While I don’t believe that I have ever experienced this personally, I have heard of women who have headaches during or soon after intercourse. I decided to do some reading on this topic to find out some more information.
Sex headaches are headaches brought on by sexual activity — especially an orgasm. You may notice a dull ache in your head and neck that builds up as sexual excitement increases. Or, more commonly, you may experience a sudden, severe headache just before or during orgasm. The most common headache happens with basically no warning and usually during the build up of an orgasm. You may notice a dull ache on the sides of your head, jaw clenching, neck tension, and can intensify as sexual excitement increases. They can last for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
What causes these? The head and neck muscles can tighten up during sexual activity that causes a headache to start. It could also be a response to increased blood pressure and heart rate during orgasm. I know I would probably be more susceptible to headaches while I have sinus infections, too.
In some cases, your first sex headache may also be your last one. And many sex headaches last for such a short period of time, the pain is gone before any pill you take can work. If they are severe and/or chronic, you will want to consult your doctor. Your doctor might prescribe either beta blockers daily (if you are prone to them a lot) or indomethacin or triptans can be prescribed and taken as a preventative. Only your doctor can choose a plan that is best for you.
So, what is your experience? Have you ever had these? How do you manage them? Let’s get your feedback!
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I have found the opposite to be true. Sex and going O is a sure cure for any headache. I the release of hormones leaves me feeling so relaxed and any headache I started out with is gone.
I’ve had two. The most recent one, my head was lower than most of the rest of my body and I think it increased the blood pressure in my head. The other one was a long time ago, before I worried about blood pressure. I was pretty tired, to the point of feeling like grey fog, not sure if being that tired contributed or not.
I actually get these quite frequently. Even my DH will get one occasionally. And usually with a very intense orgasm. But they do go away very quickly and usually one of us is pretty proud. 😉 not like it’s a goal but intense enough for a headache. We just laugh it off take a 5 minute break and back to the playground we go! 😉
I have had these a few times. They can be downright excruciating. Mr. B has experienced this for the first time recently. I found when he gets one thT a brief but thorough massage of his neck and back of his head can help alleviate the pain.
DH gets these sometimes. We have found they are most closely related to stress. The higher the stress level, the more intense the sex headache. Totally ruins the moment for both of us. 😦
I’m happy with the size of my DD’s. But they don’t match each other at all: they look like they could be on 2 different women. I like lefty better than righty, so if I could match them and maybe give a little lift, I might consider it.
I’ve had these a few times. I think it’s when my head is lower than my body, and then I sit up quickly, and boom, there it is. Luckily they do go away quickly, too.
I don’t think I’ve ever had one. There was a time I started feeling lightheaded, but that was from all the panting ;).
Your first commenter, Mrs. G, is right…usually sex will get rid of a regular headache. This type of headache, however, is different and I have struggled with them for several years. My doctor, who is a personal friend, recommended taking an aspirin an hour before sex and this has helped me a great deal. Orgasm headaches are more common than most people know and, because often they are cluster headaches that hit hard and fast, they are a horrible nuisance.