Men's health: Identifying and managing health risks in sexual activity

Sexual Intercourse Injuries

(I) Sexual Activity and Headaches

According to foreign reports, the incidence of sexually transmitted headaches has been increasing in recent years. Sexually transmitted headaches often occur just before sexual climax. The nature of the headache varies, including tic-like, gradually intensifying, or squeezing types. Some occur a few minutes before orgasm, gradually increasing with the arrival of climax; a very small number occur days or months after a sexual encounter, appearing without apparent cause and disappearing suddenly and inexplicably. The latter type is more difficult to diagnose. The occurrence of sexually transmitted headaches sometimes necessitates the termination of sexual activity, thus often disrupting marital harmony.

The cause of headaches caused by sexual activity remains unclear. Some believe it is a symptom of aneurysm; others believe it is related to high tension during sexual activity. Under conditions of excitement and tension, when sexual activity reaches orgasm, blood pressure suddenly increases and heart rate suddenly accelerates, leading to vasoconstriction, affecting blood supply to the brain, causing temporary cerebral hypoxia, and triggering a migraine-like attack. Some researchers speculate that the headache during intercourse may be caused by strenuous sexual positions. Others believe the following factors may also contribute:

① Short, rapid sexual activity, especially at midday;

② A history of masturbation or deviant sexual behavior;

③ Improper sexual activity that exacerbates tension;

④ Reunion after a long separation; anxiety coupled with fatigue;

⑤ Excessive inactivity, exceeding three months.

The treatment for intercourse headaches involves correcting unhealthy sexual habits and eliminating stress factors. If symptoms persist, medications similar to those used for migraines may be tried.

In short, intercourse headaches are generally not caused by organic diseases but are mostly related to mental stress or depression. By eliminating negative mental factors, building confidence in overcoming the condition, and closely cooperating with the doctor's treatment, most patients will experience rapid symptom relief and the headache will gradually disappear.

(II) Coitus Syncope

This condition often occurs during the honeymoon. Due to the bride's excessive tension, fear, or excitement, blood vessels constrict, and the heart rate increases. Therefore, during intercourse, temporary symptoms of cerebral anemia may occur. Symptoms include palpitations, shortness of breath, paleness, cold sweats, decreased blood pressure, weak pulse, cold and clammy extremities, confusion, and aphasia. In such cases, the bride's head should be lowered, and she should drink a cup of warm sugar water; she will usually recover gradually. If she remains unconscious, she should be taken to the hospital.

Prevention of this condition involves the newlyweds having some knowledge of sex, the bride maintaining a relaxed mood, and avoiding excessive tension. A harmonious relationship between the couple is essential. During intercourse, the groom should exercise restraint, be gentle, and avoid rough or reckless actions to prevent unpleasant situations.

(III) Allergic Reactions

During sexual intercourse, some wives experience facial flushing, nasal congestion, generalized and vaginal itching, hoarseness, laryngeal edema, and even urticaria, vaginal edema, congestion, and a feeling of obstruction, among other systemic discomforts. These symptoms sometimes last for 2-3 days and occur after each instance of intercourse. This indicates an allergic reaction in the wife to her husband's semen. The causes of such allergic reactions related to sexual intercourse may include the following:

① Although the husband's reproductive tract may not show obvious symptoms, he may carry Candida albicans (a type of fungus), which can be transmitted to the vagina through sexual intercourse, causing an allergic reaction.

② Semen contains certain antigens that act as sensitizing substances, potentially causing an immediate hypersensitivity reaction in the woman.

③ A wife allergic to a certain medication may also experience an immediate hypersensitivity reaction after intercourse with a husband taking the same medication. This is because the husband's semen may contain a certain drug that still has the ability to cause an allergic reaction in the woman.

④ Another situation is that some women are very sensitive to the use of diaphragms or condoms for contraception, experiencing allergic reactions. In such cases, changing the method of contraception will prevent the allergy from recurring.

If a wife has an allergic reaction to her husband's semen, she can use a condom during intercourse to avoid direct contact with the allergen. If an allergic reaction has already occurred, medications such as chlorpheniramine can be taken for treatment.

