Do you feel a sharp pain occasionally during certain intimate moments? Don't worry, you're not alone. For many, what feels like an abrupt agony striking their head just before, during, or right after having an orgasm is a real occurrence. This phenomenon is known as orgasm headaches, and surprisingly enough, it is more common than you think. Science helps us understand why orgasm headaches happen, but even more astounding is that research indicates they could actually be more beneficial than hazardous.
Orgasm headaches, medically referred to as Pleasure-Induced Headaches (PIH) are benign and are described as a deep throbbing, splitting, or knife-like pain felt on both sides of the head, with an intensity that can last 5 minutes to several hours, typically after climax. Interestingly, these headaches can be experienced in various intensities, and can even be different in order for some people.
According to specialists, orgasm headaches are linked to sudden surges of adrenaline and blood flow within your arteries. It's thought that these vascular changes, combined with contractions of the head and neck muscles, could trigger this pain. It's also possible that they happen due to being in a more aroused state for longer than usual.
What's interesting though, is that a few studies suggest orgasm headaches could even be beneficial. It's thought they may stimulate the release of endorphins, the ‘feel good’ hormones, which can help reduce stress and feelings of depression, while increasing one's overall happiness.
What's more, experts suggest that the pain associated with orgasm headaches can often be relieved through the same techniques we use for regular migraines, meaning that a dose of Ibuprofen or drinking some orange juice could help reduce its effects.
Interestingly, all in all, orgasms headaches can be seen as an alert system that helps us recognize when we're too aroused, so that we can take a couple of steps back and relax to avoid the pain. Plus, considering the fact that in many cases they could have helpful benefits, there's definitely little to worry about.
Are Orgasm Headaches Dangerous?
Although orgasm headaches can be uncomfortable, what's reassuring is that they are usually harmless and rarely signal any serious underlying health condition. Even though doctors have found a connection between PIH and stroke, this association is very rare and largely remains unknown. Most of the time, these disorders tend to go away on their own without the need for medical intervention or further tests.
What's more, although it can be worrying to experience any kind of pain during or after orgasms, it's important to remember that it's usually not an indication of a serious health problem, and in some cases, could even be beneficial.
How Can Orgasm Headaches be Prevented?
When it comes to avoiding orgasm headaches, there's no single sure-fire solution as it's still not entirely clear what triggers them. According to experts, however, there are a few things that one may do to avoid or reduce their risk of experiencing this disorder.
First of all, reducing stress and anxiety levels is key, as they are known to be a major influence when it comes to having headaches. Drinking plenty of water, doing regular exercise, getting enough sleep, meditating, and boosting our mental health all might help reduce the chances of having a PIH. Moreover, there are some techniques that can help us relax our muscles during sex which might help prevent the occurrence of such headaches.
Furthermore, some doctors suggest keeping a journal and recording the date, time, and intensity of your headaches. This can help you have a better understanding of your body and its reaction to certain activities, and determine what techniques are most effective at reducing the pain.
How is an Orgasm Headache Treated?
When it comes to dealing with an orgasm headache, the most advised treatment is simply a pain relief medication such as Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is an analgesic-anti-inflammatory that works on reducing the pain caused by the contractions of the muscles involved in orgasm.
Alternatively, doctors might advise a few other medications such as a triptan like Sumatriptan, which has been proven to be effective against regular migraines and their symptoms. Other medications that could help treat PIH include medicines used to prevent seizures, drugs used to treat menopausal headaches, and even some anti-depressants like Nortriptyline and Venlafaxine.
Go to the doctor if your orgasm headaches occur frequently, since they might suggest a few changes that can help prevent them, or if the pain is unbearable and multiple medications don't seem to help.
Can Exposure to Porn Increase the Risk of Orgasm Headaches?
Studies conducted in the past have revealed that watching pornography could be one of the potential triggers for orgasm headaches. While it’s still not clear what the relationship between the two is like, there are a few hypotheses that could explain it.
It's possible that by watching too much porn, our brains can become desensitized to sexual stimuli to an extent that can be overwhelming. It's also possible that frequent porn consumption can make our bodies become too accustomed to certain types of images, which could explain the headaches.
Although these hypotheses are still being studied, it can be safely assumed that reducing, or even better, completely avoiding exposure to porn can help prevent the occurrence of orgasm headaches. Furthermore, though it may take a while, it may be worth taking some time off and trying to scrub all the porn off your memory in order to experience something more real, more meaningful and more pleasurable.
Are Orgasm Headaches Worth the Risk?
That being said, one study suggests that the benefit of orgasm headaches outweighs the risks, as it could help reduce tension headaches, stress, and anxiety, while improving overall well-being and happiness. Since it is linked to the release of endorphins, which are known to be 'feel-good' hormones, could this come to mean that having sex and experiencing pleasure could, in fact, make us healthier?
Additionally, although the link between orgasm headaches and stroke is minimal, most doctors agree that these occurrences tend to be benign and do not always signal any serious underlying health condition. Plus, thanks to techniques similar to those used in regular migraines, they can often be easily relieved.
Historically, orgasm headaches were seen as a medical abnormality, but thanks to modern science, it now appears that they could have useful and beneficial effects. That being said, it's important not to underestimate the power of pleasure, as it may bring real health benefits while being an amazing source of joy and wellbeing.
