If you’re a migraine sufferer, you may wonder why you can’t seem to get through a month without one, especially if you’re a woman. Many women begin having migraines in adolescence when they start having their period. The changes in hormones can be the cause of this type of headache.
How Hormones Influence Headaches
As your body gets ready for menstruation, your hormone levels change so that your body releases the lining of your uterus (when you’re not pregnant of course). Estrogen and progesterone rise and decline as you go through this process. Specifically, estrogen decreases right before your period starts. This decline in estrogen is the chief cause for menstrual related migraines. As your period ends, hormones again shift, shooting the estrogen level back to where it was before, which can then spark another headache.
Your Susceptibility to Hormone Headaches
Not everyone sufferers from headaches during menstruation because some people aren’t affected by the hormones as much as others are. Migraine susceptibility during menstruation also has to do with your family history of migraines.
Treatment for Migraine During Menstruation
Usually, over the counter headache medication is sufficient to treat migraines during menstruation. Many times, it’s important to take it at the first sign of a headache starting to be more effective. However, if you are one of the people who don’t respond to over the counter medications, you can ask your doctor for a prescription migraine medication. You can also explore preventative medications that you can take a week before your period is scheduled to start.
Thu, Mar 18, 2010
Headaches