A Professor of Clinical Neurology and Internal Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Ikenna Onwuekwe, has said that people with existing headaches are often more prone to having headaches when having sexual intercourse.
The health urged people who experience headaches during sex not to take it lightly but rather seek medical intervention from specialists.
According to the neurologist, people who have migraine, tension, medications, or fevers often experience a worsening of their headache when they engage in sex.
Prof. Onwuekwe, however, noted that some people without already existing headaches also experience headaches with the onset of sex, before orgasm, or after orgasm.
Onwuekwe, who is also the head of the Neurology Unit and Consultant Neurologist at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, explained that since there are possibly confusing reasons for sex to cause headaches, anyone having such must be seen by a competent Neurologist and Headache Specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Speaking in an interview with PUNCH HealthWise, the don said sexual intercourse is a demanding physical activity, adding that it can be associated with the start of or worsening of an already existing headache.
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He stated that the 2018 International Classification of Headache Disorders recognises the disorder called primary headache associated with sexual activity.
“This primary disorder serves to distinguish it from headache due to other causes such as migraine that can be made worse during or secondary to sexual activity.
“Because sex is a demanding physiological activity, people with already existing headaches from migraine, tension, medications, or fevers may experience a worsening of their headache if they start or engage in sex.
“The primary headache associated with sexual activity describes people who only get a headache with the onset of sex, before orgasm, or at orgasm.
“Such people must not have any prior existing headache condition,” he said.
According to him, for a few people who experience headaches post-orgasm, it may be due to issues with cerebrospinal fluid leakage.
A cerebrospinal fluid leak is when you’re leaking the fluid that surrounds your brain and spinal cord. CSF is vital to how your brain and spinal cord work, protecting and cushioning them from outside forces, Cleaveland Clinic said.
Continuing, the neurologist said for primary headache associated with sexual activity, the headache may be severe in intensity for one minute to 24 hours duration or of mild intensity for up to 72 hours.
He said that while there is no accurate data for this condition in Nigeria, about one per cent of the general population worldwide is estimated to have primary headaches associated with sex, adding that men are at greater risk than women.
He added that the typical age of presentation is between 20 – 45 years.
“By way of the cause of this primary headache of sexual activity, the exact reason is unsure though factors associated with haemodynamic instability are incriminated.
“It is known that during sexual activity, the Valsalva maneuver occurs and there are robust increases in blood pressure of these sufferers during sex much more than is seen in healthy controls and people with migraine.
“Systolic blood pressure can shoot up to as high as 160-170mmHg or more in this condition.
“Typically, the headache will repeat with recurrent sexual activity but 15 per cent of cases may have remissions lasting two months at a time in-between attacks. A chronic cause is well recognised.
“In every case of headache brought on by or worsened during sex, it is important to distinguish primary headache (without any other evidence associated condition that can cause headache) from secondary headache syndromes where potentially lethal conditions may exist such as brain aneurysms or tumours or stroke with bleeding into the brain.”
“Another condition that may look like primary sexual headache is called reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome where selected arteries at the back of the brain get temporarily blocked by spasm. This can occur during sex or any exercise but it is not a primary headache associated with sex.
On the diagnosis, he said apart from detailed clerking and examination, neuroimaging modalities and examination of cerebrospinal fluid amongst other investigations may be needed to arrive at the specific disorder and to establish the diagnosis of a primary or a secondary headache syndrome.
He said treatment varies according to the specific cause.
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“For some people, the Neurologist may recommend reducing the frequency of sex while for others, there may be a need to adopt more passive sex positions and use recumbent postures more often.
“People with hypertension need to be properly controlled on medications and the use of certain drugs that enhance sexual function but cause vasodilation of blood vessels must be strictly regulated.
“For candidates diagnosed to have primary headache associated with sexual activity, certain medications are useful such as indomethacin and propranolol among others.
“In all cases, there is a need to stress the critical need for the headache expert to guide the identified sufferer to ensure best practices and better quality health including satisfactory sexual health.
“So many cases have come to public knowledge about people found to have collapsed and died in bedrooms at home and in hotels during sex activity.
These are not usually cases of primary headaches associated with sexual activity but likely cases of lethal consequences of secondary headaches associated with sexual activity.
“In these latter cases, at the height of orgasm or with increasing intensity of sex, there is either a massive acute coronary event such as myocardial infarction (heart attack) or a massive intracranial event such as a large cerebral haemorrhage.”
The expert noted that to have satisfactory and safe sexual life, it is vital to have a clean bill of health, to know one’s health risks, and have them controlled by a competent physician.
“Otherwise, one can sometimes pass on to the other side while in active pleasurable service.
“For those known to have a diagnosis of primary headache associated with sexual activity and it happens frequently, the headache can be prevented by taking medications like indomethacin or beta-blockers minutes before the onset of sex.
“But it must be stressed that there is no room for self-prescription here. Expert neurological management is key,” Onwuekwe said.
Measles outbreak kills 42 in northern Nigerian state
The Adamawa State Government confirmed on Friday evening that 42 individuals have tragically succumbed to a measles outbreak.
Felix Tangwame, the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, disclosed this somber update, specifying that the fatalities occurred in Mubi and Gombi local government areas.
Addressing reporters following a state executive council meeting at the Government House, Yola, Tangwame detailed the extent of the outbreak. He revealed that eight wards in Mubi and seven wards in Gombi were affected by the measles outbreak, resulting in the loss of 42 lives out of 131 and 177 affected individuals, respectively, in the mentioned LGAs.
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In response to the crisis, all local government areas in the state have been placed on red alert as a precautionary measure to prevent further spread.
Tangwame emphasized the promptness of his ministry’s response upon receiving reports of the outbreak, attributing their ability to manage the situation effectively to swift action. He assured that both the government and development partners are actively engaged in addressing the situation.
Nido infant milk neither registered nor sold in Nigeria – NAFDAC
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, on Sunday declared that the Nido infant milk formula, alleged to contain sugar or honey, was not registered and sold in Nigeria.
The director-general of NAFDAC, Mojisola Adeyeye, made this known in a statement obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos.
Mr Adeyeye said the attention of NAFDAC’s Management was drawn to an online publication alleging that one of the worlds largest consumer goods company added sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in many poorer countries, contrary to international guidelines aimed at preventing obesity and chronic diseases.
It stated that the online publication of April 17, 2024 was being circulated widely to the general public.
Mr Adeyeye said the report further stated that samples of baby food products sold in Asia, Africa and Latin America were tested and results revealed that sugar and honey were added in form of sucrose in samples of Nido and Cerelac.
“The Management of NAFDAC wishes to use this medium to reassure the public that the Agency exercises due regulatory diligence in the registration of infant and young children foods distributed and used in Nigeria.
“This is in line with relevant Codex Alimentarius international food standards (Codex) and more specifically, Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).
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“This is applicable to all categories of infant and young children foods distributed by manufacturers, importers, and marketers of infant and young children foods operating within Nigeria.
“Regarding the mention of Nido follow-up milk formula in the publication, NAFDAC wishes to state that the product is not registered in Nigeria, is not known to the Agency and is not in circulation in Nigeria,” she stated.
According to Ms Adeyeye, the range of Nestle Cerelac infant cereals distributed in Nigeria are duly registered with NAFDAC in line with the Nigerian Industrial Standard for Foods for Infants and Young Children.
“Processed Cereal Based foods (NIS 256:2010) and the Codex Standard for Processed Cereal-based Foods for Infants and Young Children (CXS 74-1981 was adopted in 1981, revised in 2006, amended in 2017, 2019, and 2023), as well as the applicable NAFDAC regulations for compliance with safety, quality, and labelling requirements.
“Adequate, optimal nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential to ensure the growth, health, and development of children to their full potential.
“The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) implements the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, developing international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice with the mandate to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair international food trade.
“Nigeria (NAFDAC) is an active participant at these international food standards setting arena to contribute Nigerians positions during food standards development,” it said.
According to the statement, the Agency, on March 22 held a stakeholders engagement with members of the Association of Infant Food Manufacturers and Marketers in Nigeria, AIFMN, anchored by the Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, FSAN, Directorate, to further drive home the importance and special place of infant and young child nutrition.
Adeyeye reassured the public that the Agency was fully alive to her responsibilities of assuring the safety, wholesomeness and quality of infant and young children foods offered for sale in Nigeria in compliance with the relevant standards and regulations.
NAN
5 reasons men need to eat pineapple before sexual intercourse
Sex ought to be an enjoyable activity, but many factors can get in the way of such enjoyment. Factors like low libido, lack of stamina, and erections can prevent such enjoyment. That’s why pineapples are so important. Many people believe it only benefits women, but it has many sexual benefits for men.
Pineapples are rich in manganese, an antioxidant that fights free radicals and prevents cellular damage. A manganese deficiency can lead to diseases like heart disease and diabetes, which are linked to erectile dysfunction. However, adequate manganese intake can increase blood flow and prevent infertility.
Pineapples are rich in bromelain, which increases testosterone production and provides many sexual benefits in bed. This hormone regulates libido and encourages nitric oxide oxidation which makes men more sexually active.
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Pineapples are also rich in vitamin C and thiamine which can increase low libido in men. Thiamine stimulates the development of sex hormones, and this is especially important when men can’t have an erection during sex.
Pineapple can help increase sexual stamina, especially for those who find themselves exhausted from sex. Sex requires endurance and stamina, with studies showing men can burn up to 101 calories in 30 minutes of sex. To enjoy bedroom fun without exercising, consider indulging in pineapples, which are rich in vitamins B1 and C, which can help increase sexual stamina.
Pineapple consumption before sex can enhance the taste of ejaculate by making it sweeter. This is due to the high levels of acid and sugar in pineapple, which make semen less bitter and more sweet. The primary benefit for partners is the added sweetness, in case they want to taste it.
Raw pineapple, rich in vitamin C, is an antioxidant that strengthens the immune system and prevents inflammation. Studies on rats have linked reduced inflammation to improved blood flow, which is important for sexual health.
This is because healthy blood flow is essential for achieving sexual arousal and erectile function for penetrative sex. This increased blood flow and higher blood pressure within the penis make the penis firm and erect.
Finally, a cup of pineapple or one pineapple finely chopped is enough; do not eat more than that, as it will have the opposite effect.
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