Headache Associated With Sexual Activity Research Articles

Update on headaches associated with physical exertion.

Headaches associated with physical exertion include headache precipitated by coughing or other Valsalva maneuvers, headache brought on by prolonged physical exercise, sexual headaches and cardiac cephalalgia. To review and update the clinical characteristics, etiologies, pathophysiology and management of these headaches related to exertion. In depth review of the publications, both in PubMed and in the main textbooks, of the different headaches induced by physical exercise. Cough, exercise and sexual headaches can be primary or secondary; therefore, complementary studies are mandatory to rule out structural lesions. However, clinical characteristics, such as an old age and response to indomethacin for cough headache or being a young male and response to beta-blockers for exercise and sexual headaches, plus a normal examination are suggestive of a primary etiology. Etiology for secondary varieties, as posterior fossa lesions for cough headache or vascular malformations for exercise and sexual headaches, are also different. Finally, headache as a distant manifestation of myocardial ischemia, also known as "cardiac cephalalgia", appears at exertion in around two-thirds of cases and typically lasts less than 30 minutes and is relieved by nitroglycerine. Primary and secondary cough headache can usually be suspected based on clinical characteristics and separated from exercise and sexual headaches, which share many aspects. Cardiac cephalalgia is not necessarily an exertional headache and should be considered in adult patients with short lasting headaches and patent vascular risk factors.

Update on primary headache associated with sexual activity and primary thunderclap headache.

This narrative review aims to provide an update on primary headache associated with sexual activity and primary thunderclap headache. We conducted a literature search on PubMed with the keywords "headache associated with sexual activity", "sexual headache", "orgasmic cephalalgia", and "coital cephalalgia" in addition to "thunderclap headache" to assess the appropriateness of all published articles in this review. Primary headache associated with sexual activity is a "primary" headache precipitated by sexual activity, which occurs as sexual excitement increases (progressive at onset), or manifests as an abrupt and intense headache upon orgasm (thunderclap at onset) or combines these above two features. Primary headache associated with sexual activity is diagnosed after a thorough investigation, including appropriate neuroimaging studies, to exclude life-threatening secondary causes such as subarachnoid hemorrhage. According to the criteria of the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders, primary thunderclap headache is also a diagnosis by exclusion. The pathophysiology of primary headache associated with sexual activity and primary thunderclap headache remains incompletely understood. Treatment may not be necessary for all patients since some patients with primary headache associated with sexual activity and primary thunderclap headache have a self-limiting course. A comprehensive neuroimaging study is needed for distinguishing primary headache associated with sexual activity or primary thunderclap headache from secondary causes. Primary headache associated with sexual activity and primary thunderclap headache are self-limited diseases and the prognoses are good, but some patients with primary headache associated with sexual activity may have a prolonged course.

Psychometric evaluation of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8 among women with chronic non-cancer pelvic pain

Psychiatric comorbidity and abusive experiences in chronic pelvic pain (CPP) conditions may prolong disease course. This study investigated the psychometrics of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8 (DASS-8) among women with CPP (N = 214, mean age = 33.3 ± 12.4 years). The DASS-8 expressed excellent fit, invariance across age groups and menopausal status, good know-group validity (differentiating women with psychiatric comorbidity from those without comorbidity: U = 2018.0, p = 0.001), discriminant validity (HTMT ratios < 0.85), excellent reliability (alpha = 0.90), adequate predictive and convergent validity indicated by strong correlation with the DASS-21 (r = 0.94) and high values of item-total correlations (r = 0.884 to 0.893). In two-step cluster analysis, the DASS-8 classified women into low- and high-distress clusters (n = 141 and 73), with significantly higher levels of distress, pain severity and duration, and physical symptoms in cluster 2. The DASS-8 positively correlated with pain severity/duration, subjective symptoms of depression/anxiety, experiences of sexual assault, fatigue, headache severity, and collateral physical symptoms (e.g., dizziness, bloating, fatigue etc.) at the same level expressed by the parent scale and the DASS-12, or even greater. Accordingly, distress may represent a target for early identification of psychiatric comorbidity, CPP severity, experiences of sexual assault, and collateral physical complaints. Therefore, the DASS-8 is a useful brief measure, which may detect mental distress symptoms among women with CPP.

