Consider Primary Headache Attributed to Sexual Activity

Primary Headache Attributed to Sexual Activity

This type of headache is triggered by sexual activity, usually starting as a dull bilateral ache (both sides of the head) as sexual excitement increases and suddenly becoming intense at orgasm. In many cases the pain is only triggered at the time of orgasm.

The duration varies considerably; from a few minutes up to 24 hours following the activity, and the duration of the most severe pain on average is about 30 minutes. The pain can be one-sided but is more often felt on both sides of the head.

The average age of onset is between 30-40 years and is more common in men.

The type of sex headache with explosive onset can be seen with a very serious problem, intracranial arterial aneurysm; small swellings of a blood vessel. This condition can result in sudden death when the vessel leaks. Headache with sexual activity always needs careful medical assessment, especially if there is explosive onset.

If this brief description does not match your headache type, go to Section 1 – Q.4

Treatment

Initial treatment of primary headache attributed to sexual activity is to remain sexually inactive until the sufferer is completely free of the symptoms, or by being more passive during sexual activity. If this is ineffective, then short-term preventative medication can often help, including a drug called indomethacin, taken before any planned activity.

Longer term prevention can be successful with propranolol, metoprolol, atenolol or diltiazem. Any preventative treatment should be stopped after a few months since the headache occurs in bouts in most sufferers.