Name of the Condition

• Headache Associated with Sexual Activity
• Medical Term: Coital Cephalgia

Summary

Headache associated with sexual activity refers to headaches that occur in relation to sexual intercourse, particularly during or after orgasm. While often benign, they can occasionally indicate serious underlying health issues.

Causes

• Physical exertion or increased blood pressure during sexual activity.
• Possible involvement of the dilation of blood vessels.
• More rarely, can be connected to conditions such as a brain aneurysm or intracranial hemorrhage.

Risk Factors

• More common among males than females.
• History of migraines or tension headaches.
• High levels of physical exertion during sexual activity.

Symptoms

• Sudden, severe headache at the point of orgasm (often referred to as “explosive”).
• Dull bilateral pain that intensifies rapidly.
• In some instances, persistent throbbing pain after sexual activity.

Diagnosis

• Patient history and symptom description.
• Neurological examination.
• Imaging tests like MRI or CT scan to rule out serious conditions.

Treatment Options

• Acute treatment often involves pain relief with NSAIDs or triptans.
• Preventative treatment may include beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers for frequent cases.
• Relaxation techniques can help reduce stress and exertion levels.

Prognosis and Follow-Up

• Generally benign and self-limiting.
• Regular follow-ups may be necessary for those with recurrent episodes to monitor for underlying conditions.

Complications

• Though rare, complications like a subarachnoid hemorrhage may occur if an underlying vascular issue is present.

Lifestyle & Prevention

• Moderation of physical exertion during sexual activity.
• Stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing or yoga.
• Maintaining good cardiovascular health through regular exercise and diet.

When to Seek Professional Help

• Severe headaches that begin suddenly or are the worst headache experienced.
• Accompanied symptoms, such as neck stiffness, dizziness, or visual changes.
• Headaches that increase in frequency or severity.

Additional Resources

• American Migraine Foundation: AMF Resources
• National Headache Foundation: NHF Website

Tips for Medical Coders

• Ensure precise documentation of the headache's association with sexual activity to differentiate from other headache disorders.
• Avoid common errors such as confusing with non-specific headache codes like G44.1 (vascular headache, not elsewhere classified).