Headache Associated with Sexual Activity-A Narrative Review of Literature.

Headache associated with sexual activity (HAWSA) has accompanied humanity since ancient times. However, it is only since the 1970s that it has become the subject of more extensive and detailed scientific interest. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the development of the concept of HAWSA, its clinical presentation, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment especially from the research perspective of the last 20 years. Primary HAWSA is a benign condition, whose etiology is unknown; however, at the first occurrence of headache associated with sexual activity, it is necessary to exclude conditions that are usually immediately life-threatening. Migraine, hypnic headache or hemicrania continua have been reported to co-occur with HAWSA, but their common pathophysiologic basis is still unknown. Recent advances in the treatment of HAWSA include the introduction of topiramate, progesterone, and treatments such as greater occipital nerve injection, arterial embolization, and manual therapy. Whether these new therapeutic options will stand the test of time remains to be seen.

Indomethacin-responsive headaches-A narrative review.

Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug whose mechanism of action in certain types of headache disorders remains unknown. The so-called indomethacin-responsive headache disorders consist of a group of conditions with a very different presentation that have a particularly good response to indomethacin. The response is so distinct as to be used in the definition of two: hemicrania continua and paroxysmal hemicrania. This is a narrative literature review. PubMed and the Cochrane databases were used for the literature search. We review the main pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics properties of indomethacin useful for daily practice. The proposed mechanisms of action of indomethacin in the responsive headache disorders, including its effect on cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure, with special attention to nitrergic mechanisms, are covered. The current evidence for its use in primary headache disorders, such as some trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, cough, hypnic, exertional or sexual headache, and migraine will be covered, as well as its indication for secondary headaches, such as those of posttraumatic origin. Increasing understanding of the mechanism(s) of action of indomethacin will enhance our understanding of the complex pathophysiology that might be shared by indomethacin-sensitive headache disorders.

Acute Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Haemorrhage following Coital Headache successfully treated with Endovascular Flow Diversion

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Headache associated with sexual activity is a difficult diagnosis for physicians and sometimes underlies grave etiologies. One such cause associated with high morbidity and mortality is subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysm rupture.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; This is a case of a 39 year old male, presenting with coital headache for few episodes. CT showed subarachnoid hemorrhage, Fischer Grade 3.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; Digital subtraction angiography revealed Right Internal carotid artery very small aneurysm which was endovascularly managed with FRED (flow-redirection endoluminal device, Microvention, Aliso Viejo, California, USA) flow diverter placement across the aneurysm. Follow up revealed complete resolution of aneurysm with no residual clinical symptoms. The following case reveals the importance of identifying sexual headache as a presenting symptom of grave etiology like aneurysmal rupture and its early diagnosis and management to avoid mortality.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Other primary headaches\u2014thunderclap-, cough-, exertional-, and sexual headache

This article reviews the disorders of thunderclap, cough, exertional and sexual headache. These are a group of paroxysmal and precipitated headaches, which often occur in bouts with prolonged remissions. Indometacin seems to be the most effective preventative. Each can occur in primary and secondary form. Thunderclap headache is the most frequently reported headache syndrome associated with a secondary pathology. Discussed are the complexities of whether all patients with thunderclap headache should have further investigation if timely computerised tomography is normal and, the relevance of abnormal imaging in these disorders, differentiating what is deemed to be secondary and managing the pain.

