Hormones And Migraines

There are many triggers that can bring on severe migraine headaches but the one we will focus on is the menstrual cycle. Studies have shown that the major majority of migraine sufferers are women. Female migraine sufferers outnumber men by a hefty 3 to 1. This is believed to be because of the many hormone fluctuations that can take place over the course of a month due to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Migraine sufferers are primarily from ages 25-55, which also consequently coincide with the “hormonal years”. This is also a phase in life when stress levels tend to be on the rise. Major life changing events tend to occur i.e. college, career, marriage, children and all that goes with it!

Chain Reaction

When stress levels get higher our bodies release a whole new set of hormones! Cortisol is a part of the body’s everyday function and can be good in small, normal amounts. Its triggered release is brought on by stress and is a part of the “fight or flight” release from the adrenal system. Sadly, in today’s society, stress is usually a chronic, nonstop issue we all face thus causing an over production of Cortisol and releasing it into the bloodstream. The body pulls from progesterone to create excessive amounts of Cortisol needed to respond to chronic stress. The chain reaction causes progesterone levels to become depleted. Cortisol being overproduced can cause a number of issues including:

• Poor immune response
•  Mood swings
• Obsessive compulsive behavior
• Depression-which is also found to be more common amongst women ages 25-55

With low levels of progesterone there is often a dominance of estrogen levels, which in women, is a monthly changing occurrence already due to their menses. Progesterone is used to balance estrogen. They work hand in hand as estrogen is a stimulating hormone and progesterone is a calming hormone. As these hormone levels fluctuate and become imbalanced they tend to trigger severe migraines. Once the migraine sets in, as anyone who suffers from them will tell you, it is usually ready to hang out for while. Hormones can also take the blame here because hormone levels take time to level out. It is a slow process and if the hormone change is what is causing it than the migraine is more likely to stay longer. This creates a viscous cycle because once a person has a migraine they become incapacitated and unable to take care of their everyday responsibilities. As those responsibilities pile up, stress levels elevate, as stress levels elevate the cycle continues.

Self Induced Hormone Imbalance

Many of us would not like to think that we could actually be to blame for the hormonal issues we face that could be causing the migraines. But the truth is we could be responsible for it. Our lifestyles play a very large part in our overall wellbeing. There are many hidden dangers in our everyday eating, cooking, exercise, and even sleeping habits. Many of the foods we choose help over exert the adrenal response. Foods that contain high amounts of sugar interfere with insulin levels which also can affect Cortisol. When the body goes through “sugar crash” from eating a donut with a sugary cup of coffee for breakfast, the body goes into alert mode and signals for energy. That signal goes to the adrenals and is looking for Cortisol to handle the energy crisis it is experiencing. This again drains the progesterone levels. These low progesterone levels and high estrogen levels are to blame for the hormonal migraine. Women are also at risk of high estrogen levels through meats and dairy products. This is why it is important to make healthy choices when deciding the types of foods you will eat. Animals are given hormones, and as a result, those hormones are given to us. Synthetic estrogens also come from plastics we use to eat off of and drink from.

Simple Adjustments

The good news is it is never too late to try something new! In most cases if you suffer from migraines you are given a prescription for pain management. While this may help short term, it doesn’t last, and I don’t know about you, but I need something that helps in the long run. By making healthier choices in the foods we eat we can bring those pesky hormones back into proper working order. Choose hormone free dairy, chicken, and meats. Do not use plastic containers while heating your food to avoid synthetic estrogens. Start eating more salads filled with green, leafy vegetables and if possible choose organic. Pesticides sprayed on plants can also create hormonal issues. Last, but not certainly not least, take a quiet walk. Light exercise will help get out the excess energy, clear your mind, and help you rest better at night. We could all use a little more rest!

Tags: constipation, Depression, emotional stress, Fatigue, headache, migraine, migraine attack, migraine headaches, migraine symptoms, migraine triggers, strange food cravings, triggers