Coital Cephalgia!?
Well, you live and learn. I decided to browse through some of our local newspapers today to see if I could come up with a post, an lo and behold, here it is!
I read this article from the Observer and nearly got a headache from the surprise myself. Now, I know the name sounds like a lot of medical jargon. But, in actual fact, when you dissect it, Coital refers to sex, Cephalic to head, and -algia to pain. Hence, Sex Related Headaches.
Now, I had no idea that such a thing really existed at all. In fact, I would probably want to think of some good sex as a means for helping to relieve a headache because the relaxation associated with orgasm helps to induce sleep. What also surprised me, is the part of the article that states that sex related headaches are more common in us GUYS!
This they say may be related to the fact that we tend to get more physical than women when getting down to business. Hmm.
Well, like any good doctor, I guess I am interested in prevention and cure. Abstinence is said to work, but as we all know, this is not practical or by any means popular. Having to pop an analgesic pill about an hour before sex, if you ask me, seems a bit tacky. Then again, I guess if one anticipates that you’re going to get some action, it can be done privately without your partner knowing that you have to take it.
What of the part that states that post orgasmic headaches can last for up to a day after the pleasure itself? That seems so frightening to me……Now, men are always noted for quarrelling about not getting enough of the goodly stuff. We frequently mock our female partners by saying that we are greeted with, “Not tonight honey, I have a headache!” That may change to, “Not tonight honey, I’m going to get a headache if we do!” (I guess in this situation you’re ’screwed’ if you do, as well as if you don’t eh?)
To make a long story short, I always thought of sex as a way of releasing tension. And, speaking for myself, the only sex related ‘head’ache that I can remember having, is the throbbing one associated with NOT GETTING SEX! Comments, headaches anybody!?
November 24th, 2002 at 2:23 pm huh! I guess everyone needs an excuse!
November 24th, 2002 at 11:40 pm I’d never heard about it either
November 25th, 2002 at 1:07 pm That’s certainly a strange occurrence. I tend to agree with you that headaches may result from not having the funky stuff rather than from indulgence. Humm…I wonder where in the world that survey or research was carried out. It certainly couldn’t have been Jamaica.
November 26th, 2002 at 7:20 pm I prefer sex as a way to get RID of a headache….both the man’s (other head) and mine… But, there are people who suffer headaches as a direct result of orgasm. The increase in blood pressure and the straining that one endures during the act….well, it does kind of make sense. Luckily, my headaches do not follow such activities. Of course, it’s been so long that I don’t think I can safely say this….
November 26th, 2002 at 9:50 pm Hey Goddess, we have to see what can be done to get you over this dry spell….Who knows, you may even end up with a migraine!
January 13th, 2003 at 11:52 pm As a female who suffers from these types of headaches, I can tell you that they are no fun. The pain hits hard, and fast, and doesn’t go away easily. It doesn’t stop me from being with my husband, but it has made us slow down, and take our time. The softer the love making, the less chance of getting a headach. The only draw back is, that I climax less. But hey, I’d rather take it slow, then not take it at all.
March 17th, 2003 at 8:11 pm I have recently found out that I suffer from Coital headaches =( I have never had this problem before, just in the last year it has started. I am greatful to say that it isn’t everytime I orgasim. I am a sexaholic, and I have to tell you that the pain is so bad I am thinking of cutting back. It is very difficult to talk to my partner about it because I have never had them before he thinks they are because of him =(
March 23rd, 2003 at 9:35 pm I recently recieved a bill from my doctor and physical therapist for alot of money. The only thing is that they never really told me what was the cause of my dizzy spells and the headaches. When I got the bill it said that I was diagnosed with cephalgia, when I went on to the internet that is when I read this info and it is really funny especially since Iam a virgin!
April 3rd, 2003 at 12:23 pm My boyfriend just starting have these a few days ago. They are terrible, and not really something to be made light of. He’s going to the doctor today to see about treatments. I’m hoping it’s something that will just go away and we won’t have to deal with it the rest of our lives. It’s happened three times, and then we decided to stop until he goes to the doctor.
June 4th, 2003 at 6:39 am im 16 and enjoyin the life of regular masturbation, as all 16 year olds do. lately i got the headaches, and im worried- it builds up just before the orgasm , then u get mindblowed with pleasure AND pain, but the pain stays and the pleasure dont. i dont know what to do can anyone help me please? thanks, plz mail me.
