[Headache related to sexual intercourse (author's transl)]

Coïtal cephalalgic (CC) is rare (1/360 headaches); it occurs more frequently among men. Out of 16 unpublished cases, in 4 cases, CC was the inaugural symptom of vascular attack. In the 12 other cases, CC was isolated or primary. According to the time of onset of headache during coït one may distinguish three types: 1) early CC usually moderate and short lasting; 2) orgasmic CC, abrupt, severe, lasting 15 to 20 minutes; 3) late CC of long duration (hours, days) follows sometimes orgasmic CC. Isolated CC is usually repetitive but capricious, episodical, not periodical. Prognosis is good. Mechanism is mainly vascular and muscular. The role of high blood pressure, migraine, and psychological factors is discussed.