Headaches are never fun, but they can be downright frustrating when they occur after sex. If you’re unfortunate enough to experience this symptom, you’re not alone. One survey showed that almost half of all people questioned reported experiencing headaches with sex activity with men being more commonly affected than women. What causes headaches after sex and what can you do about them?

In most cases, headaches after intercourse are benign. These headaches are very similar to the type of exertional headache some people experience with high impact exercise such as weight lifting or fast jogging. With both intense exercise and sexual activity, more blood flow is needed to meet the exertional demands of the body. This causes the blood vessels in the head to dilate which can bring on the symptom of a headache. Sex related headaches most commonly occur just prior to orgasm and may last anywhere from minutes to several hours. Some people experience headaches after intercourse regularly, while others experience this symptom only occasionally. These headaches are more common in people who have a history of migraine headaches.

Although most headaches after intercourse are not a serious sign, if a sex related headache is associated with a stiff neck, vomiting, disorientation, loss of consciousness, or is unusually severe, immediate medical attention is needed. These symptoms can be signs of a brain bleed due to an aneurysm or other blood vessel abnormality which can be life threatening. Aneurysms are more prone to rupture or bleed after sexual activity. In rare cases, headaches after intercourse can be a sign of a tumor or other brain pathology.

What can be done to prevent headaches after intercourse? It can be helpful to take a NSAID such as Ibuprofen prior to sexual activity. If this fails to solve the problem, your doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker medication if you experience headache after intercourse frequently. This type of medication helps to prevent the blood vessel changes during sex that bring on headache. Some medications used to treat erectile dysfunction such as Viagra can also bring on headache after sex.

Because headache after intercourse can occasionally be caused by undiagnosed aneurysms and other abnormalities of the blood vessels in the brain, it’s important to see your doctor for all new onset headaches or headaches that increase in frequency or intensity. Although in most cases no abnormality will be found, it can give you additional peace of mind. Don’t take any chances when it comes to your good health.