Brain bleeds, often result from the rupture of an abnormal blood vessel such as an aneurysm or AVM (arteriovenous malformation).
An aneurysm is an abnormal artery, with bulging walls, somewhat like the bulging area we sometimes see in an overinflated tire inner tube. An AVM is a tangle of abnormal communications between arteries and veins. The walls of aneurysms and AVM's are weak, compared to normal vessels, so elevated blood pressure can cause them to leak or burst. The liberation of blood around or into the brain immediately produces the explosive headache.
Since transient heart rate and blood pressure elevations occur during sex, and the walls of aneurysms and AVM's are weak, then it isn't too surprising that they sometimes rupture or leak during sex.
People are usually not aware that they have an aneurysm or AVM. It may be present for their entire life and cause no symptoms at all, until the day it leaks or ruptures.
SENTINEL BLEED: THE FIRST HEADACHE MAY GO AWAY
Sometimes brain bleeds start with a tiny leak, which may temporarily seal itself off, after which the headache may temporarily resolve. This is called a "sentinel bleed." A sentinel bleed is an important warning sign of impending rupture. It's crucial to recognize and diagnose a sentinel bleed, because it provides a window of opportunity to identify and repair an aneurysm before it completely ruptures causing brain damage, or death.
SUMMARY:
On the whole, sex headaches are more often harmless than serious. But, the problem is that a small percentage is due to a serious life threatening emergency, such as a brain bleed. That's why a new onset headache during sex needs an emergency evaluation by a physician. As is often the case in medicine, the percentage chance of a bleed may be small, but if it happens to you it's 100%.








