Sex Headaches (PHASA): Causes, Types, Remedies, and Prevention Tips

Sex headaches, clinically referred to as primary headache associated with sexual activity (PHASA) are a rare, but genuine phenomenon. They happen during sexual activity, which often peaks at orgasm, and can be from mild discomfort to a severe, debilitating pain. They affect only 1-2% of the population but are more common in men than women. There are two types of this headaches:

• Type 1: A dull, building headache that begins during foreplay and can last up to 15 minutes.
• Type 2: A sudden, sharp headache that hits during orgasm and can persist for hours.

If so, you’re not alone. So let’s take a closer look at what’s behind these headaches and how to cope with them.

What Causes Sex Headaches?

Multiple physical factors can lead to sex headaches, including:

Muscle Tensing: Strong muscle contractions in the head, neck, and shoulders during intercourse may also give rise to tension-type headaches.

Vascular changes: Sudden swings in blood pressure and spasms of blood vessels — as in migraines — are a frequent culprit.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Leak: Rarely, vigorous sexual activity can result in a tiny tear in the brain’s lining, leading to a CSF leak and positional headaches.

Such is the function of effective treatment and prevention, but it is vital to understand the root cause.

When to Get Care?

Though most sex headaches are harmless, they can sometimes be a sign of underlying health problems such as aneurysms, blood vessel disorders or brain lesions. Seek medical attention right away if:

The headache is the worst you’ve ever felt.

You pass out or develop neurological symptoms.

The pain lasts for hours or days.

Physicians might order neurovascular imaging — an MRI or an MRA — to exclude worse things.

Natural Methods for Maintaining a Sex Headache-Free Sex Life

If your headaches aren’t tied to a serious medical condition, try these natural home remedies:

Increase Nitric Oxide: Embark on a diet or take supplements to multiply the production of nitric oxide.

Magnesium supplements: Magnesium glycinate or taurate induce muscles relaxation and spasms prevention.Promoting herbal, nutritional, hormonal, and dietary supplementation strategies.

Peppermint Oil – You can apply peppermint oil to the places that are tensed, this will instantly relieve from headache.

Vitamin B6: This vitamin helps dilate blood vessels and prevent blood vessel spasms.

Celery Juice: Celery has also been found to lower stress hormone surges, which can cause headaches during orgasm.

These solutions to intimacy do invite the possibility of pain though.

Lifestyle Change and Prevention Info

Some practical advice to lower the chances of sex headaches includes:

• Relax Your Muscles: Use neck, scalp and shoulder relaxation techniques before and after sex.
• Keep Drinking: Dehydration can aggravate headaches, so make sure to stay well hydrated.
• Don’t Overexert Yourself: Take breaks during heavy-training sessions, including sex.
• Here are 5 easy strategies that you can implement: Manage Stress: High stress levels can also increase the chances of having a headache.

Conclusion

Sex headaches, while atypical, can be a disturbing phenomenon. Learning about the causes and solutions of such conditions can help prevent them and allow for a pain-free intimate life with the help of natural remedies. If you or your partner have intense or long-lasting headaches, speaking to a health care provider can help rule out other conditions. Intimacy should be fun, not painful!