# Does sex help relieve migraines? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 5, 2015, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679 "2015-06-05T02:39:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/1 "2015-06-05T02:39:57Z")
Hello Everyone, My wife, unfortunately, suffers from severe migraines it seems a few times every week. The doctors haven’t seemed to do much for helping, Excedrine (sp?)migraine seems to help the most, that and sleep with the occasional ice pack. I swear I read somewhere that it was proven that having sex helps relieve the symptoms of a migraine. (And no, I’m not a heartless pig, I’m really trying to help). Has anyone else hard this or am I just remembering wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/2 "2015-06-05T02:57:16Z")
Not tonight, I don’t have a headache. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/3 "2015-06-05T03:06:38Z")
She didn’t have to say it, the look said it all. Even when I explained I was just trying to help. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/4 "2015-06-05T03:16:53Z")
There is a theory, which I have heard repeated, but never seen a citation for, that increased blood flow to the brain, say from an orgasm, will help. I suffer from Chronic migraines, so I was willing to try it. It didn’t help me. It is occasionally pleasantly distracting. It is also occasionally absolutely more than I can face. Just depends on the headache and the day. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/5 "2015-06-05T03:22:50Z")
I swear am I ever going to start a thread that doesn’t have a typo in it? I swear I am not an uneducated bumpkin. I just have a bad habit of hitting enter prior to proofreading. I guess that comes from the fact I’m an above average tipsy, but that doesn’t translate over to the phone very well. ---
**Author:** ![Lubricious\_Integument](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/82dd89/32.png) [@Lubricious\_Integument](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lubricious_Integument)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/6 "2015-06-05T03:26:02Z")
Unfortunately no. On the other hand, migraine patients have shown clear signs of relief upon orally ingesting semen 2 to 3 times per day over a course of 6 months. This treatment must continue indefinitely to prevent the relapse of migraine symptoms. Disclaimer: you read it on the internet, so it must be true! ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/7 "2015-06-05T03:30:50Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > I swear am I ever going to start a thread that doesn’t have a typo in it? I swear I am not an uneducated bumpkin. I just have a bad habit of hitting enter prior to proofreading. I guess that comes from the fact I’m an above average tipsy, but that doesn’t translate over to the phone very well. Arrrrrgggggggggggggggggg :smack: Feel free to point and laugh at me. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/8 "2015-06-05T03:33:01Z")
> [@Lubricious\_Integument](#): > > Unfortunately no. > > On the other hand, migraine patients have shown clear signs of relief upon orally ingesting semen 2 to 3 times per day over a course of 6 months. This treatment must continue indefinitely to prevent the relapse of migraine symptoms. > > Disclaimer: you read it on the internet, so it must be true! Any chance I could get you to wear a white coat and a stethoscope and tell that to my wife? I like your treatment option better! (Okay, maybe I am a little bit of a pig.) ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/9 "2015-06-05T03:33:59Z")
I should clarify that I was told this by the nurse practitioner at my neurologist’s office. **obbn** having suffered with migraines myself, I can sympathize with your wife. Has she seen a neurologist who specializes in migraines yet? Regular doctors, I’ve found actually know very little about this. My PCP was telling me to use cold compresses. Thanks. Thanks a bunch. In any case, there are treatments out there that should help more than Execedrin. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/10 "2015-06-05T03:51:36Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > I should clarify that I was told this by the nurse practitioner at my neurologist’s office. > > **obbn** having suffered with migraines myself, I can sympathize with your wife. Has she seen a neurologist who specializes in migraines yet? Regular doctors, I’ve found actually know very little about this. My PCP was telling me to use cold compresses. Thanks. Thanks a bunch. In any case, there are treatments out there that should help more than Execedrin. We were just talking about making her an appointment with a neurologist, like 10 minutes ago. I think that is our next step. I feel terrible for her, especially because I seem powerless to help her. Or primary care doc has suggested getting checked by a specialist. He said it’s out of his field of expertise. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/11 "2015-06-05T04:10:28Z")
[Yes it can help](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/9906594/Why-sex-is-a-better-headache-cure-rather-than-painkillers.html) reduce the pain from migraines. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/12 "2015-06-05T06:02:09Z")
I couldn’t even _imagine_ having sex when in the midst of a migraine. So it doesn’t even matter to me if sex _does_ relieve migraines; it just aint happening. ---