Primary headache associated with sexual activity

Пацієнт, 48 років, звернувся зі скаргами на приступи інтенсивного головного болю, що виникає під час оргазму. Уперше такий приступ виник за 13 днів до консультації під час статевого акту з новою партнеркою, який супроводжувався значним сексуальним збудженням. Напад повторився через 3 дні під час наступного статевого акту і ще за 6 днів після другого. Відчуття болю з’являється в лівій потиличній ділянці голови, інтенсивність зростає протягом 3 секунд, допоки не виникає надзвичайно сильний біль (VAS 8–9), який при розпитуванні пацієнт характеризує як найсильніший у житті («наче лусне голова»). Біль локалізується в лівій потилично-скроневій ділянці з відчуттям «тиску на очі». Інтенсивний біль тривав 1,5–2 хвилини, потім його вираженість зменшувалася до VAS 3, і такий остаточний біль зберігався до 1,5 години. На початку на-паду пацієнт приймав 2 таблетки спазмалгону (метамізол натрію моногідрат, пітофенону гідрохлорид, фенпіверинію бромід).Головний біль не супроводжується нудотою, фото- й фонофобією. Також немає вегетативних проявів, характерних для тригемінальних вегетативних цефалгій (ін’єкція кон’юнктиви та/або сльозотеча, закладення носа та/або ринорея, набряк повік, потіння лоба та обличчя, почервоніння лоба та обличчя, відчуття закладення вуха, міоз та/або птоз).Під час третього нападу пацієнт, відчувши «пульсацію в голові», зменшив активність і рівень збудження, внаслідок чого біль не сягнув вище рівня VAS 4 і згодом припинився. Пацієнт зазначає, що замолоду мав один епізод головного болю (не пов’язаного з сексуальною активністю), що тривав кілька днів. Із 35-річного віку з’явилися головні болі тієї ж локалізації (ліва потилично-скронева ділянка), тупі, низької інтенсивності (VAS 3), які виникають при фізичних навантаженнях, особливо пов’язаних із нахилами («качання черевного преса» – не більше 15 нахилів, робота на городі – сапання).При нападах інтенсивного головного болю, що настають вибухоподібно, у тому числі при першому нападі головного болю, пов’язаного з сексуальною активністю, завжди слід виключати такі види патології, як субарахноїдальний крововилив, внутрішньочерепна й екстракраніальна артеріальна дисекція та синдром оборотної мозкової вазоконстрикції – reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). Ми призначили мультиспіральну комп’ютерну томографію (МСКТ) черепа й головного мозку з МСКТ-ангіографією, яка не виявила патологічних змін.

HP-07-003 Sexual Functioning and Menstrual Pattern Migraine: Pilot Study on Effects of Hormonal Interventions during Menopause Transition

Hormonal management for menstrual pattern migraines is suggested when headaches are refractory to regular migraine treatments. Attenuating luteal phase estrogen drop prevents menstrual/menstrual related migraines (MM/MRM). Concerns about adverse effects on headaches, weight and sexual function limit acceptance of hormonal interventions. Female migraineurs transitioning through menopause experience worsening of migraines. Improvement of sexual function especially pain has been demonstrated in peri- and early postmenopausal women using estrogen therapy but studies in migraineurs are lacking. To evaluate estrogen therapy effects on sexual functioning and headache in women with MM/MRM transitioning through menopause. Sexual functioning of 28 women with MM/MRM, aged average 49years referred to the gynecologist were assessed using the Dutch Questionnaire for Screening of Sexual Dysfunction (QSSD). Impact of headaches was evaluated by Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), symptoms of depression studied with CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression) and Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS) screened menopausal symptoms. Effects of 3 months continuous estrogen therapy were compared with 29 age-matched controls without migraine. Differences stated were statistically significant at p<0.05.

Sexual Behavior, Function and Satisfaction in Headache Associated with Sexual Activity: A Systematic Review of Literature

