This kind of headache afflicts women more than men, and is likely to be confused as a migraine. In fact, many of the symptoms you might experience for occipital headaches are similar to a migraine. The pain begins abruptly and mostly affects one side of the head as well as the area behind the eyes. Sufferers are likely to experience a pain-spasm-pain cycle that can last for days together. The skull becomes tender; so much so that any slight touch of the pillow or combing hair can also be painful.