Sex

Here’s some surprising news: if you’ve ever used the excuse of having a headache to get out of intimacy, you have been doing yourself a disservice. Studies have shown that sex is actually a natural pain reliever, and headaches are at the top of the list of ailments that it may ease. Because natural endorphins and other pain-relieving, feel-good hormones are released during orgasm, this headache relief method can help you relax and give you a sense of calm. A team of neurologists at the University of Munster, Germany, found that more than 50 percent of migraine sufferers who had sex during a migraine episode experienced an improvement in their symptoms, and 20 percent found that sex completely cured their migraines.

Know When to Seek Help

While most headaches are painful but otherwise relatively harmless, it’s important to note that some symptoms that accompany headaches should not be brushed aside. If you experience a headache accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, vision problems or slurred speech, you should seek immediate medical attention to rule out the possibility of a serious medical condition. Further, if you begin to experience recurrent headaches or headaches that are significantly different in feel than previous ones, you should make an appointment with your primary care physician to discuss your symptoms and attempt to determine their cause.