Men can sometimes experience some surprises during orgasm. Some are painful and others only embarrassing. Here are a few common—and uncommon—things that can happen during your most intimate moment with a partner.
Headaches
Headaches during sex are more common in men than in women. The pain might be associated with a tension headache or a migraine. If the orgasmic headache is severe, throbbing or explosive in nature, it might indicate a more serious underlying process, such as a cerebral aneurysm, or weakness in the wall of a cerebral artery or vein.
Genital Pain
Pain localized in the genital area just before or during orgasm can indicate the presence of an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) such as a gonorrheal infection. It's also potentially an indicator of prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland, can make ejaculation painful.
Abdominal Pain
In rare cases men can suffer from dyspareunia—post-ejaculatory pain syndrome—a persistent and recurring pain during ejaculation or right after. The cause can be traced to an involuntary cramping of spasm of sensitive muscles in the male genital organs. A pelvic floor disorder can also be the cause of pain during or after orgasm. In that case, overtoned, shortened or inflamed pelvic muscles can result in the compression of a nerve and cause pain.
Yawning and Sneezing
Yawning and sneezing aren't painful, but if they happen during orgasm it can be confusing for your partner and embarrassing for you. There's only speculation at this point, but researchers say that since the part of the brain that controls orgasm is close to the centers that control sneezing and yawning, one center could activate the other and give rise to an "ah-choo" moment.
What to Do
- If you experience headaches frequently during orgasm, a visit to the doctor is warranted, and you doctor will likely want to know if there is a history of migraine headaches in your family. If this is the case (it is for a third of men who suffer from coital headaches), he may suggest that you try a prescription migraine medication. If the headaches are severe or explosive in nature, this also calls for a doctor visit and possible a CT scan or MR angiography to see if you are at risk for cerebral aneurysm.
- Genital pain during orgasm might indicate an STD; so you'll want to be tested. If the cause is prostatitis, the inflammation of the prostate, this can be treated with antibiotics if it is a bacterial infection. If it is chronic in nature, your doctor may suggest trying pain relievers. If you're affected by prostatitus it's smart to stay away from alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods and see if things improve. If you ride a bike a lot, a "split" bike seat may relieve pressure on the prostate gland and provide some relief.
- Abdominal pain during orgasm, though somewhat rare in men, can often be traced to emotional causes. Stress and guilt about sex can play a role. Seeking a richer emotional relationship with your partner can help, or you might want to seek out a therapist.
- No researcher is quite sure why you might yawn or sneeze during orgasm. You might be embarrassed but there don't seem to be any ill effects--or treatment.
Bottom Line
It's good to be aware of these surprises during orgasm because while some may represent a minor inconvenience, others might indicate a serious condition or illness. Contact your doctor.
Sources
Bhutta, Mahmood F., Maxwell, Harold. "Sneezing Induced by Sexual Ideation or Orgasm: An UnderReported Phenomenon." Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. (2008) 101. 587-591. Web. 15 Apr. 2010. http://jrsm.rsmjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/101/12/587
"Coital Headache." GPNotebook. http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=1611006002. Web. 15 Apr. 2010.
Dafer, Rima M. "Migraine Variants." eMedicine.com. 13 Jan. 2009. http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic219.htm. Web. 15 Apr. 2010.
Mayo Clinic Staff. "Prostatitis." MayoClinic.com. Web. 15 Apr. 2010. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/prostatitis/DS00341
Ter-Petrosyon, Lev. "Sexual Pain Disorders - Dyspareunia." Armenian Medical Network. 3. Dec. 2007. Web. 15 Apr. 2010. http://www.health.am/sex/more/sexual_pain_disorders_dyspareunia/
