[dompech]

I too have had these headaches.
My first was at the point of ejaculation.It was as awful as described by others with the feeling of my brain trying to exit via the base of my skull.The dull throb or aftershock lasted for 30 minutes after.My next episode came in the gym whilst doing warmup exercises.So this was NOT during a moment of intense hightenened breathing or hightened heart rate.I did not continue with my work out but stopped before anything bad happened.I had a further headache 3 weeks later during sex again this time i went to the doctor who sent me to the hospital.I had a scan and a lumbar puncture which both came back clear.The resident neurologist took interest and finally came back with the thunderclap theory.
A change of lifestyle was what it took to stop these episodes.No more gym a different girlfriend and generally taking life at a different pace.
On a note i did have smaller headaches whilst at secondary school after running long distance races.

[Oneeyedguy]

Update: been back to osteopath, he's done ultrasound & acupuncture on my neck - some improvement in general headacheyness. Been doing my own exercises more: especially head rotations, side-to-side stuff etc, all helping to ease my neck & shoulders.

BUT - no improvement in the crucial area. Tried masturbating, was hoping for improvement because my neck and shoulders were feeling better - but no. Same old big headache, and I waited for it to slowly wear off, which usually takes anywhere between 10 minutes and several hours. I tried massaging area just in front of my ears - result! It immediately began to ease the pain, and after just 1 min the pain had practically gone.

OK, it's not a cure - but it's surely a big signpost to where the problem is. I've been checking out stuff on the trigeminal nerve (cos that innervates the areas where I get pain) and it has a big ganglion in exactly that area. And I've been wondering whether this isn't a TMJ problem - temporo-mandibular joint. In other words, jaw misplaced. I had a whack on the head maybe 2-3 years ago and I was convinced then that it had altered my bite.

More when I find it out. Could it be specs?

[decolady]

oh you lot are amazing!!!! thankyou all so much for what you write..i have just got back together with someone after 10 very traumatic weeks apart,and EVERY time i have had an orgasm (5 times in 2 meetings) this pain has been unbearable.it is like someone putting your head in a vice and turning it...about 30 seconds before climax,i feel the pain start,and the trouble is,a) i want the orgasm,b) i don't want to frighten the boyfriend,so i carry on...i then climax but am holding my head and can't do anything else for ages...4 hours after the last time this has happened,and i am now sitting writing here,with just a dull throb in my head,but the pain at the time is excruciating..now i wonder how much is due to the anticipation..ie before we split i never had this,how much could be psychological..and potentially is something underlying?like most others on here,first time i thought my head was going to explode...thankyou to you all for your sensible words..and eve hanks to the unsensible ones that made me smile!i'm not so scared now,but i am going to get this checked out.for the stats,am 46,overweight and in love lol!love hurts right?! x

[taffywilliams]

Hi Guys - I too have just had my first experience of an encruciating headache just prior to and during orgasm. This happened last night and was quite scarry, I felt like my head was about to explode.  I must say that I will feel a bit foolish going straight to my GP.  I may try being a bit more relaxed during my next sexual activity.  I am a 49 male and have never had any history of migranes/headaches, I am not overweight and I am quite fit. 

Do any of you who have suffered over the last few months have any improvements or great cures that you can share.  I am worried that this may not be simple to cure. I don't want to be afraid to have sex!

Paul

[Oneeyedguy]

After a year of absolute misery with this I think I might be coming out of it. In the last month, I've had about 5 orgasms, 4 of which have been pain-free, 1 of which was maybe 20% painful compared to the 100% headcrushers. I wish I could say with full confidence it was down to something really specific - I've been trying to do regular Pilates, I've been seeing an osteopath re my painful, tensed-up neck, he's been giving me acupuncture as well as massage, ultrasound. I have had advice and support from others on this forum, for which so many thanks, it helps when you know others are coping and some things do seem to work. But if I'm honest I think it has just gone away 'by itself'. My neck's not been great lately, but this has still happened. It's not completely the same as it was before; I can sense something rumbling 'in the background' when I come, a sort of faint echo of the pre-headachey sensation. But they don't appear, and I am learning to relax and enjoy orgasms again. The first time, I just lay there waiting for it to explode. When it hadn't happened after about a minute, I was like, what the hell is happening? I put it down to a fluke. But no fluke. It might come back, I guess; I'm just trying to enjoy things while I can.

