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No Sex

Husband is living with cancer and we have not been sexually active for the last five years. We have tried but with little success. I do not have a problem with it. I'm so gratefull that he is alive and getting better. He is quite active in his life and in our family...we love him so much...We have 9 grands and 2 great grands from 3 children and all are blessed. I believe that God took that desire from me so that I would be a rock for my husband...not many women would have been faithful and never once complain or add to the male-mental-frustration....Could this be the cause of complex migraine for me. I was diagnosed a few months ago and on Toperimate and illin' daily

  1. Hi rocco.

    First let me say I am sorry to hear about the difficulties you and your family and dealing with. These certainly make life more difficult.

    No, not having intercourse will not cause migraine. Migraine is thought to be a genetic neurological disorder that is caused by genetics and a surge of events that impact overly sensitive neurons in our brains. Once our overly sensitive brains are triggered by certain stimuli such as changes in the weather, hormones, dehydration, sleep issues, and certain foods, and others, we can get an attack.

    Even though we hear the terms 'complex' and/or 'complicated' migraine frequently used they are not accurate diagnosis according to the International Headache Society’s International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition, beta, (ICHD-III, beta) which is used as the gold standard for diagnosing migraine. Here is more information on this topic; https://migraine.com/blog/complex-complicated-migraine/.

    I hope this helps,
    Nancy

    1. My reason for no sex IS my migraine & especially recently because of the frequency of my migraines - 16 since July 6. I have also found that even if I have a slight headache, sex can make it worse, in fact it has caused some of the worst headaches I've ever had. Fortunately I have an AWESOME husband who doesn't complain & takes what he can get😀

      1. JodiM,

        You might find the following articles helpful (see links below). I would encourage you to talk to your doctor or headache specialist about how sex is a major migraine trigger for you. Some patients have found relief by taking particular medications before sexual activity in order to reduce or eliminate the risk of having head pain following intercourse. Sex is something you should be able to have if it's something you want in your life!

        There's a chance you may be having an entirely different type of primary headache disorder in addition to your migraine disease. Check out the links below.
        https://migraine.com/blog/preorgasmic-orgasmic-headaches-anot-migraine/
        https://migraine.com/blog/pain-reduces-sexual-desire-in-females/

        Good luck to you,
        Janet G.
        "The Migraine Girl"

    2. I used to get emergency room migraines in the occipital area at the base of my neck after orgasm for several years. Then last year I had a pinched nerve in my neck, the pain was so incredibly intense I couldn't stand it (and I thought that being a migraineur I was pretty good with pain). The nerve pain wasn't in my neck, however, it was in my left shoulder, down the back of my left arm, and in to my left hand. My left fingers were numb.
      I had a surgical fusion of C5 to C7. After the surgery I haven't had any post orgasmic migraines, which has been quite nice, I must admit.

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