While sudden head pain during or after sex isn't uncommon, you may want to seek medical attention—though rare, it could be serious.
Have a Headache After Sex? Here’s What Can Cause This Bedroom Buzzkill
Published on Apr. 11, 2025
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Sex can be a powerful pain reliever, especially for people with migraines. But for some, it has the opposite effect—causing a pounding headache right at the moment of climax. Known by its medical name coital cephalalgia, a headache after sex is usually harmless but can sometimes signal something more serious.
Ahead, we share what you should know about sex-related headaches, including symptoms, causes, prevention, and when to seek emergency care.
Sex can cause headaches or relieve them
According to the Cleveland Clinic, sex-induced headaches are considered a type of exertion headache, meaning they’re triggered by sudden or intense physical activity—much like the kind brought on by vigorous exercise, coughing, or straining. While most are benign, they can resemble symptoms of medical emergencies, which is why proper evaluation is so important.
“Sexual headaches are not uncommon, though many people are hesitant to talk about them,” says Nestor Galvez-Jimenez, MD, a board-certified neurologist via the Clinic’s Health Essentials blog. He adds, “We see these more often than you might think, both in our practice and in the emergency room.”
Sex can also help relieve headaches for some people. In a 2013 study, German researchers surveyed 1,000 patients diagnosed with either migraine or cluster headaches. They found that around 60% of people with migraines reported an improvement in their headache symptoms during sex. Among those, more than one-third of men and nearly 14% of women said they regularly used sexual activity as a therapeutic tool.
Types of sex headaches
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are two primary types of sex headaches and some people may experience a combination of both:
- A dull ache in the head and neck that gradually intensifies as sexual excitement builds
- A sudden, intense headache, sometimes described as a “thunderclap” headache, that strikes just before or at the moment of orgasm
Symptoms of a headache after sex
Sex headaches can vary in presentation, but the most common symptoms include:
- Sudden or gradually increasing head pain during or after sex
- Throbbing, intense pain—especially at the back of the head or behind the eyes
- Neck stiffness or tightness
- Nausea or vomiting (less common)
Most episodes last several minutes, though some may linger for hours or even a couple of days.
The Mayo Clinic states that these headaches often come in clusters—occurring over several months and then disappearing for a year or more. Some people may only experience a single episode in their lifetime.
“The headache itself usually isn’t dangerous, though the pain can be extreme,” says Dr. Galvez-Jimenez. That said, a sudden, severe headache could indicate a subarachnoid hemorrhage, a rare but life-threatening condition involving bleeding around the brain. “Especially the first time you get a severe sexual headache, you need to see your provider right away or go to the emergency room to rule out serious causes,” he advises.
What causes sex headaches?
There’s no single cause, but several factors may play a role:
- Increased blood pressure during orgasm
- Tightening of neck and scalp muscles during sex
- Spikes in intracranial pressure from physical exertion
- Migraines or a history of exertion-triggered headaches
- Use of medications that affect blood vessels
- Rare conditions like aneurysms, arterial tears, or brain bleeds
Who’s at risk for a headache after sex?
Anyone can get a headache after sex, but some factors may raise your risk:
- Being male (sex headaches occur more often in men)
- History of migraines or exertional headaches
- High blood pressure
- Stress, anxiety, or poor sleep
How to prevent a headache after sex
If you’ve had a sex headache once, it’s natural to worry it might happen again. The good news? There are steps you can take to reduce your risk:
- Take it slow: Gradual arousal and avoiding sudden intensity may help prevent pressure spikes.
- Avoid sex when fatigued or dehydrated.
- Treat underlying conditions, like high blood pressure or sleep disorders.
- Ask your doctor about pre-treatment: Some physicians recommend taking an NSAID like indomethacin or an anti-migraine medication (triptans) 30–60 minutes before sex.
- Consider daily medications: For frequent cases, beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers can be prescribed preventively.
When to see a doctor
Even if you suspect your sex headache is harmless, it’s essential to talk with your doctor, especially if it was sudden, severe, or your first time experiencing it.
Seek emergency care if you notice any of the following:
- A sudden “thunderclap” headache that peaks within seconds
- Loss of consciousness or confusion
- Vomiting, stiff neck, or visual disturbances
- Weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking
Your doctor may recommend tests like a CT scan, MRI, or spinal tap to rule out a brain bleed or other serious cause. Once secondary causes are ruled out, the diagnosis of a primary sex headache can be made and a treatment plan can be put in place.
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