The Good News
In a journal article by Randolph W. Evans, M.D. and James R. Couch, M.D., Ph.D., the authors open by saying,
"Occasionally, orgasm can trigger a Migraine but, in others, can relieve a Migraine. Dr. Couch's data suggests that some women who decline, 'Not tonight, I have a headache,' may be avoiding an effective treatment."2
Study of Migraine relief with sexual intercourse in women was undertaken at the Headache Clinic at Southern Illinois University. For those who obtained relief through orgasm, the level of relief varied, but it is interesting to note that of those who obtained any relief, the largest subset is those who obtained complete relief. Of study participants:
- 47.4% had complete relief
- 48.5% had no relief, and
- for 4.1%, orgasm made their Migraine worse.2
In comparing the efficacy of orgasm to that of Migraine abortive medications, orgasm is significantly less effective than triptans or DHE, but when it is effective, the onset of relief is faster than with medications.
Dr. Evans and Dr. Couch conclude their journal article with this statement,
"The issue of suppression of headache by orgasm does bring up the possibility of suppression of one multi-faceted, presumably neural origin syndrome (Migraine) by another neural event (perception of sexual orgasm). Perhaps there are other situations in which an indigenous neural process might be used to suppress Migraine. Certainly there are some interesting theoretical possibilities here."
Interesting possibilities, indeed! Although this study did not include men, Dr. Evans and Dr. Couch report there is anecdotal information suggesting that relief with sexual orgasm may occur in men, including men suffering cluster headaches.
As with so many issues with headaches and Migraine, we find that there wasn't a single answer to our initial question, "Does the "Big O" cause or cure headaches and Migraine?" In searching for answers to the question, both good news and bad news are found, but even for those for whom orgasm sometimes causes headaches or triggers Migraines, there are avenues of prevention to be explored. Don't give up or be embarrassed to approach your doctor with the problem. The answer might be simpler than you think.
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References:
1 Saper, Joel R., Silberstein, Stephen, Gordon, C. David, Hamel, Robert L., Swidan, Sahar. Headache Management: A Practical Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment of Head, Neck, and Facial Pain, Second Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999, 241-242
2 Evans, Randolph W. & Couch, R. (2001). "Orgasm and Migraine." Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 111 (6), 512-514.
© Teri Robert, 2007.
Last updated July 10, 2007.