So don't lose hope. Don't stop trying, every so often - otherwise you'll never know. If you've been checked out and the docs are satisfied it's benign sexual headache, then you aren't risking your health as far as I can see. What else can I tell you? They went away after a really bad 2-week bout of flu. I lost 3/4 stone - maybe that helps? But I felt dreadful during the flu, my neck was killing me, I got really dehydrated, couldn't keep a thing down, had to go into hospital at one stage. Came out, drained. Two weeks later, the clouds have started to lift. If anything changes, I'll be back on here, but for now - don't give in to feeling hopeless. Just say to yourself, I'm changing my approach to sex. Cuddle, get aroused - you can't help it - but don't push it. Exercise, try to feel healthier. And every so often, try to come, as gently and relaxed as you can.

[BriDog67]

Hello all,
Glad I found you guys. I've had this problem since age 16 (now 41) Here's the commonalities in my case.

1 - Happens every summer when the weather gets warm, never during the winter (I live in MI, USA)
2 - I have smoked marijuana the entire tim
3 - Orgasm at least once a day
4 - I'm non athletic and slightly overweight

I've been to the doctor numerous times and none have ever helped me, one doctor left the room to google it. I've just learned to live with it. I know when it first happens that it will be 2-3 weeks before it goes away. Someone mentioned taking Exedrin Migraine a couple hours prior, I tried it and it may have helped a bit. Breathing is definately the key. I tend to hold my breath and tense up a lot. Controlling that reduces the pain by about 60% for me. If anyone, ANYONE has found a successful remedy for this PLEASE let us know.

[ptor]

Had my 1st experience last week....just before orgasm the base of my skull felt like a vise crushing it. I rarely get headaches so was concerned. Took 2 advil after it subsided 15min later. Still had a dull headache. 2 days later could feel the same pain building when started masturbating so stopped. 2 days later I still have a dull headache. No real pain its just there. If it persists in a few more days will go in to get a scan just to make sure. Im 41, very fit/active, no neck pain, history of low blood pressure. Will focus on breathing 2 c if that makes any difference. Thanks for all your postings.

[Retry2]

Edit: I too am having the sinus drainage/pleghm problem...and it showed up right before the recurrence of the headaches

I'm 20 years old, male, and on the heavier end of the still athletically capable scale...I had my first thunderclap headache last year, during the summer, and continued to have them for a few months. Needless to say, their timing in my sex life had put some strain on my new wife and I. But in my case, they also occur when I do push ups, which is markedly close to the missionary position so I had thought there to be a correlation, which I'm not so sure about now, as masturbation causes them too. They went away during the winter, which I hadn't even thought about attributing to the season. And then the Army shipped me to Korea, before my scheduled MRI. I hadn't thought about the headaches much during this winter, seeing as how I've been without sexual contact, but yesterday, as the summer started to get back in full swing, i got a headache during my pushups that was so severe I passed out. The military doctors here are useless, and haven't been asking the right questions when I talked to them, but after a few minutes online I found a possible name for my problem at the very least "Coital Cephalgia" 

here is just what wikipedia has had to say about it

newbielink:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coital_cephalalgia [nonactive]

If anyone else has any information regarding this problem....PLEASE post

[anubisdogg]

I have just found this website, I am a 21 year old male. I started having these headaches last year they lasted about 4 months and happened every time I had sex or masturbated. Then just as quickly as they came they were gone again. Now almost a year later they started up 2 nights ago. I have been to the doctor but am going to a different one in the next week. I don't have any sinus problems or allergies at all. I have low blood pressure but that is in hand and my p/b is usually normal. I did find that sometimes taking Advil before sex helps, at least a little bit.

Alexander

[EvilHeadAches]

First One happened last night. Girlfriend is a nurse, im a firefighter. We both thought i was having an anyeurism. Started to subside so we calmed down a bit. Woke up this morning with the same dull ache at the base of skull, moving to my peripherals and right behind my eyes. Found this to be the best explanation. Not going to sit here and say im not devastated. But i guess i have it too. coital cephalalgia. look it up. It might sound familiar. Have an awesome day. OH YEAH...im only 22... This sh1t better not last forever

[Paka]

Hello All,
I had this headache today for the first time and it was sudden, right at the "Big O". it was all the back of my head and neck, heart beat was very high (I could feel it) (my heart beat is usually 95-100).  I have experience the very same headaches when I work a lot under high temperature or under the sun (like gardening)  it usually starts gradually but this time it was suddenlly, but it was the same pattern and intensity as when I dont take my medicine inmediately when it starts.  Also I kind of have the same headache in the middle of the night when I used my pillow in certain way that makes some kind of pressure on my neck on the back of my head.  My guess is there might be some kind of blockage at the area of the neck of where the head starts and when there is some kind of pressure makes it worse.  Does anyone have any news about this?  also I am close to the visit of "Aunt flow" Any of you were close to it when you had this episode?  I am just trying to find any common factors to put something together so that when I go to the Doc I have something to say that I am not along [:-[]   
Thahk you All.

