[Red Flag] Headache triggered by cough, exertion or while engaged in sexual intercourse [Possible causes] Mass lesion, subarachnoid hemorrhage [Diagnostic tests] Neuroimaging, lumbar puncture
Coughing and exertion increases the intra cranial pressure, which may cause a vessel to burst, causing a subarachnoid hemorrhage. A mass lesion already increases intracranial pressure, so an additional increase in intracranial pressure from coughing etc. will cause pain.