Sexual intercourse is often a pleasurable experience between two people. But in rare cases, some people get headaches during sex. If this happens to you, you might be having an orgasm headache. In this article, we will be going into what kind of headache this is, what could be causing it, what orgasm headache treatment is available to you, or if it’s something deeper. However, this type of pain shouldn’t stop you from enjoying intimacy with your partner nor should it affect the quality of your sex life.
What is an orgasm headache?
Also known as a sex headache or a primary headache associated with sexual activity, this type of headache presents with dull pain in the head or neck area. The ache builds up as sexual excitement mounts. It can also be very sudden and very painful, occurring right before or during orgasm. It can last for several minutes, but many do get them in clusters over a span of months.
Some people also experience this headache for a minute up to 24 hours with severe pain, while for others it lasts for up to 72 hours with mild pain. This kind of headache occurs on both sides and at the back of the head.
What Causes It?
There is no exact reported cause of these headaches, but the dull type is thought to be due to muscle contraction in the head and neck (much like a tension headache). The sudden type – also called an explosive headache – is believed to be caused by changes in the regulation of blood vessels. In turn, this leads to the widening or dilation of blood vessels, much like what happens when you get a migraine.
Orgasm Headache Treatment
Analgesics (painkillers) such as acetominophen are not considered effective as orgasm headache treatment. Instead, these headaches are often solved by the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are usually prescribed for pain, inflammation and fever:
- Indomethacin: This is used for the relief of mild to moderate pain as well as symptoms of arthritis.
- Triptans: This drug is the first line of defense against acute migraines.
- Propranolol: This type of medication falls under beta-blockers, which are used to reduce blood pressure. Despite this, they are also used to treat migraines.
However, orgasm headache treatment can also come in the form of preventative solutions. One of the ways is taking prescription medication upon the advice of your doctor, while the other is taking on a less active role while engaging in sex.
What Should I Be Cautious About?
Even though they may indeed be orgasm headaches, you should take care to rule out any possible underlying conditions. For instance, explosive headaches can be linked to the following:
- Intracranial aneurysm: This refers to the widening of an artery wall inside the brain.
- Abnormal connection of arteries and veins in the brain: This can cause bleeding in the spinal fluid-filled space surrounding the brain.
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage: Bleeding around the brain.
- Stroke: This affects arteries that lead to and reside within the brain.
- Coronary artery disease: This is the accumulation of plaque in arteries that deliver oxygen-carrying blood to the heart. The build-up of plaque may cause a blockage, resulting in a heart attack.
- Medication: Certain drugs, such as birth control pills, are known to cause headaches.
- Inflammation arising from infection: Swelling of the blood vessels in brain and infections (e.g., meningitis) can lead to chronic headaches.
Headaches that are produced by these conditions will likely not respond to orgasm headache treatment.
Key Takeaway
Primary headaches related to sexual activity can present with a dull ache or be sudden and severe. Orgasm headache treatment includes taking NSAIDS, specifically indomethacin, triptans, and propranolol. However, you should rule out more serious underlying conditions such as bleeds in the brain or diseases of the arteries.
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