT scan might be recommended. A CT scan uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed cross-sectional images of your brain and head. Think of it like taking many slices of your head to see the inside structures.

Cerebral Angiogram: Another test, called a cerebral angiogram, shows the blood vessels in your neck and brain. A thin, flexible tube is inserted into a blood vessel, often in your groin, and guided to an artery in your neck. A special dye (contrast material) is then injected through the tube. X-rays are taken to create pictures of the blood vessels. This helps doctors see if there are any blockages or problems with the blood vessels.

Lumbar Puncture (Spinal Tap): If your headache started suddenly and recently, and the brain imaging is normal, a spinal tap might be necessary. A spinal tap involves taking a small sample of the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord. This fluid can be checked for signs of bleeding or infection.

MRI Scan: An MRI scan of your brain can help doctors find the cause of your headache. MRI uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to create detailed images of the structures inside your brain.

MRA and CTA: Sometimes, doctors use MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography) or CTA (Computed Tomography Angiography). These tests create images of the blood vessels inside your brain and neck. They're similar to the cerebral angiogram, but they use different technology. The MRA uses a magnetic field and radio waves, while CTA uses X-rays and a computer.