Beyond Penis Health: Understanding Sex Headaches

For most men, the aftermath of sexual activity is at least a few minutes of physical relaxation. They might lie in bed with a smile before they drift off into dreamland. But for some, the aftermath of any sort of sexual activity is severe head pain. Even with the best penis care and attention to overall health, sex headaches can appear out of the blue and wreak havoc on a man’s life. Here’s what he needs to know about this fortunately rare problem.

What are sex headaches?
 
Sex headaches are exactly what they sound like: Headaches that occur during or right after sexual activity. For some people, the headaches appear as soon as they become aroused, which means the headache might actually begin before any sexual activity has taken place. For others, it happens during, in the heat of the moment. For others, everything is fine until the orgasm is over, and then the sex headache hits with a vengeance.

For some men, it’s an annoying problem that can be remedied with an over-the-counter pain reliever. But for others, it’s a serious problem that can bring them to their knees - literally and figuratively.

What causes sex headaches?
 
As with most sexual mysteries, doctors aren’t sure what causes the pain of sex headaches. Some believe the pain is tied to increased intracranial pressure, which can occur as blood pressure and heart rate rise - both things that tend to happen during sex. Intense muscle contractions throughout the body might also be the culprit, especially if the pain happens at the moment of orgasm or shortly after it.
Doctors do know that the problem is three times more likely in men than in women. People who have a history of migraines are also more likely to have a sex headache.

What can a man do?
 
In most cases, a sex headache is mild and will quickly go away. In fact, some men will develop a headache for a few minutes, and it will subside very quickly after the initial burst of pain. In other cases, the headache will linger but can be treated with an over-the-counter medication.

Some unfortunate souls will experience a debilitating headache that makes it impossible for them to continue with sexual activity, or most other activities, for that matter. Headaches that are truly debilitating or intensely painful might even keep a man from pursuing sexual activity of any kind, thanks to the pain that will come along with it.

In this case, it’s important to visit a physician who specializes in migraines. The doctor will likely want to run a few tests to make sure there are no problems with the blood vessels in the brain, or the blood flow through the body. Assuming all is well on that front, a man with sex headaches might be prescribed heavy-duty medicine that tempers the pain or prevents it altogether.

There is one important rule to remember: A man who suffers a sudden, intense pain during or after sexual activity, and he has never had that pain before, should consult with the doctor as soon as possible. If the sudden pain is the worst pain he has ever felt, he should call for an ambulance. That’s because in some very rare cases, the problem is not a sex headache, but rather, an issue with the blood vessels in the brain.

Strive for the best penis health
 
Though a man who suffers from sex headaches might not be able to do much to avoid the problem, he should focus on the things he certainly can control. One of those is good penis health. The use of a top-notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can help ensure that his penis is ready for action at all times. For the best of health, a man should look for a crème that contains a multitude of vitamins and nutrients, as well as vitamin E and a Shea butter base - these high-end ingredients are known for keeping skin smooth and supple.

Sex Headaches – What they Mean and What to Do

For most people, sex is an important part of overall mental and physical well-being. This stress-relieving, pleasure-inducing, partner-bonding activity ticks a lot of boxes in the quality of life department. For men in particular, frequent penis play, either with a partner or with oneself, is healthy. When the penis is erect, it is pumped full of fresh blood; the nutrients and oxygen in the blood help keep penis tissues nourished and strong. Regular use can lead to stronger performance function that is maintained as men age, which means regular gratification is a vital component of long-term penis health. For some men, however, something gets in the way of their ability to fully enjoy erections and orgasms: headache associated with sexual activity (HASA). Sex headaches are believed to affect more people than report them to doctors; currently, about 1% of the population reports suffering from HASA.

What kinds are there?
There are generally three types of headaches associated with sexual activity, manifesting in the following ways:
1) A pressure headache on both sides of the head that increases in intensity with the person’s sexual arousal level
2) Headache that occurs after sex once the person stands up. This type is believed to be caused by cerebrospinal fluid leakage (which sounds scarier than it is)
3) A headache that occurs just before or at the time of orgasm that is explosive and throbbing

Should men be concerned?
 
In general, men should be concerned with anything that interferes with their sex lives. However, many cases of HASA are not a sign of some alarming physical problem that requires emergency attention.

That said, men who experience the third type of headache above - explosive, throbbing and timed just before or along with orgasm - have cause for concern. This type of headache can indicate aneurysm, stroke, a hemorrhage or another serious issue that mandates immediate medical attention. The presence of this type of headache doesn’t mean that men definitely have a severe condition, but it needs to be ruled out.

All men with HASAs, no matter how they manifest, would do well to take preventive measures so that their sex lives and relationships - as well as their penile health - don’t suffer.

How are HASAs prevented?
It may seem that the most obvious and effective - and unpleasant - prevention method for headaches associated with sex would be to abstain from intercourse. Men will be very comforted to know that the American Headache Association actually recommends more frequent, less strenuous sexual activity. Men may find that having their partners on top and doing more of the physical work, or simply trying out slower, more sensual pacing, help to relieve the intensity or frequency of HASAs.

Some people take medication for the prevention of sex headaches. There are three types of medication generally prescribed:
- Triptans
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
- Beta-blockers

There are drawbacks to the pharmaceutical method of prevention. The first problem with these medications is that they come with side effects, particularly when used for a prolonged period of time or at high doses. Bet-blockers need to be taken daily, and can cause a number of side effects including fatigue, muscle cramps and blurred vision. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can cause gastrointestinal bleeding and increased cardiovascular risks if used heavily. Triptans are associated with muscle cramps, nausea and dizziness.

Since beta-blockers need to be taken daily, they should be reserved only for the most severe cases of HASA. While the other medications are used on an as-needed basis, this has its own drawback: They need to be taken about an hour before sexual activity. Unless men and their partners stick to a rigid schedule and rule out spontaneity, this might not be the most helpful solution. Natural measures, like modifying sexual activity, are generally preferable.

While some people enjoy pain mixed with pleasure, most people with HASAs aren’t likely reveling in the experience. Headaches aren’t the only thing that can reduce sexual enjoyment, and the cranium isn’t the only head men need to take care of. Dry, inelastic penis skin can be painful both during and after sex. It’s important for men to keep penis skin heathy, hydrated and flexible. Use of a penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can be a great help to men with skin difficulties in the downstairs region. A high-end emollient like Shea butter should be included in the cream, along with other skin-supporting ingredients like vitamins E and C.