When you orgasm, you may get a headache. This is not uncommon, though many people are hesitant to talk about it. It’s important to know about this so you can seek treatment if needed.
A primary sexual headache starts as a dull pain before orgasm, and gets worse with increasing sexual excitement. This type of headache is harmless, but if it is severe or chronic, you should see your doctor for treatment.
Causes
If you’ve ever felt a throbbing pain in the back of your head just as sexual satisfaction is reaching its peak, that’s what’s known as a sex headache. It’s surprisingly common, though it’s often dismissed as a normal part of orgasm. Sex headaches aren’t just caused by sexual activity, however — they can also be caused by a number of other things, including exercise, sleep deprivation, and neck strain (from text neck syndrome).
Benign sex headaches may occur before orgasm and have three different types. A pre-orgasmic headache typically begins as a dull ache that gets worse as sexual excitement builds and can last for several minutes. A post-orgasmic headache usually feels like a tension-type headache and is more intense. Finally, explosive headaches can be sudden and very painful and can also occur right before or at the moment of orgasm.
It isn’t clear exactly what causes sex headaches, but they’re often linked to the tightening of muscles in the neck and spine during sexual excitement. They can also be triggered by a spike in blood pressure, which causes blood vessels to dilate.
People with a history of migraine headaches are more likely to get them. They can happen as a single event or in clusters over a few months. Some people have sex headaches that are chronic and last for more than a year.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of a headache when orgasm is a severe throbbing sensation in the head that comes on suddenly and lasts for several minutes. It may be more intense behind the eyes or on one side of the head. Some people also experience nausea and sensitivity to light and sound when the headache starts. The pain usually stops when orgasm occurs, but if it lingers for more than 24 hours, see a doctor immediately as it could be a sign of a serious problem.
This type of headache is a primary headache, which means it isn’t caused by another health condition. It happens as a result of the rapid expansion of blood vessels in the brain during sexual activity. This increase in pressure can trigger a headache, which is also known as a pre-orgasm or sexual benign headache.
Some patients also experience a pain called a thunderclap headache, which is more serious and has to do with the skull and spine. It feels like a massive blow to the head and may be followed by bleeding around and in the brain.
The most important thing is to keep taking an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever, such as ibuprofen. You can also try avoiding foods that are known to trigger headaches and use a hot or cold compress. A chiropractor or massage therapist may help ease the tension in your neck and head. Some studies show that beta-blockers, such as propranolol, can also be effective in reducing orgasm headaches.
Treatment
You’ve reached sexual release, but a throbbing pain in your head keeps you from enjoying the full experience. You might call it a “pre-orgasmic headache,” and researchers think it’s triggered by the same increase in blood pressure that causes your blood vessels to dilate when you reach orgasm. Men are 3-4 times more likely to experience this type of headache than women, and migraine sufferers have higher odds of getting them as well.
These aren’t your typical headaches, though, which are typically a result of an underlying health issue like high blood pressure or sinus problems. They’re known as primary headaches because they don’t occur as a result of a medical condition or disease. Headaches linked to sexual stimulation may also be called pre-orgasmic or orgasm headaches, and they’re often a combination of both types.
Whether you’re experiencing one orgasm headache or multiple per month, it’s important to see your doctor right away. Your doctor will be able to determine the cause of your headache and recommend treatment.
The treatment for a sex headache will vary depending on what’s causing it, but it could include taking pain relievers as needed. Your doctor might also prescribe medication to prevent the headache from occurring. If you’re prone to getting these types of headaches, try Lemonaid to get migraine relief delivered directly to your door.
Prevention
While most of the time, a headache during orgasm is harmless, it can be a sign that something is seriously wrong, such as a blood vessel problem. This is why it is important to see a doctor for a complete evaluation, especially if the headache is severe or reoccurs frequently.
While scientists don’t know exactly what causes these headaches, they do know that the pain comes from the sudden dilation of the blood vessels in your head. This is why it’s important to stop sexual activity when the headache starts. This may help to prevent the headache from worsening and can be helpful for those who are prone to migraines as well.
If you have a history of migraines, daily medication like beta-blockers such as propranolol (Inderal, Innopran XL) and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) can reduce the incidence of sex headaches by keeping your blood pressure steady. An anti-inflammatory such as indomethacin or a triptan, an anti-migraine drug, can also help to relieve a sex headache.
It is also important to avoid sexual activities that can cause the headache such as those that involve oral contact and genital massage. Those who are obese, who have a family history of migraines or who have had head trauma or other traumatic brain injuries are more likely to suffer from this type of headache.
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