[omglol]

He-ya ho.

Alright.

I saw this thread randomly after searching for something completely different on google.

[Monarch]

WOW! This headache happened to me just last night.  This was about the third time this has happened in a years time.  But last night I thought my head was going to explode.  The pain went from the top of my head and ran across the top to the back of the neck.  Extreme pain I had never felt before.  I thought I was having an aneurysm.  I then began to cry because the pain was so bad, which probably made it worse.   We had to stop before the orgasm ever happened.  [!]   Right after I took two Excedrin and the pain subsided but went to dull pain behind my eyes and in my neck for many hours.  I woke up without the headache thank goodness, but the thought of it returning during sex is scary.  Not sure if I should see a doctor or not.  I have had sinus problems, not sure if thats a factor as other have had too.  As for the blood pressure, I am willing to bet it was sky high during this headache!

P.S.  To those of you wondering in other emails....Sex is better after 40.  Amazingly indescribable.  [] You younger folks will just have to find out for yourselves when you get here.  I would hate to have to stop now!

Debra

[seacanvas]

I'm new here - I have been reading about these orgasm headaches for 1 1/2 hours - made my headache subside  []

I'm going to share something personal - but it is relevant, that's why I share it. I'm a 39 year old female, single, and had probably the most fantastic sex ever about 4 days ago - with myself, of all things. I thought I was on the plateau of being in a constant orgasmic state for a good 30 minutes - or so it felt at the time. I had never experienced anything like it - and in all my orgasms through the years, I've gotten to know my body enough to know when it's going to be a little "plff...", a moderate "oh yeah" or a big wowzie...

This one, let's just say, felt like I was going to the point of no return... only I never got there, because that's when this "thunderclap headache" you are all describing happened. I tried to ignore it because I felt so close, but the overpowering headache was too much and I had to stop. It felt like all those things mentioned - like an aneurysm, or like my head was going to pop off my body. I had a mild headache the day after.

I thought nothing of it the next night, though, and remembered the great time I had, so I tried again, to have it repeat, nearly identically. Sigh. The next day, another mild headache all day long.

I took a day off (ha) and tonight I just touched myself no more than 2 minutes and got another unbelievable headache. This was not anywhere near the stimulation that had brought on the other headaches.

So now that I've read everyone else's experiences and recommendations, here is what I can say about me and my experience.... I am overweight and was recently in Hong Kong. I got some Chinese medicine that's supposed to help increase metabolism by opening the arteries and blood vessels in the body while you are digesting food (you take them after you eat). I don't know the name of the herb or combination of herbs, but I've been losing weight in a way that is gradual and has no side effects. I don't feel anything when I take the pills. I wonder now if these pills are partly related to this experience? I say that because, when the headaches happen, I can feel my heart beating hard and pulses in my head that really feel like blood pumping in to my brain. The pills are supposed to help with lessening hardening of the arteries or clearing debris that is trying to set into artery walls (particularly the fat deposits - or I suppose it's called astherosis, spelling?). Since I'm overweight I wanted something to help increase my metabolism (since I know that is a problem) and wanted to make sure I'm not doing myself in with the artery thing.

In my personal history of orgasm experiences, sometimes when I'm trying to orgasm, I will be trying so hard that I notice I'm so tense that I can't "let go" - and if I try to "make it happen" I seem to frustrate the process. Sometimes I've had experiences where I will orgasm in those moments - but they are of the "pfff" NADA variety, hardly worth it, so I've learned to do this "apple grabbing game" while I'm trying to make myself relax.

It goes like this. I picture myself reaching into a paper bag. And I'm trying to get the "apple" that is on the bottom of the bag, below all the other apples on top of it. Before I start reaching, I am completely tense, and as I start reaching for bottom of the bag, going through all the apples, my body slowly relaxes, little by little, until I don't feel any tension anywhere. The point at which I can grab the apple at the bottom, of course, is the point of climax.

