Less Commonly Occurring


Benign Exertional





Icepick Headache
Primary Stabbing Headache
Jabs and Jolts




Pre-Orgasmic



Post-Coital
Orgasmic



Cluster

Pulsating or throbbing headache lasting up to two days, brought on by exercise or strenuous
physical activity. The headache can occur during or after the activity. More likely to occur in hot
weather or at high altitude. You should see a doctor the first time this type of headache
happens – it can mimic other disorders that are not "benign."


Sharp, stabbing pains occurring as a single stab or a series of stabs, occurring mostly in the eye/orbit,
temporal, or parietal regions. Stabs last a few seconds, and may recur throughout the day, usually
at irregular intervals.

This headache type is not well-understood, but is slightly more common in migraine sufferers.


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.


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.


Severe pain, one-sided, occurring in the eye, orbital region, or in the temporal region. Associated
with redness of the eye, tears, nasal stuffiness, facial sweating, pupil constriction, a droopy eyelid
(called ptosis), and often with a sense of restlessness. The headache pain occurs anywhere from
once every other day to 8 times a day, and lasts 15 minutes to 3 hours. Pain appears in regularly
occurring episodes one or more times a day for several weeks, then symptoms disappear between
"clusters." Cluster attacks may not recur for months or years. In some cluster headache sufferers,
there is a seasonal pattern to their occurrence, with attacks occurring in spring and fall, or in winter
and summer.

(Cluster continued on next page.)