When you hear about sex headaches you might think of a hacky 90s sitcom where the shlub husband grumbles at his disproportionally hot wife as she rubs her temples, avoiding that evenings lackluster dick-throwing. But, orgasm headaches are a real thing!
Some people experience pounding orgasm headaches either right before or during the big finale. While that sounds concerning, there’s actually no need to worry. Orgasm headaches are usually benign.
We’ll take you through what they are, the two main types of orgasm headaches, what might cause them, and how to prevent them from ruining your good time.
Symptoms of Orgasm Headaches
Orgasm headaches, aka coital cephalgia, can feel different depending on what type of sex headache you’re experiencing.
Pre-orgasmic headaches can slowly build up as pain through your shoulders and neck before traveling behind your eyes, increasing with pressure as you become more aroused. Orgasmic headaches hit hard and fast as you climax with a throbbing sensation. Headaches that develop after orgasm can last several minutes or linger around for a couple of hours.
You might have some nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, and muscle soreness as well. Again, these headaches aren't usually an indication of an underlying health issue.
Causes of Orgasm Headaches
Scientists aren’t totally sure what causes these hanky-panky headaches, but the biggest theories have to do with the sharp increase in heart rate and blood pressure that come with climax.
Orgasm headaches are considered a type of exertion headache. When you exert yourself, by working out or working one out during sex, your blood vessels dilate for more blood and oxygen to flow. This causes increased pressure in the brain, leading to more pounding than you bargained for.
Sex headaches could also be linked to stiff or sore muscles in the neck. And we all know how sore muscles happen when the sex is really good.
Men and people assigned male at birth have an increased risk of headaches after sex as do people with a history of migraines.
When to See a Doctor
Even though they can be intense and shocking, orgasm headaches are nothing to get concerned about. That being said, there are some scenarios where you talking to a doctor is a good idea.
If it’s your first sex headache, it would be worth it to visit you doctor just in case the headache is a sign of another condition. You should definitely make an appointment if an orgasm headache is severe and lasts longer than a few hours.
Absolutely see a medical professional if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fainting
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Loss of hearing
- Paralysis
- Seizures
These could be signs of a more serious underlying condition, like a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.
Always seek medical advice from a physician if you're really concerned. You know your own body. But as long as you don't experience the symptoms mentioned above and the headaches resolves with time or some painkillers, don’t stress too much about getting a headache after sex.
Diagnosis & Treatment
If you decide to make an appointment with your healthcare provider after you have your first orgasm headache, here’s what to expect.
They’ll definitely want your full medical history, especially if you have a history of migraines. Be honest with your doctor and share everything. After that, they’ll want to do a quick physical exam to rule out anything obvious. They may also want to run some tests or ask you to get scans, like an MRI, to double-check your noodle.
Treatment for orgasm headaches is nothing special, unless your doctor finds an underlying condition. Just like any other headache, pop some over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or aspirin. Migraine medications can help, too.
If you’re using migraine meds on a regular basis, remember to take them as soon as you feel the headache come on, as waiting can lower their effectiveness.
Can you prevent an orgasm headache?
If you want to prevent sex headaches, you could avoid sex.
Just kidding!
If you’re worried about getting a headache after sex, communicate with your partner and try some more lowkey sexual activities that don’t trigger an orgasm headache. You could also try some sexy relaxation techniques like breathing exercises or Tantra.
If you can, try taking a pain reliever 30 minutes or so before getting busy. That can help if an orgasm headache comes on later.
The Bottom Line
Orgasm headaches can be alarming, but they are usually harmless.
If you are experiencing frequent or severe headaches after sex or during sex, talk to your partner and consider seeing a doctor to discuss treatment and prevention. Be open and honest with your doctor, even about sex stuff. Trust me, they’ve heard it all before.
Orgasm headaches are easily treatable and preventable with a wide variety of medications and lifestyle changes, so don’t let orgasm headaches stop you from letting your freak flag fly!
