WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., June 9 (UPI) -- Contrary to the cliché, "Not tonight, I have a headache," a U.S. study suggests not all headache sufferers put off sexual activity.
In fact, migraine sufferers reported higher levels of sexual desire than those with other types of headaches, according to researchers from Wake Forest University School of Medicine and colleagues.
"Our study suggests that sexual desire and migraine headaches may be influenced by the same brain chemical," said lead researcher Timothy Houle. "The results support the idea that migraine, as a syndrome, is associated with other common phenomena. Understanding of this link will help us to better understand the nature of migraine and perhaps lead to improved treatment."
Both sexual desire and migraine headache have been linked to levels of serotonin, a brain chemical that also plays a role in depression.
In the study involving 69 individuals, migraine sufferers reported levels of sexual desire that were 20 percent higher than those suffering from tension headaches.
The study, published in Headache, demonstrated that migraine patients in general may experience higher levels of sexual desire than others, according to Houle.
