Triptans in orgasmic headache.
Orgasmic headache (headache associated with sexual activity type 2 according to the International Headache Society classification) is a sudden severe headache which occurs at orgasm. Experiences with triptan therapy are described. Two out of four patients with severe headache continuing for >2 h had a positive response to acute triptan therapy. Two out of three patients using triptans as short-term prophylaxis reported a reliable response on several occasions. Triptans might be a treatment option to shorten orgasmic headache attacks after the diagnosis is clear and, particularly, subarachnoid haemorrhage has been excluded. In patients who chose to predict their sexual activity, short-term prophylaxis with oral triptans 30 min before sexual activity might be a therapeutic option in those not responsive to or not tolerating indomethacin.
Frese
A
A
Department of Neurology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Strasse 33, 48129 Münster, Germany. fresea@uni-muenster.de
Gantenbein
A
A
Marziniak
M
M
Husstedt
I W
IW
Goadsby
P J
PJ
Evers
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009948:Orgasm / Q000502:physiology*; D014363:Tryptamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014363:Tryptamines