Introduction: Headache associated with sexual activity (HSA) is the painful event of head and neck precipitated only by sexual activity. The negative impact of sexuality is expected to be more severe in HSA patients and their partners than other headache disorder. In addition, social and cultural taboo may conceal sexual problem or hinder seeking counseling for sexual perplexity. A sufficient scientific evidence is therefore needed to clarify the misunderstanding and schedule appropriate education in clinical practice. Methods: A systematic review of literature was completed to elucidate the sexual behavior, function and satisfaction in HSA patients and their partners. Results: A total of 97 publications are eligible after careful screening. However, most of the studies focus on the etiopathogenesis or treatment. Sexual change was mentioned in 23 publications. Orgasmic headache is the most frequent type of HSA. The HSA occurs more frequent in dyadic than extradyadic sexual activity. Intercourse is the leading sexual act for HSA occurrence, following by masturbation. A few patients suffer HSA under specific sexual position, like kneeling, and trigger, such as cannabis. Pain can be rapidly ceased in half of patients when sexual activity was halted. Sexual function and sexual satisfaction may decrease in HSA patient and partner but improve after pain reversal. Conclusions: A shortage of sexuality data of HSA is documented in literature but that still clarifies the extradyadic and masturbatory effect on HSA occurrence. Nevertheless, HSA disturbs sexual function and satisfaction in patients and their partners. The pathogenesis of pain includes two components, the hypersympathetic status and exertional action. Therefore, physician can schedule their education and counseling for HSA according to these findings. Further investigation for sexual function and satisfaction is warranted.

Surgical treatment for male prolactinoma: A retrospective study of 184 cases.

A total of 184 cases of surgically treated male prolactinoma were analyzed retrospectively to summarize the outcome of this surgical intervention. We analyzed the general characteristics, clinical manifestations, hormone levels, imaging features, preoperative treatments, surgical outcomes, pathology results, and follow-up records for all included patients. The most common clinical manifestations included sexual dysfunction (47.4%), headache (55.9%), and visual disturbance (46.7%). Serum prolactin levels ranged from 150 to 204,952 ng/mL. Tumor size varied from 6 to 70 mm. Pituitary adenomas grew in a parasellar pattern with visual deficits occurring 40.7% of the time. After surgical therapy, 88.6% of patients achieved symptom relief, and 98.4% experienced an immediate postoperative decline in prolactin level. Fifty-seven patients (31.0%) achieved initial remission, and 26 patients (45.6%) experienced recurrence. Hence, our results suggest that in male prolactinoma characterized by a large pituitary diameter and high serum prolactin level, tumor size predicts the degree of gross resection. The prognostic predictors included preoperative tumor growth pattern and Ki-67 index.Citation: Yi-jun S, Mei-ting C, Wei L, Bing X, Yong Y, Ming F, Ren-zhi W. (2016) Surgical treatment for male prolactinoma: a retrospective study of 184 cases

Sexual headache from view point of Avicenna and traditional Persian medicine.

One of the best remaining manuscripts is the "Canon of Medicine" fathered by Avicenna in the Islamic Golden Age [ninth to twelfth century AD]. Considering Avicenna's role in the development of medical science in the Islamic Golden Age, we reviewed Avicenna's point of view on sexual headache based on his famous book "Canon of Medicine". This historical review discusses the clinical approaches applied to diagnose, classify, and treat sexual headache-specifically herbal therapy-from the viewpoint of Avicenna and Traditional Persian Medicine. The accurate observations of Avicenna give a comprehensive classified etiology of the sexual headache. The efficacy of some medicinal herbs used by him for sexual headache treatments, such as the analgesic effect of lavender, chamomile, and jasmine has been proved by current medicine; however, the knowledge of medieval physicians should be scientifically investigated even further to extend new remedial options for sexual headache.

Analysis of curative effect of surgical therapy for male prolactinoma

To summarize the treatment outcome of surgery for male prolactinoma. One hundred and eighty-four cases of male prolactinoma who underwent surgery were analyzed retrospectively.The average age of patients was 36.3 years, and the mean course was 41.9 months.The main clinical manifestation included sexual dysfunction (47.4%), headache (55.9%) and visual disturbance (46.7%). The serum prolactin levels ranged from 6.83 to 9 325.32 nmol/L.The size of tumors varied from 6 mm to 70 mm.Suprasellar adenoma with visual deficits accounted for 40.7%. 98.9% patients underwent pituitary adenoma resection via single nasal transsphenoidal approach. Postoperative pathological Ki-67 index of most patients (45.1%) were less than 1%.After surgical therapy, 163 patients (88.6%) got relief of symptoms, 57 patients (31.0%) achieved initial remission, and 26 patients (45.6%) unfortunately recurred. The possibility of gross resection decreased as tumor size increased (P<0.05). Preoperative PRL had no significant relation with both tumor size and extent of resection (P>0.05). The favorable prognosis predictive factors included microadenoma, intrasellar adenoma and Ki-67 index≤3 (P<0.01). Male prolactinomas is an invasive tumor with higher serum prolactin level.Tumor size could predict degree of gross resection while predictors for recurrence include tumor size, growth pattern and Ki-67 index.