**Author:** ![nicole1912](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/9de0a6/32.png) [@nicole1912](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nicole1912)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/13 "2015-06-05T06:18:24Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I couldn’t even _imagine_ having sex when in the midst of a migraine. So it doesn’t even matter to me if sex _does_ relieve migraines; it just aint happening. This. When I have a migraine, my head feels like it’s exploding, my eyes are being stabbed, and I feel like I’m going to throw up any second. Lying still in a dark room hurts. The idea that I might want to even consider having sex in that state is laughable - if my husband actually suggested it while I was mid-migraine, I’m not entirely sure what my reaction would be, but it wouldn’t be in the same galaxy as “well, I suppose if science says it will help, let’s go for it!” ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/14 "2015-06-05T10:32:54Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > [Yes it can help](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/health/news/9906594/Why-sex-is-a-better-headache-cure-rather-than-painkillers.html) reduce the pain from migraines. Or sex can [bring on headaches bad enough to make you vomit](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sex-headaches/basics/definition/con-20025355). ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/15 "2015-06-05T10:49:08Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > I swear am I ever going to start a thread that doesn’t have a typo in it? I swear I am not an uneducated bumpkin. I just have a bad habit of hitting enter prior to proofreading. I guess that comes from the fact **I’m an above average tipsy,** but that doesn’t translate over to the phone very well. Best typo ever! Can I be an “above average tipsy” too? I would be willing to practice frequently. Re your question: Long before the internet, I read somewhere that sex can help headaches (I don’t recall if it was migraines per se, though it may have been). After years of testing, I can attest that sex does indeed help, although as others have said if it is a really bad migraine there is no way in hell I could be enticed into sexual activity. Also, I’m sure it’s the orgasm that produces results, so unfulfilling sex wouldn’t help. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/16 "2015-06-05T11:27:19Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Excedrine (sp?)migraine seems to help the most . . . You realize, of course, that Excedrin Migraine is identical to regular Excedrin, except for the packaging, right? And that both are identical to much-cheaper Generic, right? By the way, in my experience, orgasms can actually trigger migraines, not vice-versa. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/17 "2015-06-05T12:08:05Z")
> [@nicole1912](#): > > This. When I have a migraine, my head feels like it’s exploding, my eyes are being stabbed, and I feel like I’m going to throw up any second. Lying still in a dark room hurts. The idea that I might want to even consider having sex in that state is laughable - if my husband actually suggested it while I was mid-migraine, I’m not entirely sure what my reaction would be, but it wouldn’t be in the same galaxy as “well, I suppose if science says it will help, let’s go for it!” A bazillion times yes. I usually feel so nauseated with them that anything we’d do to get me in the mood, would instantly result in him wearing an Exorcist style outfit, which I’m sure would ultimately put a damper on further proceedings. Just no. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/18 "2015-06-05T14:28:42Z")
> [@ddsun](#): > > There is a theory, which I have heard repeated, but never seen a citation for, that increased blood flow to the brain, say from an orgasm, will help. > > I suffer from Chronic migraines, so I was willing to try it. > > It didn’t help me. It is occasionally pleasantly distracting. It is also occasionally absolutely more than I can face. Just depends on the headache and the day. This. (I also have chronic migraine.) It should also be kept in mind that an orgasm can sometime cause or worsen a migraine. Damned if you do… I’d suggest letting her take the lead on this. If you already have the stabbing pain, roiling stomach, and other migraine effects, sex usually isn’t really that attractive a prospect. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/19 "2015-06-05T14:49:41Z")
The husband is suffering from bad headaches, so he and his wife go to the doctor. After a thorough evaluation, the doctor sends the husband out to the waiting room. The doctor says to the wife, "Your husband is suffering from a serious but treatable condition. First off, he must avoid stress and overwork. You need to wait on him hand and foot, cook all his favorite foods, rub his feet and neck, and make sure he gets lots of rest instead of working around the house. " “Next, and this is important, you must have sex with him at least twice a day. Make sure he has an orgasm each time, no matter what you have to do.” The wife nods, and goes out to the waiting room. Her husband says, “What did the doctor say?” The wife says, “Sorry - the doctor says you’re going to die.” Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679/20 "2015-06-05T14:59:48Z")
This idea goes back to the theory that migraines were caused by vasodilation and that a vasoconstrictor would balance out the problem and cure the headache. (Sexual activity is vasoconstrictive). Since this theory about migraines and vasodilation has been abandoned in recent research, there is no longer a scientific basis to having sex during a migraine. Sorry, guys. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-sex-help-relieve-migraines/721679.md?page=2)