I find the more I make myself relax... if I can hold the orgasm back until I feel no tension anywhere (I pay really close attention to my feet, toes, legs, thighs, pelvic area, especially), then I end up having a lovely, flowering orgasm of the "medium variety" - lovely, satisfying, but not intense, necessarily.

So I say all this because I noticed that when I got this headache this week for first time, I was so tense that I almost couldn't let go of the tension. I was trying the "apple grabbing game" technique, but it wasn't working because I was trying to orgasm in a new way and new position than normal. This created the tension - yet I felt I was on the precipice of a new experience - had I really had the orgasm, it might have been body - blowing

(I won't say mind-blowing because IT WAS MIND-BLOWING, literally!)

Another factor - I had used, for the first time, this sensual oil that is supposed to heat up when you stimulate the area you apply it to. I put this oil around the clitoris area, and it really heightened the entire experience. I could feel everything. After this headache, I wondered if that oil might have caused a nerve to heat up a bit much and send a signal to the brain. Like an internal temperature gauge blowing. That's kinda what it felt like.

Anyway, jeez.... I think I gotta take a break from sex now. So... I plan to go to the Dr. anyway and get the MRI just to be safe. I'm going to take my pills and see what they say about them, if there might be any possible side effects to them I wasn't aware of. I'm very shy to talk about this because I'm in a foreign country and it's embarrassing to do that here, not to mention the language barrier. Sigh. But I suppose better safe than sorry.

Oh my God, these headaches feel absolutely horrible and scary. Tonight I really thought I was going to throw up after 2 minutes. I made my way to the medicine cabinet, downed 2 pills for headaches, turned on the air conditioner and sat under it, took my shirt off because I was so incredibly hot. (The weather where I am is not excessively hot). I turned on the computer and started reading about this, get my mind on other things, and now I feel normal again (aside from a mild headache).

I read somewhere, in a sex book for couples with sex problems, to focus on enjoying touching each other, but not putting so much focus on orgasm - or making each other "come". This is coming to mind now - though I'm with myself, maybe I need to do that ... focus more on enjoying my body instead of trying so hard to make myself come. But in my experience, I've never come by relaxing the whole time during the process.

Maybe this goes to show that that old saying that there really can be too much of a good thing?

[seacanvas]

I forgot to ask, the point of telling you my story of how I orgasm is this - women, have you ever been able to make yourself orgasm without tensing at all? How did you do it? With me, it seems to always start with tensing and me becoming more and more relaxed. Because of these headaches, I'm realizing part of this might be I need to learn how to not tense anymore when I'm in the process of orgasm, but I don't even know if that is possible?

[Don_1]

Can someone refresh my memory, what's an orgasm?

[seacanvas]

I reread my previous post, and wow, I was horny  [] I guess after reading 6 pages about orgasms, it got to me....

I wanted to get back on here, even though this thread doesn't look as active anymore to let people know something important, which is more important, your money or your life? I'm serious.

In my case, things haven't turned out favorably. I had lots of blood tests run and an MRI. My blood tests were great, normal levels for everything, low cholesterol, but my MRI showed a middle cerebral artery stenonis - meaning, atherosclerosis in the middle artery in the brain, the one that goes smack down the middle. I found this out 3 days ago. I'm about 80 lbs overweight, and the dr. looked me square in the face and said, "you need to lose weight as soon as possible, safely." He said it very, very seriously. I got the impression it was "do or die." He basically said I'm at risk for a stroke.

I will give you more history on my symptoms, in case anyone else is wondering, or can use the information. But that week I was having the orgasms and experiencing the headaches, one night it was so bad, I went to the bathroom because I felt like I was going to vomit. Everything was spinning, my vision was blurry - I just remember bracing myself against the wall. I remember being in there about 40 minutes, just praying for the headache to go away, it literally felt like my head was going to pop off my body. When I went back in the livingroom, I noticed 3-4 drops of blood on the floor (not menstrual blood). I had no idea where that came from? I didn't hurt anywhere.

That's when I got on the internet, found this thread, and FOLLOWED THE ADVICE TO GET IT CHECKED. I know how it feels to not have insurance. I thank God I have insurance because I may have not gone to get it, for the same reason. But, get yourself checked to make sure there is no problem because it could mean your life!

Anyway, so I laid off on the masturbating for the time being, and started eating really well and exercising every night. But, while exercising, I would feel these headaches coming on, so I'd just back off on the exercising and stop before they got bad. I remember one morning being at the grocery store and these people tried to butt in line ahead of me. I got upset and told them to wait their turn; I could feel the blood rise to my head and my head started pounding. I remember deciding right then and there, "Don't get upset over this." I breathed, and calmed down, and the pounding subsided.