Indomethacin-responsive headaches.

Indomethacin-responsive headaches are a heterogeneous group of primary headache disorders distinguished by their swift and often absolute response to indomethacin. The epidemiology of these conditions is incompletely defined. Traditionally, indomethacin-responsive headaches include a subset of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias (paroxysmal hemicrania and hemicrania continua), Valsalva-induced headaches (cough headache, exercise headache, and sex headache), primary stabbing headache, and hypnic headache. These headache syndromes differ in extent of response to indomethacin, clinical features, and differential diagnoses. Neuroimaging is recommended to investigate for various organic causes that may mimic these headaches. Case reports of other primary headache disorders that also respond to indomethacin, such as cluster headache, nummular headache, and ophthalmoplegic migraine, have been described. These "novel" indomethacin-responsive headaches beg the question of what headache characteristics are required to qualify a headache as an indomethacin-responsive headache. Furthermore, they challenge the concept of using a therapeutic intervention as a diagnostic criterion.

Clues in the differential diagnosis of primary vs secondary cough, exercise, and sexual headaches.

Activity-related headaches can be provoked by Valsalva maneuvers ("cough headache"), prolonged exercise ("exertional headache") and sexual excitation ("sexual headache"). These entities are a challenging diagnostic problem as can be primary or secondary and the etiologies for secondary cases differ depending on the headache type. In this paper we review the clinical clues which help us in the differential diagnosis of patients consulting due to activity-related headaches. Cough headache is the most common in terms of consultation. Primary cough headache should be suspected in patients older than 50 years, if pain does not predominate in the occipital area, if pain lasts seconds, when there are no other symptoms/signs and if indomethacin relieves the headache attacks. Almost half of cough headaches are secondary, usually to a Chiari type I malformation. Secondary cough headache should be suspected in young people, when pain is occipital and lasts longer than one minute, and especially if there are other symptoms/signs and if there is no response to indomethacin. Every patient with cough headache needs cranio-cervical MRI. Primary exercise/sexual headaches are more common than secondary, which should be suspected in women especially with one episode, when there are other symptoms/signs, in people older than 40 and if the headache lasts longer than 24 hours. These patients must have quickly a CT and then brain MRI with MRA or an angioCT to exclude space-occupying lesions or subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Review of Severe Headache after Sexual Activity with a Case Presentation

Introduction: Sexual activity-related headache (SARH) is a benign cause of activity-related headaches, related to increasing intraabdominal pressure and arterial blood pressures. But, the pathophysiology is still unclear. More common in male patients with an average age of 40, its prevalence is 1% in the community. In this article, we presented a 24-year-old male who was diagnosed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) after SARH. Case Report: A 24-year-old male was admitted to the emergency room for severe headache and vomiting after sexual intercourse. He had a history of pain in two sides of his head while in the orgasm period in previous sexual activities. But, he told that it was the first time he had severe headache, nausea, and vomiting. In the history, he had no medication or disease but smoked 1 package of cigarettes every day and drank alcohol occasionally. Physical examination and vital signs were normal. After medical treatment, he underwent a CT scan of brain and was diagnosed with SAH and a 2.5X3.5 mm saccular aneurysm in the brain CT angiography (BTA). Conclusion: SARH is a rare and mostly benign condition. Therefore, patients suffering from headache should be questioned whether or not it is associated with sexual activity. Treatment options should be considered after exclusion of lethal secondary factors, such as SAH.