June 13th, 2003 at 7:33 am I have just recentley been diagnosed as having coital cephalgia and let me tiell u it is no fun.. I am however experiencing this everytime i have sex and thats no fun either. my doctor referred me to see a neurologist which scared me to death. I have recently collasped with this ended up in hospital haveing cat scan and spinal tap. The Doctors comments at the beginning are a bit as tho he doesnt beleive in this well let me tell you Dr it is real and it can spoil your life so dont make fun it isnt fair.
June 25th, 2003 at 11:56 pm i hope someone can help you out, carole (and everyone else as well) - i get these very badly suddenly the past few months, but fortunately it’s not every time. the headache can take 2 days to go away completely (they seem to take less time to go away if you do “finish”), and that is on top of every headache medicine there is (which ibuprofen types seem to do the best, but nothing makes it gone completely except time). it is pretty frightening the first time this occurs - as you could swear you’re having an aneurysm or something (you know how great orgasm is - well, the headache is on the opposite end of the scale in matching intensity or more). i’d always thought of sex as a way of relieving tension as well - hrmph, go figure.
July 24th, 2003 at 6:35 pm feels like sammy sosa hitting your head with his corked bat. i had them 4 years ago then they just stopped. now they are back and this time are not subsiding.. the intensity varies but it has been constant for past week
August 17th, 2003 at 12:52 pm They’re terrible, it helps some to know that I’m not the only one getting them, guess I’ll have to talk to my doc.
August 18th, 2003 at 5:32 am they say men are more likely to get these pains but it seems as though there are many women in reply to this as well. i am an 18 year old female and i have been experiencing coital-like symptoms, except it starts 5-10 minutes after i start gettin busy, the headache doesnt hit right away like how everyone else states. however strange parts of my body get tingly(from the most obvious-hands & feet to not so obvious being the bridge of my nose and roof of my mouth) after that my legs and arms cramp up very badly thats when i have to call it quits it also become hard to breathe, my question here is has anyone experienced these symptoms before or do you have an idea of what it could be?
September 27th, 2003 at 5:29 pm I think if you channel your interests into drugs and alcohol you will have just as good of a time, without all of the pain of gettin freaky
October 15th, 2003 at 6:24 pm As a 28 y/o F I can definatley attest to the fact that these are a real, and very true problem, and very frustrating. Probably the most frustrating thing have ever dealt with in all of my 28 years. Its not an excuse not to have sex as I have never said no to sex ever in my entire life!!! I’m way too stubborn and I would rather have an orgasm as I can never stop, it feels incredible and then it starts. Feels like my head is in a vice, only worse. Feels like a gunshot to the head, I tremble, shake, hyperventilate, cry, sweat, and get scared all at the same time and it keeps hurting about a 10 out of 10 on a pain scale. And it breaks a mans heart to see me feel so good and then go into hysterics in pain. Being an RN makes me even more scared and I know its not anything i’m causing or making up. As for the above comment, (Sept 27, 2003) drugs kill, alcohol nowhere takes the place of sex. If during a period of high stress an excellent reliever is either rubbing a few out yourself or making love to your significant other, its the best. But Those who have these cant even do that so its a never ending stress situation. Or on the other hand if you are alone and you cant sleep, masterbation again is recommended, that always works, if you want the worst migraine in the world. Some kind of cruel joke God is playing with me every couple of years. So there ya go, it’s something I would not even wish on my worst enemy.
November 28th, 2003 at 11:26 pm I have had two coital brain blasts in the past week. I’m a 47 year old male and the pain is comparable to passing a kidney stone (I passed two last year). The first time I thought a blood vessel in my brain exploded and that I would not make it. I’m searching the web now to find more information. Is there a site that explains this phenomenon?
January 17th, 2004 at 5:04 pm I always thought of sex in a releasing of tension also. But 3 month ago the whole thing started. After we, my husband and me had a good time …
January 20th, 2004 at 6:15 pm Question to anyone having these headaches, how sexually active, (sex, masturbation, etc) are you? Want to see whether frequency has anything to do with the onset of pain.
January 27th, 2004 at 11:19 am I’m not sure how active I am. I don’t know whats normal. I masturbate atleast 2 or 3 times a day and have sex atleast once a day. 2 weeks ago I started getting really bad headaches when I have an orgasim or right before. Tylenol doesn’t help. Does anyone know how to prevent or ease the pain with out taking away the importance of the day?
