Migraines And Hormonal Cycles

Migraines are terrible debilitating headaches that millions to date suffer from. Unlike a typical tension or sinus headache that may only last about an hour, migraines can last for days. The pain from a migraine headache can be so severe that the person cannot function. They have no choice but to lie down in a dark room with rags over their heads as they endure the pain. People who suffer migraines also may incur vision disturbances, mood swings, nausea and vomiting. It is not uncommon for migraines to give warning signs that they are approaching. Many people who have had reoccurring migraines describe an “aura” that occurs prior to the migraine. This “aura” makes things appear as though you are looking through a broken window. Other warning signals are constipation, irritability, and sensitivity to light, temperature or sounds. These warning can occur minutes before a migraine or a couple of days prior to. When diagnosed with reoccurring migraines doctors will often have their patients keep a headache diary so that together, patient and doctor, may be able to identify a pattern emerging. It is very important to pay close attention to our bodies so that we may notice these slight changes. If caught early enough preventative treatment can be sought that can reduce the level of pain that will accompany the approaching migraine and shorten its length of stay.

Women Far More Affected Than Men

As migraine sufferer statistics continue to grow there has been in increase in research studies. What researchers have been able to confirm is that the majority of migraine sufferers happen to be women. This has a large part to do with the fluctuating hormones that occur every month due to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Men actually do have changes in hormones over time, that do work in cycles as well, but they are spread out over a broader spectrum of time and are far less impactful. Women who suffer from migraines outnumber men by three to one. The fluctuation of estrogen is to blame as it creates high sensitivities both physically and emotionally. The emotional aspect is due to the low levels of estrogen leading up to a woman’s period. These low estrogen levels have a great impact on the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is a bodily substance that is largely responsible for our overall sense of wellbeing and happiness. The body requires estrogen to produce this serotonin and as estrogen levels are decreased in the days leading up to menses, so is the production of serotonin. This fluctuation can cause mood swings, food cravings, swelling, acne and emotional instability often referred to as PMS. Low levels of serotonin have been blamed for number of different conditions like; depression, anxiety disorders, unexplained weight gain, irritability, obsessive compulsive disorder, perfectionism, insomnia, and TMJ just to name a few. Statistics have shown that all of the conditions mentioned above predominantly affect women over men. Studies have found that people who have migraines on a regular basis also have low levels of serotonin. Coincidence, I think not.

Ways To Achieve Balance

Achieving hormonal balance may hold the key to putting an end to reoccurring migraines for women. There are many ways to help your body maintain healthy estrogen levels and as a result produce good levels of serotonin. One way is to offset estrogen fluctuations in the 7-10 day leading up to your period. This can be achieved by taking herbal supplements. Herbal supplements that have been used successfully used for the purpose of balancing female hormones and treatment of PMS are:

• Chasteberry
• Black Cohosh
• Don Quai
• Motherwort

You can find any of these herbal teas or supplements in most natural health food stores or online supplement suppliers.

Foods That Increase Serotonin

Serotonin boosters can also be found in common everyday foods. Adding more protein to your diet is a good start if you wish to boost serotonin production. Food like fish, poultry and beef all contain tryptophan which is the precursor for serotonin. Vegetarian options would be soybeans, lentils, and pinto beans as well as pumpkin and sunflowers seeds. There is supplement form available which is called 5HTP if nutritional sources are unappealing for any reason.

Walk It Off

Don’t underestimate the value of a taking a short walk. Walking briskly for 20 minutes 5 days a week can yield tremendous benefits in preventing migraines. Those benefits include:

• Gives a daily dose of vitamin D, which is used in effective migraine treatment and prevention
• Releases the body’s natural pain killing agents called endorphins.
• Releases tension in the muscles that can constrict blood vessels which in turn can cause migraines.

Learn about your body’s personal needs and changes. You can achieve hormonal balance and prevent migraines. Making simple healthy choices can reap great rewards.

Tags: headaches, migraine attacks, migraine treatment, Migraines, side effects, symptoms, treating migraines, vascular headachce