For some people with Migraines or cluster headaches, sexual activity can be a trigger or exacerbate the problem. On the other hand, a new study has shown that for a significant number of people with Migraines and cluster headaches, sexual activity can provide some relief, and even provide complete relief for some.

The study:

Study background:

"Headache associated with sexual activity is a well-known primary headache disorder. In contrast, some case reports in the literature suggest that sexual activity during a migraine or cluster headache attack might relieve the pain in at least some patients. We performed an observational study among patients of a tertiary headache clinic."¹

Study methods:

• A questionnaire was sent to 800 Migraine patients and 200 cluster headache patients, asking for experience with sexual activity during Migraine and cluster attacks and its impact on the Migraine or headache intensity.
• The survey was strictly and completely anonymous.
• For purposes of the survey, sexual activity was defined as "any sexual intercourse or masturbation with the aim of reaching an orgasm or orgasm-like feeling.
• The first question asked if the patients had any experience with sexual activity during Migraine or cluster attacks. If the answer to that question was, "Yes," patients were asked to complete sever additional questions asking about:
  • frequency of sexual activity during an attack,
  • improvement or worsening of attacks during attacks and it's reliability,
  • the necessity of experiencing orgasm to achieve attack improvement, and
  • the therapeutic use of sexual activity during attacks.
• Patients were also asked for:
  • age,
  • gender,
  • age at onset of Migraines or cluster headaches,
  • frequency of attacks,
  • length of attacks,
  • presence or aura, and
  • presence of other headache disorders.

Study results:

• Completed questionnaires were received from 402 patients:
  • 306 with Migraines
  • 96 with cluster headaches
• More patients with Migraine than with cluster reported an improvement with sexual activity:
  • 60.2% of Migraine patients and
  • 36.7 of cluster patients.
• Worsening of attacks was reported by:
  • 33% of the Migraine patients and
  • 50% of the cluster headache patients.
• Timing of Migraine relief:
  • 43.0% of the Migraine patients reported change shortly after the time of orgasm or maximal excitement. This broke down to 36.4% of male Migraineurs and 13.7% of female Migraineurs.
    
  • 17.7% of the Migraine patients reported change at the time of orgasm.
  • 20.3% of the Migraine patients reported relief at the beginning of sexual activity.
  • 20.3% of the Migraine patients reported relief within 30 minutes after orgasm or maximal excitement.
• Timing of cluster relief:
  • The findings in cluster patients were similar to those of Migraine, with 73.1% reporting change with or shortly after orgasm.
• The change in Migraine and cluster attacks was not linked to the type of sexual activity, when during the attack sexual activity occurred, or the position during sexual activity.
• No factor could be found to predict improvement of attacks with sexual activity.

Study conclusions: