More than half of the patients analysed who were suffering from migraines found that their symptoms dissipated after sex, or at least their symptoms improved. One in five patients left the trial with no pain at all, whilst many others (particularly men) found that sex was used as a therapeutic tool to alleviate stress or anxiety. This is because sex releases endorphins which help to work as the body’s own painkillers by impacting the nervous system – this helps it to reduce or remove the pain associated with a headache. Sex also works to prevent attacks in some cases, which could spell great news for those who suffer with migraines.
As part of the study, researchers sent 800 random migraine patients and 200 cluster headache sufferers a questionnaire which asked for responses as to how sexual activity impacted their symptoms and whether it removed it at all. Two out of every three patients stated that their migraine was significantly improved after sex – three out of four reported that they felt complete relief from the headache, and a third stated that it got worse. With the cluster headache group, researchers found that 37 percent of those questioned said that their condition was improved with sexual activity, and 90 percent said they felt moderate or complete relief.