February 3rd, 2004 at 3:49 am Hi! Just back from the Hospital after the second ‘nuke’ exploded in my Brain in three days. Docs at A+E test = CT Scan and Lumber Punch, then proclaimed ‘Post Cotial Cephalgia’. God I was so relieved!! (watching the Doc come back into my cubical smiling! obviously nothing to worry about I told myself) I thought naturaly my days where comming to an end. However the pain from these headaches is way off the scale and their seems to be no magic cure. I was referred back to my G.P. for an appointment for a Neurologist. Hey im in the UK, should take about nine months for an appointment. Good old National Health. Mr Blair should suffer a few of them traumatic experiences. Will do some more looking and post the quick fix as one becomes available. I have used M.J. or cannabis with some degree of success, but not the ‘black’ resin stuff with plastic shit in it. Good luck.
February 16th, 2004 at 3:33 pm These headaches are generally called “coital migraine/cephalgia”. I had my first 18 months ago at exactly the point of orgasm. After a week or two the pain(s) went away. Now it’s come back. I was prescribed Pizotifen once per day which initially made me feel extremely dizzy so I took time off work, and then returned once I got over the medicine. I’ve taken it for a month now, and thought it was all over. I have my first orgasm and bang, it comes back all over again. As an earlier poster said, it easily offsets the pleasure and makes you want to avoid sex for good. I’m hoping the medicine or other treatments will show a way of conquer this, the pain is unreal, and very unfair on the timing.
February 18th, 2004 at 9:18 pm had this 8 months had no idea what was happening. I just saw a specialist and I am going for an MRI and MRA .I am a female 47 yrs. old I have never had migraines or headaches this stuff is extremely painful and very scary. I am so glad to have found all your comments tonight it makes me feel not so afraid of what my results will be now. Also not feeling like an alien…..THANKS>>>>
February 25th, 2004 at 4:58 pm Wow, I’m glad it’s not just me! I’m 29 f and this started a week and a half ago for me. The headache starts right at the point of orgasm and it is just wicked pain! For me it lasts a few hours but feels like my head is going to explode! Sex without orgasm is fine no headache. As for the question on the frequency of sex I’d say 2 to 3x a week. I really hope this stops because sex without orgasm is well you know!
March 2nd, 2004 at 11:09 pm Un-freakin-believable!!!! Mine started a week ago today. I’m a 40 y/o F, happily married, and thought I was passing an alien out the back of my skull! Right at climax, too. What is up with that! Anyway, lots of residual pain after the initial brain buster, the next night, didn’t even get to climax before it hit; night after that the hammer hit at the point of arousal. I was starting to figure something was wrong then. Went to a doc today who prescribed Inderal - take 1 hour before bedtime (or recreation time). Haven’t filled the scrip yet, Hope it works. It’s adding insult to injury, when the best cure is celibacy.
March 12th, 2004 at 7:43 am Can’t believe I found this discussion. I am 50, just started a physical relationship with a guy I’ve known for 12 years and who I think is the love of my life, only to have this happen during orgasm the first two times we had sex and then after that with masturbation. Big pain goes away in about 1/2 hour but I have dull pain the next day. He lives a few hours away and it will be a couple of weeks until I see him again. I didn’t let him know about the pain, which was excruciating. I thought I was having a stroke. Definitely like the worst migraine or hangover I’ve ever had, in the lower right rear of my head where my skull meets my neck, with shooting pains. My last migraine was in about 1984, so I’m not a common sufferer of headaches at all. I saw the doc and had a MRA two days ago and should get results Monday. Doc says it’s probably the coital headache with only a very slim chance of anything else, i.e. aneurysm or brain tumor. But he didn’t want to give me meds until he saw the scan. I’m pretty sure it will be OK, but this bums me out in a big way. I love this guy and don’t want anything to interfere with our happiness.
March 17th, 2004 at 2:12 am Yes i finally find im not alone. Im only 14, i have so much more to go and im already getting these god damn head aches. I’ve never been drunk before but i dont think it’ll be so bad after that ordeal. Its now 2 days after and ive still got a minor head ache. If anyone knows the science behind this please share, im not very keen on sharing with anyone i know.
March 17th, 2004 at 2:19 am http://headaches.about.com/cs/triggers/a/ha_orgasm.htm Check that out, some info on it.
