MEN & HEADACHES

Although migraine headaches are more common in women, migraines do affect men as well. Some headaches occur in men at similar rates as women. There are also a few headache types that occur predominantly in men.

Cluster headaches occur far more prevalently in men than in women. In the past, an 8:1
male to female ratio had been reported. More recently, a 5.4:1 male to female ratio had
been reported, and now, the ratio has dropped to 2.1:1, suggesting lifestyle changes for
women have increased their risk and reduced the difference in the ratio.

Cluster headache is defined as severe or very severe unilateral pain occurring around,
behind, or above the eye/orbit or in the temporal area, and occurring anywhere from once
every other day to 8 times a day, lasting 15 minutes to 3 hours. The headache pain must be
accompanied by at least one of the following:

      •  Tears
      •  Red eye
      •  Nasal congestion
      •  Runny nose
      •  Forehead or facial sweating
      •  Pupil constriction or droopy eyelid (ptosis is the technical term)
      •  A sense of restlessness or agitation

Tension-type headache occurs almost equally in men and women.



Sexually-induced orgasmic headaches occur more commonly in men. There are two types. Pre-orgasmic headaches are a dull ache in
the head and neck, associated with awareness of tight neck and jaw muscles during sexual activity, that increases during increasing sexual
excitement. Orgasmic headache is a sudden, severe, explosive headache occurring at orgasm. Understandably, this can be quite alarming
the first time it occurs. It would be best to see your doctor for evaluation to make certain it is not a sign of something serious. Usually, it is not.