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Sex Headache: Dealing With Head Pain Before, During Or After Sex

It can happen during orgasms or before.
Beijing,China
BJI / Lane Oatey via Getty Images
Beijing,China

You might pass on sex because of a headache, but have you heard of sex causing one? It’s not commonly known, but it is possible.

Sexual headaches are headaches that occur when you have sex: before or during, just after, or when you orgasm. The pain can vary from dull to sharp, though it’s generally felt in the back of the head or on one side. And understandably, they can be a terrible thing to experience during a pleasurable time.

"The largest study on sex and headaches thus far has been through Germany's University of Munster,” says sex therapist Vanessa Marin. “Sixty per cent of migraine sufferers reported that sex alleviated their headaches, while 33 per cent reported that the orgasm had worsened their headache."

And while more research needs to be done on sexual headaches in general, understanding what one feels like can be the best way to get help. From what causes them to how to prevent them, here's how you can enjoy your bedroom time pain-free.

What Else Are They Called?

12 Facts About Sexual Headaches

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