Hormonal Changes Commonly Cause Migraine Headaches

A large percentage of migraine headache sufferers are women. While there is a lot of discussion over why exactly this is, researchers commonly attribute a percentage of migraine headaches to changes in hormone levels. Since estrogen and progesterone levels drop immediately before the start of menstruation, premenstrual migraines commonly occur at this time. This is the time when these hormones are at their lowest throughout the month.

Many women do not realize the link between their hormone levels and migraine headaches. However, over half of women who believe that their migraine headaches are linked to their menstrual cycle report that the migraine headaches disappear during pregnancy. However, some women report that during the first trimester of pregnancy the migraines seem much worse, but disappear after that. Hormone levels appear to be a common cause for women who have migraine headaches.

While hormonal migraine headaches commonly are said to occur right before or during the menstruation phase of the cycle, some women also struggle with migraine headaches during ovulation. This hormonal trigger is much more difficult to plan, since a stressful day can greatly change the ovulation cycle.

Other hormonal triggers

While menstrual cycle is the most common hormonal trigger for women, taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy medications can also trigger migraine headaches. Research has indicated that migraine headaches can be much more severe in women who take birth control pills that are high in estrogen. The frequency of this side effect decreases in women who take these medications with a lower dose of estrogen or those that contain progesterone. However, many doctors will change the medications until they are able to find one that works and does not cause a migraine headache.

It is reported that women who experience migraine headaches during their menstrual cycle and during pregnancy are more likely to suffer from migraine headaches during menopause. Women who are in perimenopause, the time between menopause and a normal menstrual cycle, often experience grueling migraine headaches due to the changes in their estrogen levels. However, eventually hormone levels will stabilize and the migraine headaches should disappear. This stability typically occurs once the woman no longer has a menstrual cycle.

Treatment options

Since hormone changes are usually temporary in nature, they can be very difficult to treat. Depending on the cause of the hormone changes, treatment can greatly vary.

The class of medication that doctors commonly use for menstrual migraine headaches is called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, or NSAIDs. Common medications include Orudis, Advil, Motrin, Nalfon, Naprosyn, and Relafen. It is suggested to start treatment with NSAIDs two to three days before the menstrual period begins. This timing can be difficult, however, keeping a calendar can greatly help estimate the date the next menstruation will occur. The treatment should be continued until the period ends. Doctors sometimes also suggest diuretics and limiting salt intake to help with migraine headaches.

For women who are taking hormone replacement medications, doctors suggest taking the lowest possible dose of the post-menopausal estrogen supplements. These medications should be used on a daily basis, rather than taking seven days off the medication. The thought is that by maintaining a steady dose of estrogen, the migraine headaches should be prevented. Some doctors even suggest the use of an estrogen patch, such as Estraderm, to help stabilize the estrogen levels.

Treating migraine headaches during pregnancy is the trickiest. This is because doctors recommend not using any treatment. Medications that are commonly used to treat migraine headaches can affect the uterus and cross the placenta which can affect the baby. Most medications that are used should be strictly avoided during pregnancy. Typically, a mild pain reliever, such as Tylenol is suggested. Any other medications should be closely discussed with their doctors prior to being taken.

It is also very important for pregnant women to discuss headaches with a doctor as there can be a more serious underlying condition causing migraine headaches. Migraine headaches can seem like a very clear cut diagnosis, but it can also be a symptom of another condition.

Many times there is no underlying cause for migraine headache pain. However, knowing the cause can sometimes be very little help in treating this painful vascular headache. Just by virtue of knowing what the cause is does not make treating it perfect.

Tags: blurred vision, constipation, dizziness, Fatigue, hallucinations, menstrual migraines, migraine triggers, nausea, sensitivity to light or sound, strange food cravings, vertigo, vomiting, zigzag vision