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The second type is a vascular headache. It is a very intense, severe headache usually occurring just before orgasm. It has been called an "orgasmic headache" or "orgasmic cephalalgia." In some instances, the headache is a response to an increase in blood pressure, causing the blood vessels to dilate.

This headache is not usually related to the amount of physical exertion involved in intercourse. The pain may be located around or behind the eyes. It usually lasts a few minutes, but can last for hours and is usually made worse by movement. The headache most often is a "benign" (not dangerous) orgasmic headache; however, the possibility of organic disease should be thoroughly investigated. The benign orgasmic headache occurs more frequently in men than women and usually strikes migraine sufferers.

Have it checked out
It is quite normal for the blood pressure to rise transiently with sex, and for it to return to normal in about five minutes.

Still, it is important, to have a thorough medical check-up, including a neurological investigation, to exclude the possibility of brain pathology. Fortunately this is not common, but it must be ruled out before any other treatment is prescribed.

Once this has been done, one needs a multidisciplinary approach in order to get to the root of the problem. There are many different structures in the head and neck, all of which can be involved in the headache process.

No single specialist has all the knowledge necessary to make a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis. For this reason, the combined expertise of different specialists who would normally treat headache patients in isolation, is co-ordinated into a single, more comprehensive body of knowledge. This enables a more comprehensive treatment plan, in which all the contributing factors are addressed.

This information has been supplied and checked by the multidisciplinary team of specialists at The Headache Clinic, in association with The International Headache Society and the South African Institute of Headache and Migraine Science. For consultation with these specialists, call The Headache Clinic on 0861 678 911.
 

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