Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Orgasmic headache with transient basilar artery vasospasm.

Daniel Schlegel1, Brett Cucchiara

  • 1Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, USA.

Headache
|June 24, 2004
PubMed
Summary

This case study highlights a man who experienced sudden headaches during orgasm. His basilar artery narrowing resolved spontaneously within six months without specific treatment.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Antithrombotic Therapy for Noncardioembolic Ischemic Stroke: Current Evidence and Future Directions.

Stroke·2026
Same author

Role of CT Perfusion Imaging in Patients With Minor Stroke: A Cohort Study.

The Neurohospitalist·2026
Same author

Liberal Versus Restrictive Transfusion Strategy in Patients With Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Meta-Analysis.

Stroke (Hoboken, N.J.)·2026
Same author

Patient-Oriented Quality Metrics Enhance Provider and Staff Engagement.

Annals of family medicine·2025
Same author

Detection and Significance of Nonsustained Ventricular Tachycardia in a Post-Stroke Population.

JACC. Clinical electrophysiology·2025
Same author

Outcomes of Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source Treated With Antiplatelet Agents or Anticoagulation: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Neurology·2025

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Vascular Neurology
  • Neuroimaging

Background:

  • Recurrent explosive headaches during orgasm, also known as primary headache associated with sexual activity, can be debilitating.
  • While often benign, these headaches warrant investigation for secondary causes, including vascular abnormalities.

Observation:

  • A 36-year-old male presented with recurrent, explosive headaches coinciding with orgasm.
  • Initial magnetic resonance angiography revealed focal narrowing in the mid-basilar artery.

Findings:

  • The patient experienced complete resolution of both orgasmic headaches and the basilar artery narrowing.
  • These improvements occurred spontaneously over a six-month follow-up period without any targeted medical intervention.

Implications:

  • This case suggests that spontaneous resolution of orgasmic headaches and associated vascular findings is possible.
  • While pharmacologic treatments exist, clinicians should consider the potential for natural remission in managing these headaches.

Related Experiment Videos