[darrena]

Hi everyone. I was hoping someone else who may have experienced this could provide me with some info. I'm a 38 yr old male and have gotten the occasional "sex headache" once or twice a year for about 10 years now. Basically, while your doing your "business" your head starts to throb and gets to the point where you GOT to stop otherwise it feels like it's going to pop.
Very intense pain. Usually happens the day after having a few alcoholic drinks for some reason. Have always taken a few Advil and gone to bed and felt fine the next day. Well, I had a really bad sex headache about a month ago and though the intense pain went away within a few hours I have had a constant pain in the left side of my head ever since. Not so much a headache, but just a dull pain (like a tiny nail in my brain).
Sometimes it travels to my right temple and causes a slight pressure feeling in my ear/s. Can also feel like little electrical shocks on all parts of my head from time to time. Advil seems to help, but don't want to be taking it forever! Trying to limit to only once a day to prevent "rebound headaches" just in case that’s the cause.

I've been to the doctor and have already taken a CT scan, which came back clean, but took an MRA today and have an MRI scheduled for tomorrow. Assuming all the scans come back clean (hopefully) and there is no damage to any blood vessels etc, is there another possible reason for the lasting pain? Could it be muscular and will just subside over time? Anyone ever experience this? Any comments would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

[darrena]

Forgot to mention I ususlaly feel pretty good in the morning, but it gets worse in the afternoon/night.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by darrena

Could it be muscular and will just subside over time?

I spoze (I've had something similar with migraines), but we're not doctors here. It took finding a migraine specialist (not just a vanilla neurologist) to nail mine down and help me get a handle on them. I usually suggest others do the same -- find a guy/gal/clinic whose practice is limited solely to headaches -- they've usually put in the extra time on them and know more.

You used the correct term for them, so I'm guessing that's what your doctor told you or you've been researching them on your own(?) There's quite a bit of info on them (apparently there are several different types).

sex headaches in men

(See also the related searches at the bottom of the first page)

Doc

[darrena]

Well, the good news is the CT scan, MRI, and MRA all came back normal, so I guess I don't have anything URGENT that needs medical attention. The "bad" news is that I am still having daily headaches and I fear this is going to be an ongoing issue that the docs aren't going to be able to figure out. I'm going to ask my regular doc to recommend me to a neurologist, or preferably a headache specialist.

I can't imagine why a "sex headache" almost a month ago would trigger daily headaches?

[Dr. Smith]

I couldn't figure out why a headache that I got with a cold would remain for weeks after the cold went away, and then return daily/almost daily for years. In my case, one type of headache (I have a couple/three types) was due to reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus from having mono as a teen. The cold virus reactivated it, and it caused the headaches.

By an odd stroke of serendipity, my wife worked with a fellow who had the exact same DX. His finally went away after several years. Mine have decreased in frequency, but are not yet gone entirely.

Not suggesting you have the same thing, but the headache specialist recognized and DXed it with 3 questions (whereas the other neuros didn't have a clue). It blew me away.

There are hundreds of headache types & causes. The specialist may know, or at least can help you better treat them.

Doc

[darrena]

Originally Posted by Dr. Smith

I couldn't figure out why a headache that I got with a cold would remain for weeks after the cold went away, and then return daily/almost daily for years. In my case, one type of headache (I have a couple/three types) was due to reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus from having mono as a teen. The cold virus reactivated it, and it caused the headaches.

By an odd stroke of serendipity, my wife worked with a fellow who had the exact same DX. His finally went away after several years. Mine have decreased in frequency, but are not yet gone entirely.

Not suggesting you have the same thing, but the headache specialist recognized and DXed it with 3 questions (whereas the other neuros didn't have a clue). It blew me away.

There are hundreds of headache types & causes. The specialist may know, or at least can help you better treat them.

Doc

Thanks Doc!