HEADACHE DETECTIVE

The surprising causes of head pain. This week: Sex HEADACHES may well be used as an excuse to avoid sex, but the act itself can also cause headaches.

There are two types of sex-related headache: pre-orgasmic headache (classically described as a dull pain that increases with mounting sexual excitement); and orgasmic headache — an explosive headache followed by severe throbbing head pain just prior to or at the moment of orgasm.

Dr Andy Dowson, a headache specialist at King’s College Hospital, in London, says: ‘The reason may be that chemicals released during sex trigger a headache.

‘Sex may also cause blood vessels in the brain to dilate, leading to a migraine. Most sex headaches are nothing to worry about.

‘But you should see your doctor if you start to experience headaches this way or they feel unlike any headache you’ve had before.’