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Sexual activity as a trigger for intracranial hemorrhage

Paul M Foreman1, Christoph J Griessenauer2, Magdy H Selim3

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 510 20th Street South, FOT 1005, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA. pforeman03@gmail.com.

Acta Neurochirurgica
|November 22, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) linked to sexual activity is rare but diverse. The study highlights the significant blood pressure surges during sexual response as a likely trigger for these serious brain bleeds.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Sexual Health

Background:

  • Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) has been anecdotally linked to sexual activity.
  • The physiologic sexual response may act as a trigger for ICH.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a case series of patients experiencing ICH following sexual activity.
  • To elucidate the role of the sexual response in triggering ICH.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records.
  • Identification of patients with ICH temporally related to sexual activity.
  • Collection and reporting of clinical and radiographic data.

Main Results:

  • Sixteen patients with non-traumatic ICH related to sexual activity were identified.
  • Common causes included aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (50%), angiogram-negative subarachnoid hemorrhage (25%), ruptured arteriovenous malformation (12.5%), and intracerebral hemorrhage (12.5%).
  • The average age was 49.9 years, with most cases linked to male-female intercourse.

Conclusions:

  • Sexual activity-related ICH is a rare condition with varied underlying causes.
  • Dramatic increases in arterial blood pressure during sexual response are the probable mechanism linking sexual activity to ICH.
Abstract

Keywords:
CoitusHemorrhageSexSexual activityStroke

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