Sudden Death During Sexual Intercourse

"Sudden death during sexual intercourse" refers to death triggered by sexual activity. This includes not only those who die during orgasm but also those who die suddenly after intercourse. Sudden death during sexual intercourse occurs worldwide. According to reports, 500-1000 people die from sexual accidents annually in the United States. In 1988, Japanese forensic experts counted 34 cases of sudden death during intercourse out of 24,665 accidental deaths nationwide. The deceased included men and women, young people, and the elderly.

The exact cause of sudden death during intercourse requires further research, but many victims have been found to have psychosomatic illnesses or underlying factors. They may have experienced excessive excitement under the strong influence of neuroendocrine mediators, leading to sudden cardiac and respiratory depression and death.

Some sex physiologists have pointed out that before sudden death, there is often unstable breathing, followed by asphyxiation. The breath-holding phenomenon during sexual pleasure seems to be an instinctive reaction; while breath-holding increases sexual pleasure, it also leads to cerebral hypoxia. Prolonged sexual activity (especially with excessive excitement) can cause loss of consciousness due to cerebral hypoxia and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Examinations of death cases confirm that most incidents occurred during intense and prolonged sexual activity (over 30 minutes). Domestic and international medical research indicates that the following situations increase the risk of sexual accidents:

First, middle-aged men. Surveys show that the highest age for male sexual accidents is around 30 years old. This is followed by around 50, 40, 20, and 60 years old. The rate of sexual accidents is higher around 30 years old, a time when men are in their prime. Some medical experts believe the main reason is that men in this age group often engage in excessive and frequent sexual activity, and their movements are often rough and aggressive.

Second, patients with cardiovascular diseases. Statistics show that among men who experience sexual accidents, heart attacks are the most common cause, followed by cerebral hemorrhage, with these two conditions accounting for the vast majority. In contrast, cerebral hemorrhage is more prevalent among women. Hypertensive patients who do not moderate their sexual activity may experience increased blood pressure, worsening dizziness and headaches. Extreme excitement can even cause a rapid increase in cerebral blood flow, leading to increased intracranial pressure, which can easily cause blood vessel rupture and bleeding, resulting in stroke or even death.

Thirdly, excessive alcohol consumption or smoking can also lead to accidents. Surveys show that 34% of deaths from sexual accidents occurred after alcohol consumption before intercourse, and 25% had smoked more than 10 cigarettes in a short period beforehand. Therefore, sexual activity should be especially moderate after consuming large amounts of alcohol or smoking.

Fourthly, extramarital sex can also cause accidents. A Japanese study of 184 men who died suddenly during sexual activity found that only 78 were married couples, while the remaining 106 had engaged in extramarital sex. This may be because irregular sexual activity is more likely to arouse excitement and cause greater tension and anxiety than marital sex.

Fifth, when couples reunite after long periods of separation, or when they are overly exhausted. Many surveys show that some sexual accidents often occur on the night the husband returns from a long business trip or when he is physically exhausted.

Sixth, when there is a significant age gap between the man and woman. Regarding the age difference for men, the average age of male fatalities is 46, while the average age of their female partners is 33, a difference of 13 years. The average age of female fatalities is also more than one year older than their male partners. Therefore, experts advise against impulsiveness when having sex with a younger partner; this seems particularly important.

Seventh, unmarried young people living together. Excessive tension, fear, or excitement can easily lead to sexual accidents. This is more common in young men and women under 20.

In the event of an accident, do not panic; provide immediate first aid. Ideally, the person experiencing sudden cardiac arrest should perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and chest compressions.

1. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation: The patient lies supine with their head lowered. The rescuer pries open the patient's mouth, presses down on the tongue, pinches the nostrils closed, and forcefully blows air into the patient's mouth until the patient inhales. Then remove the rescuer from the patient's mouth, release the nostrils, and use their hands to compress the patient's chest until the patient exhales. Repeat this process, following a normal breathing rhythm, at a rate of 14-16 breaths per minute.

2. Chest compressions: Place both hands, one on top of the other, below the xiphoid process of the patient's sternum, and use a thrusting motion to compress the heart (to a depth of 0.7cm-1.0cm), pressing and releasing at a rate of 60 times per minute.

If an assistant is available, one person can perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while the other performs chest compressions simultaneously, with 4-5 compressions per breath. If only one person is present, a single breath can be given followed by 10 compressions. We must be patient and continue as long as there is a glimmer of hope. Once the heartbeat and breathing rhythm are restored, immediately transfer the patient to the hospital for further treatment.