This week was when I found out what my MRI said. I'm not eating a very restricted diet similar to a mediterranean diet (with online research, this is a good diet for this). Per the advice of my doctor, no strenuous exercise, he recommended walking, so I'm walking about 30-60 minutes a night, moderately, to start. Also, he gave me BP medicine, medicine for my blood to help it pass through better, and ibuprophen.

I thought all these tests would come back negative - I've always prided myself on having good health despite an overeating problem (as I've been overweight for 15 years, and love french fries and pasta and etc)... my family has excellent genes - only my grandfather had a stroke, and it was when he was well into his late 70s. Also, my blood pressure is in the normal range! But I'm taking the medicine because I assume the dr. knows what he is doing. I may have that condition where, when I get upset, it skyrockets. Maybe I've had that condition all alone.

If someone is seriously considering NOT getting themselves checked out, or while you are thinking about it, I highly recommend immediately taking divine care of yourself, check your BP when you are upset and when you are calm, and think carefully about whether or not your money or your life is more important.

It's been hard coming to terms with this, but I'm feeling better everyday. I feel soooooo lucky the dr's caught it in time and they are able to help me. I understand the medicine I'm taking will help immensely with cutting my risks for a problem.

Also THANK YOU to the person who was posting on here about having these symptoms then ending up in a wheelchair. Sorry I forgot your name - I had browsed through the thread to find you but couldn't. So here is my thank you. Hearing your story helped me take this seriously and get help.

[seacanvas]

p.s. One mistake above, I said I was not eating a restricted diet, I meant, I am eating a restricted diet now.

The other thing I forgot to say - I've been reading about strokes and was surprised to learn that they can happen to babies, healthy young 20 year olds, as well as middle aged and old. Some people can inherit a problem and not even know it. For example, that 3 year old obviously didn't have a stroke because of bad eating habits, he was hardly here long enough. In my case, I don't know if it's my bad diet, hereditary, or both... my point being, if you read my post, and you are young and/or healthy, don't assume you are not at risk for something serious going on. Better to know you are ok than risk your life, wouldn't you think?

[D123456]

I feel sorry for all of you suffering from this... I suffered from it too, if only for a few days, and I can see how it is no easy thing to just deal with.

I went to my doctor and she perscribed me Cyclobenzaorine, to ease the tension in my neck and relax my muscles and its worked wonders. I have no more headaches or pain...

These headaches came about for me because of my poor posture, sitting at the computer for lengthy amounts of time and not stretching. I think being more active and limber could help in many peoples cases and trying not to let anxiety make you tense up during the day.

I hope this post helps...

 

[flp]

Four days ago. It was the most godawful headache I have ever had in my life. All the same thoughts and fears. Aneurysm? Stroke? Dying? Felt very drowsy after that, till the next day.

The first thing I found on the net was this forum. God bless every one who gave details on their experience. All the info will help us understand this problem. Doctors don't seem to know much about it. Maybe people are shy about discussing the situation in which it happens?

And again had it a day later, this one was even worse.

The severe pain came on suddenly, starting from the base of the left side of the back of the skull, travelled rapidly upwards and reached the top of the back of the head, and in about 10 to 15 seconds spread down to the base of the right side of the back of the skull and also around the sides towards the front of the head. The pain on the right side was bad but not as intense as on the left side, and the throbbing pain spreading around the head was still less intense though it was also painful.

Had to discontinue sex, couldn't go on, tried to calm down by taking several deep breaths. The pain took very much longer to subside than it took to appear, and in about 30 minutes, downgraded to a lingering headache centred on the back of the head and mild fever for the rest of the day and the next. Couldn't concentrate, restless, very drowsy, constant mild nausea. Took a 6-hour nap, woke up still feeling drowsy. Next day, after a night's sleep, still drowsy and lethargic, feeling just slightly better, still with the mild fever, lingering mild headache, and feeling achy all over.

Did some research on the net. I am no doctor but I think I found what may be the possible cause.

This syndrome appears to be related to an existing infection or sepsis going on elsewhere in the body.

One poster said his chiropractor told him he had a "neck infection". This guy probably knows what he's talking about.

The question to ask is: Do I have or recently had an injury or infection in the nose (sinus), jaw, mouth (gum, teeth), ear, throat, neck (larynx) or lungs (bronchi)? Those are the key areas but there could be an infection somewhere else.

