Headache during sex

by Garrett
(Alabama)

I am a 21 year old male, who about 3 years ago had sex and started to have extremely painful headaches, that is pounding and its deep into my neck and all over my head. The headache starts soon after sex and gets really intense at the orgasm. It usually leaves me laying in bed curled up in pain. It seems to happen to my pretty randomly every year since but it seems to never go away for over a week to two weeks at a time.

My question is what is causing this and what can I do to fix my problem? I have tried taking advil, tylenol, and excedrine migraine, and nothing seems to be working.

Answer:

Hi Garrett,

Your problem of headache during sex is more common than you think.

The technical term is benign coital headache but if it lasts for several days afterward it may be triggering a migraine headaches. Migraines that go beyond three days are termed status migrainosus.

I would like you to read this page about headache during sex. If you have not seen a neurologist about this, I would recommend you make an appointment to have an MRI and MRA done to rule out an aneurysm.

You do not mention if there is a family history of headaches, migraines or aneurysms. If there is make sure you tell the doctor this as migraine and aneurysms can be passed genetically in a family.

If aneurysm is ruled out the treatment is simple..an anti-inflammatory taken about an hour before sexual relations.

Good luck!
Mary Kay Betz MS RPA-C
Physician Assistant