What Are Sex Headaches (Coital Cephalgia)
Like? Who Gets Them?
Sex headaches can occur around either
masturbation or any kind of sex. There
have even been incidents where getting
into position has caused them. They are
rare, only one out of 360 headaches (not
people but people with headaches) are sex
headaches. The vast majority are benign,
although a few are signs of other medical
problems (see below). They are part of a
bigger phenomenon called exertional
headaches -- those caused by exercise.
Men and women have the same rates of
exertional headaches in general. But, men
have higher rates of sex headaches
specifically. This is the opposite of what
you might expect, as women have more
headaches in general. Estronaut was not
able to find the exact reason for this. It
could be due to the fact that men are more
likely to be the more active partner, more
likely to have an orgasm from sex, or
masturbate more than women. Women who are
more likely to get them are: over 40, have
recently started an exercise program, or
have migraines or tension headaches
already. There has been some evidence that
the 6 weeks after childbirth are also high
risk times. If a woman does have previous
headache problems, her sex headaches will
be of the same type.
They vary greatly from woman to woman.
They are divided into three basic types.
There are the early, mild headaches, that
are short-lasting. There are orgasmic
headaches, that are more sudden and
severe. These may or may not go into
post-coital headaches that last for up to
a day. This last type can occur by itself
as well.
Sex headaches are usually felt at the base
of the skull, but can be all over. The
pain can be mild to exploding. They do not
occur with every sex act. Some people go
for years between episodes.
What Causes Sex Headaches (Coital
Cephalgia)? Is There Something Serious
Wrong?
Obviously, sex raises the blood pressure.
This in turn raises the pressure in the
head. Also, sex causes muscle tightening
and tension. Sex headaches are a
combination of the blood pressure and
muscle tension, for most people. Some
cases have been found where there is low
pressure of the fluid around the brain and
spine.
In rare instances, sex headaches unveil
underlying medical problems. These
include: meningitis, bleeding in the
skull, aneurysm, tumors, strokes, and
various enodcrine disorders. The more
severe the pain is and the more the woman
has other symptoms (tingling, weakness,
numbness, changes in her vision,
disorientation) the more she should
consider seeing her doctor. The doctor
will review all her symptoms and
neurological signs in the office. If
necessary, she may go for a CAT scan or an
MRI. A spinal tap is done rarely.
Prevention And Treatment
Once they occur, the treatments are much
the same as any headaches. Again, migraine
suffers will likely have a migraine and
will want to use their fiorinal, or esgic.
Any caffiene based medications or
anti-inflammatories (naproxen, ibuprofen)
can be tried. Cold compresses, and lying
in a dark and quiet room can also help.
To prevent them, abstinence works, but
will have few takers. Switching to a less
active position or role also works. But
many women are already on the bottom and
those who aren't don't want to give it up.
Common, non-narcotic pain relievers, such
as naproxen (500mg) or anaprox (550mg)
taken an hour or two before sex can
prevent some sex headaches. Ibuprofen (at
least 400mg or more) can also work.
Propranolol, a blood pressure reducing
drug has also been used. About 40mg can be
given on a regular basis or a couple of
hours before sex. Migraine suffers use
their ergotamine. Some people try plain
old aspirin. With sex headaches, the
woman's anxiety level and feelings about
the relationship may be an issue. If there
are problems here, she and/or her partner
should seek counseling. If all else fails,
then just wait. Sex headaches often go
away on their own in a matter of weeks or
months.
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