March 18th, 2004 at 11:47 am I am a 47 year old female. I have suffered from these headaches for the last seven years. Only occasionally, until the last 2-3 years where it happens almost everytime. It happens both with my husband and alone. Sometimes, I can feel a tiny headache right before the orgasm but I am too into making love to stop. Most times no indicator at all. About half way through an orgasm, it feels like I have been shot about two inches above where my forehead hairline starts. The only thing I can do is grab my head and push with my hands. I have had all my children natural and no pain could compare. I pray that God would take my life right then. I can’t move or open my eyes. Slowly over the course of thirty minutes I can start to move and then it feels like a migrain for the next day or two. As the pain goes away the feeling in my head is replaced with a dull, kind of bruised like feeling. Yesterday it was so bad I went to the ER but could not stand to wait it hurt so badly. I have already had a CAT scan last year. I notice they are much worse when I use a vibrator. Much, much worse. Anyone else notice this? Yesterday my Doctor gave me Repax to take when I had the headache. Didn’t even make a dent. I tried a vicodan, but my stomach couldn’t take it. My Doctor is wonderful. He is going to check with a neurologist today so see what other meds to try. God bless anyone else who suffers from these headaches!
March 22nd, 2004 at 11:03 am I’ve been on Prozac for 3 weeks and now whenever i have sex I get a terrible headache right before i orgasm. It hurts so bad and it really sucks because I’m normally an extremely sexual person. Thankfully the Prozac hasn’t effected my libido but with the intense headaches I almost wish it look away my desire. If anyone else has this problem with the medicine, please let me know. Thanks Casey
April 12th, 2004 at 6:32 pm I just thought I would look up about this by chance and found there is actually a name for it and lots of other poor people are suffering from this. I am 45y female and have been sexually active for 25 years and never had this before. I have had migraines alot over the years but not from orgasms. I have just been with this man 3 times and each time is worse then the last and the headache lasts about 24 hrs. I am going to ask my doctor about it, but what have any of you found to help?
April 21st, 2004 at 9:20 pm i can’t believe how common this is….it really scared me the first time it happened …it carried on happening i had a headache for about 5 weeks in total, then it just went, now its back with just as much pain….gonna phone the docs tomoz and get it sorted now i know its not just me thx guys xx
April 27th, 2004 at 10:09 am I am almost 40 years old, femail and been married for 18 years and suffered this for the first time last night. Like everyone says, it’s the most excruciating pain I’ve ever felt and right at the point of orgasm. You are trying to stop the orgasm (after the hard work of getting it!) and holding your head crying, it hurts! I’ve recently been told my blood pressure is a little high and was worried this might be the cause of it. Tried again this morning but I kept thinking about the pain and couldn’t climax, will have to try again later
May 13th, 2004 at 4:41 pm I’m a 41 yo male, and I just had one of these painful experiences last night, the second time in a year. I’m normally sexually active (3-5 orgasms/week) and my wife and I have a great sex life. She had been out of town for a few weeks and I was really looking forward to her arrival. It was a total downer, when I was on the verge of climax, this thobbing pain enveloped my brain suddenly and I never did finish. At least my wife came several times. I’ve had kidney stones, and this was almost as painful. I just laid on the floor holding my head in agony for half an hour. I finally got up and took 4 ibuprofen, which didn’t help at all. Then I took one hydrocodone tablet (leftover from a previous prescription) and that seemed to numb it enough to get some sleep. I had a mild headache linger the rest of the next day - not enough for aspirin, but still there. I hadn’t had very much alcohol (3 drinks over several hours, which is average for me). One thing that was different is that I had a huge steak dinner that night, and I usually don’t eat that much meat in one sitting. I typically eat more grains, beans and veggies. I don’t know if that had anything to do with it. The other time I had one of these headaches was when I tried doing the Atkins diet, and this happened to me during the induction phase. I stopped doing Atkins at that point (which wasn’t working for me anyway) and the headaches stopped after that. So I wonder if nutrition has anything to do with these headaches.
May 18th, 2004 at 9:18 pm I am a 35 year old male and just started getting these about a week ago. I am in good health with slightly high blood pressure (that I believe is caused by working out with a friend who was a Navy Seal). I am married and am fairly active (3-5 times per week). Gesh. I never had so much pain as I did last night. Most of the pain is on the right side of my head. It felt like a freakin’ nuke went off in my head and has yet to dissapear completely. The timing was precise. It’s almost obvious it was related to the orgasm. For anyone who finds information on prevention besides abstinence — it would be greatly appreciated. I did hear Inderal was one of the preferred meds.