Primary headache associated with sexual activity: 15 new cases and therapeutic outcomes

To explore the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognostic features of primary headache associated with sexual activity (PHASA) . Fifteen patients were prospectively analyzed over the past 7 years at our hospital. There were 11 males and 4 females with a mean age of (42 ± 11) (26-56) years. Their mean ages of onset were 38 ± 7 (26-44) years. For preemptive therapy, 8 patients had received indomethacin (25-50 mg, 30-60 min prior to sexual activity). Among them, 7 patients reported good outcomes and there was one case of limited success. Four patients received sumatriptan (50-100 mg, 30-60 min prior to sexual activity). And 2 patients reported good outcomes and the remaining 2 had no response. They received ibuprofen for preemptive therapy with a complete success. Prophylactic treatment of propranolol 60 mg was indicated for 8 patients. The outcomes were good (n = 6) and non-successful (n = 0). Among 4 patients with a prophylaxis of nimodipine, there were successful (n = 2) and non-successful (n = 2). The first-line option for PHASA should be indomethacin. Other drugs may be used for preemptive therapy if there is no relief or adverse effects are intolerable.

Primary stabbing headache: A new dural sinus stenosis-associated primary headache?

Background: Primary stabbing headache (PSH) is a primary syndrome of unknown aetiology characterized by brief stabs felt in orbital, temporal and parietal areas, whose daily frequency largely varies. PSH incidence resulted 33/100000/year in clinical series with a 35.2% prevalence in a population study. Although considered an infrequent condition, a sinus stenosis-associated intracranial hypertension without papilledema (ss-IHWOP) is much more prevalent than believed and may represent a risk-factor for the /INS;progression of migraine, tension type headache and exertional, cough and sexual activity-associated headaches.

Primary stabbing headache: a new dural sinus stenosis-associated primary headache?

Primary stabbing headache (PSH) is a primary syndrome of unknown aetiology, characterised by brief, jabbing stabs predominantly felt in the orbital, temporal and parietal areas, whose frequency may vary from one to many per day, usually responding to indomethacin. PSH frequency in the general population is not well defined, but recent evidence suggests it could be more frequent than previously thought. In clinical series, PSH incidence was 33/100,000 per year, while in a population study 35.2 % prevalence was found. PSH was previously described as isolated or associated to other headache syndromes, most frequently with migraine. There is evidence that an idiopathic intracranial hypertension without papilledema, a condition usually associated to significant stenosis of dural sinuses (93 % sensitivity and specificity), is much more prevalent than believed and may run asymptomatically in up to 11 % of otherwise healthy individuals. In migrainous prone people, a sinus stenosis-associated intracranial hypertension without papilledema (ss-IHWOP) comorbidity may represent a powerful risk factor for progression of pain. Besides migraine, significant sinus stenosis has been found overrepresented also in chronic tension type headache as well as in exertional, cough, sexual activity-associated headaches (all indomethacin responsive primary headaches) and in altitude headache (an acetazolamide responsive condition). To explore the possible association between venous outflow disturbances and PSH, we retrospectively investigated the co-occurrence of sinus venous stenosis in patients referring to our headache centre since 2004 diagnosed with PSH who completed the diagnostic protocol. Out of 50 consecutive patients reporting PSH as the main or as accessory complaint, 8 (6 females, 2 males) performed MR venography (MRV). All MRV revealed significant unilateral or bilateral sinus stenosis. Mean age at PSH onset was 35.3 ± 18.9 years (range 11-67 years). Duration of attacks ranged 1-3 s. Median daily frequency of attacks was 4 (range 2-20); median number of days per month with PSH presentation was 14 (range 4-30). Six patients described attacks in temporal or parietal areas, one at the top of the head, and one in the occipital area. Only one patient had isolated PSH; all the others were diagnosed also with migraine without aura. Seven out of eight patients responded to indomethacin 75 mg/die, and one to topiramate 100 mg/die. Interestingly, both drugs share with acetazolamide a CSF pressure lowering effect. Our findings indicate that PSH is associated with central sinus stenosis and suggest that an undiagnosed ss-IHWOP might be involved in PSH pathogenesis.

Characteristics of primary exertional headache in Korean marine corps

Primary exertional headache is included in Other Primary Headaches (Group 4) in the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition (ICHD-II) with primary cough headache, primary sexual headache, and idiopathic stabbing headache. The prevalence of primary exertional headache showed about 1-30.4%.