Can Orgasms Relieve a Migraine?

In this article, the LOVE Team is here to guide you through these bodily reactions, discuss existing research and identify the moments in which pleasure can become a natural painkiller.

To begin with, migraines and headaches aren’t the same thing. Migraines are often characterised by intense pain, often located on one side of the head, and can be accompanied by nausea, vision problems, or hypersensitivity to light and sound. They’re sometimes a result of particularly complex phenomena such as constriction of the blood vessels and a hypersensitive nervous system.

Orgasms set off a volley of physiological reactions. During arousal, tension mounts in the body, then upon orgasm, a flood of endorphins and oxytocin is released. These hormones are often linked to relaxation and well-being. Such substances have a natural painkilling effect, comparable to certain medicines. What’s more, orgasms favour muscle relaxation, which can help to release tension.

Work has been done by experts to try and understand this surprising phenomenon. One study conducted in Germany in 2013 showed that for some patients who suffer from migraines, sexual activity can reduce, even completely rid them of pain. More than one third of participants claim to have felt a significant improvement in pain levels after sex.

Other less recent works also suggest that thanks to a release of endorphins and stimulation of the central nervous system, sexual activity can play a role in managing pain. Some patients suffering from migraine also declare this to be a recurrent phenomenon, thus reinforcing the interest for larger scale studies in the future.

Nevertheless, studies remain limited. Sample sizes tend to be small and the results vary. Therefore, we cannot say that an orgasm is a universal migraine remedy, but it does have potential.

If the idea interests you, it’s best to take things slowly. Masturbation is a good starting point if you want to see how an orgasm may affect your migraine. If you’re in a relationship, talk it through with your partner and explain the importance of going at your own pace.

Remember, this shouldn't be a form of sexual obligation in order to counter pain, the experience should remain a chosen, pleasant one. Even if it doesn’t make you feel better, it doesn’t make you a failure. There are other, effective methods for fighting migraines: drink water; lie down in a dark, quiet room; apply a cold compress to your head; or try out some relaxation techniques.

A quick reminder that sexual pleasure doesn’t equal orgasm. Cuddling, sexy massages, foreplay or even oral stimulation can help to relax the body and provide a little pain relief.

Pain isn’t a simple physical reaction, it’s also influenced by one’s psychological state. Stress, anxiety and fatigue can all accentuate the intensity of migraines. Sexual activity, whether enjoyed alone or with a partner, helps to release a little mental tension, reduce stress and favours feelings of general wellbeing.

Sexual pleasure also helps to redirect pain, known in the field of neuroscience as cognitive distraction. When the brain is concentrated on pleasant, intense sensations, it has less time to deal with pain signals.

Thus, orgasms can act in two ways: biologically, by releasing natural painkillers, and psychologically, by lessening the emotional burden associated with pain.

So, can having an orgasm really help with migraines? The response is quite nuanced: in some cases yes, thanks to the endorphin release and muscular relaxation that an orgasm causes, it can act as a natural painkiller. This isn’t, however, a miracle solution. For some people, it can make symptoms worse. Finally, it’s important that no matter what you choose to do, you listen to your body and experiment without putting pressure on yourself. After all, if pleasure becomes an ally against pain, why should you deny yourself?