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What Causes Headache Post Intercourse?
Question: Following shower intimacy(immediately) some sort of episode. Severe headache unable to focus and needed assistance to sit down. No known conditions. 52 years old Male
Brief Answer:
Post coital headache, evaluation needed.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
From your description it looks like a case of what is called orgasmic headache, severe "explosive" headache occurring within seconds from the orgasm.
Sex related headaches are more common than what you might think. In the majority of the cases they are benign, but there are cases where they might be related to vascular problems such as a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to an aneurysm, dissection etc.
For that reason, especially when they are of this explosive type you seem to be describing, evaluation is needed. If the episode is recent, meaning inside 24-48 hours an evaluation in the ER with CT scan is recommended. If the doctor during his evaluation finds other suspicious signs like neck stiffness, then even if CT is normal a lumbar puncture to look for hemorrhage is recommended.
If episode not recent then an MRI/Angio MRI is preferred to look for vascular malformations like aneurysm.
If this evaluation excludes such causes (as is more often the case) then preventive treatment can be discussed. There are several options like Propranolol or Indomethacin used either prior to sexual activity or as a regular long term prophylaxis.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Post coital headache, evaluation needed.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
From your description it looks like a case of what is called orgasmic headache, severe "explosive" headache occurring within seconds from the orgasm.
Sex related headaches are more common than what you might think. In the majority of the cases they are benign, but there are cases where they might be related to vascular problems such as a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to an aneurysm, dissection etc.
For that reason, especially when they are of this explosive type you seem to be describing, evaluation is needed. If the episode is recent, meaning inside 24-48 hours an evaluation in the ER with CT scan is recommended. If the doctor during his evaluation finds other suspicious signs like neck stiffness, then even if CT is normal a lumbar puncture to look for hemorrhage is recommended.
If episode not recent then an MRI/Angio MRI is preferred to look for vascular malformations like aneurysm.
If this evaluation excludes such causes (as is more often the case) then preventive treatment can be discussed. There are several options like Propranolol or Indomethacin used either prior to sexual activity or as a regular long term prophylaxis.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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