I suspect, in most cases, the answer will be 'yes'.

In my case, it is an abscess I had last week and still have in my jawbone, possibly due to the decay of the original tooth stub in one of my crowns. The abscess is in the left upper jaw bone in the fold between the gum and lip, just under the corner of the left nostril. Right next to the front left sinus. Don't think I have a sinus infection but did have a low fever and constant headache most of last week, been sneezing a lot lately and generally feeling very much under the weather.

Infections of this sort, including sinus, throat and lung infections are very often caused by the common bacteria, Staphylococcus Aureus.

"Over 30 different types of Staphylococci can infect humans, but most infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococci can be found normally in the nose and on the skin (and less commonly in other locations) of 20%-30% of healthy adults. In the majority of cases, the bacteria do not cause disease. However, damage to the skin or other injury may allow the bacteria to overcome the natural protective mechanisms of the body, leading to infection."
- newbielink:http://www.medicinenet.com/staph_infection/article.htm [nonactive]

The rest of the article is very informative.

So what is the possible connection between an infection in or near the head and coital cephalgia?

Bacterial toxins.

Most bacterial or Staph infections are localised, causing sepsis, redness, swelling, pain and pus at the site of infection. The bacterial activity produces by-products which are toxic to organic tissue, thus causing the symptoms. The bacteria and toxins can infiltrate the bloodstream to cause blood poisoning, a serious life-threatening condition. Or they can spread to and affect other parts of the body also via the bloodstream. You can also get Staph infection through contact with infected persons or their personal items, especially if your immunity is compromised.

So the hypothesis is that, due to a localised infection in, around or near the neck, when the blood pressure increases and/or blood vessels dilate during certain physical activities, the bacterial toxins are swept downstream by the increased blood flow, first into the immediate surrounding circulatory system, which is when the concentration of toxins are at its highest, and then throughout the body.

That the syndrome appears and disappears apparently spontaneously also points to bacterial infection being the probable cause.

Doctors commonly prescribe antibiotics for all sorts of conditions, even for illnesses which are of viral origin, on which antibiotics actually have no effect.

It is possible that the coital cephalgia clears up because the use of antibiotics for some other reason resolved the sepsis which caused the coital cephalgia.

E.g. For years, millions of people suffered chronic gastric problems and ulcers because the cause was unknown, so there was no effective treatment for it, until it was found accidentally that the culprit was a bacteria, Helicobacter Pylori. Patients who took antibiotics for other conditions reported that their gastritis also cleared up.

What would be a possible treatment for coital cephalgia? Antibiotics.

If it can be ascertained that there is a bacterial infection ongoing somewhere in, around or near the head, then a medically-supervised course of antibiotics can be prescribed. A blood culture can also determine the presence of Staph. Also, abscesses may need to be surgically drained and cleaned out.

Sudden onset of a severe headache can also indicate a stroke. So the first time one gets this type of headache, an immediate medical checkup is important. Especially if there are also symptoms such as numbness or weakness in some part of the body, dizziness, blurred vision, slurred speech, nausea, breathing difficulties.

This is what I suggest, if it happens for the first time:

Go for a medical checkup a.s.a.p. to rule out a possible stroke, or other serious diseases.

Also ask for a blood culture to be done to check for Staph infection.

If "there's nothing wrong, everything seems to be normal", then ask for a course of antibiotics. Especially if the Staph test is positive.

Sometimes an active infection can go unnoticed or undetected.

And do finish the antibiotic course properly, according to instructions.

Apart from the antibiotics, there are other things one can do to help the healing; and inform your doctor.

• Lay off sex until complete recovery - probably takes about 2 to 3 weeks.
• Get more rest or extra sleep.
• Drink plenty of liquids daily to flush out the toxins.
• Eat more natural foods and avoid processed or refined foods.
• Take a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement daily, with meals. Should contain at least 1000mg Vit C and 15mg Zinc; additional cod liver oil also helps. Continue for 1 month, better if taken indefinitely to maintain immunity and good health.
• Take first 1 tsp of Echinacea extract, then 20 drops extract 3 times a day, continue for 1 week.
• Take 20,000 units garlic oil (capsules) 2 times a day OR 3000 units every 3 hours, continue for 10 days.
• One day after the antibiotic course is finished, start taking yoghurt daily for 2 to 4 weeks, or take a good acidophilus supplement capsule for the same period of time.