We all know that period and PMS symptoms can cause pain and discomfort. For some, however, the pain is more severe. If you’re reading this, you might be one of the few who suffer from migraines during your cycle. The timing of migraines is probably not random. ONE drop in the hormone estrogen, which occurs right before menstruation, can be the cause of “menstrual migraines”. Menstrual migraines are real, and there are also real ways to deal with them and deal with them. Here are four things you should know about period migraines.
1. Period migraines are caused by changing hormone levels.
Women who experience menstrual migraines often experience them anywhere from 2 days before to 3 days after their period starts. This makes perfect sense once you realize that anything that changes the level of the hormones estrogen and progesterone can trigger these migraines. As we mentioned, women start to see a drop in estrogen right before their period starts. This is a widely accepted theory of what causes period migraines. Another theory speculates that the normal release of prostaglandin during the first 48 hours of menstruation causes period migraines. When evaluating these two theories against the time frame in which women most commonly experience menstrual migraines, you can see how they relate. If you experience period migraines in the days leading up to your period, it may be due to estrogen deprivation. If your migraines occur in the first few days of your cycle, it is likely due to the normal release of prostaglandin. It is common for women who suffer from “normal” migraines to also suffer from menstrual migraines. Migraines caused by hormones can also occur during pregnancy and menopause.
2. Menstrual migraines are an uncommon symptom of period.
Compared to other common PMS symptoms, period migraines are considered an unusual period symptom. These types of migraines are believed to affect less than 10% of the women. Compared to “normal migraines,” menstrual migraines often last longer and involve more nausea.
3. Period migraines are different from period headaches.
A common symptom of PMS is headaches before your period starts. PMS headaches are very different from period migraines. If you’re not sure which one you’re dealing with, get evaluated your symptoms it will help you determine what you are dealing with.
Menstrual migraine symptoms:
PMS headache symptoms:
Fatigue
Acne
Joint pain
Constipation
Desire
4. Treatment is available for period migraines.
Do not be discouraged if it turns out that you suffer from period migraines. There are both relief and treatment available. Your options include:
Medicines without a prescription
Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen can help reduce the severity of a migraine. Some women who experience period migraines will take ibuprofen on a pre-set schedule before the onset of pain to provide preventative relief.
Prescription Drugs
There are a wide variety of prescription medications available to help relieve migraine pain. If over-the-counter medications don’t seem to help, be sure to talk to your doctor about prescription options.
Changing hormonal methods of birth control
Hormonal birth control methods, by definition, affect hormone levels. The change in hormone levels resulting from the treatment could trigger period migraines. Women who experience period migraines and who are also taking hormonal birth control may need to switch to a birth control method with a different dose of hormones to avoid migraines. Be sure to talk to your doctor to discover the best alternative methods for you.
Natural remedies
Certain vitamins and supplements have been found to reduce hormone-induced migraines, including vitamin b-2, coenzyme Q1, butter and magnesium. Regular exercise can also help, but be sure to start slow and listen to your body to make sure it’s up to the job. Yoga and meditation are other, less strenuous options that can help you feel better. Experimenting with different treatment options can help you find the best treatment to reduce or manage migraines. If over-the-counter medications or natural remedies don’t work, you should make an appointment with your doctor to find the solution that works best for you.
The Kaldas Center is here to help.
No two menstrual periods are the same. If you are experiencing abnormal, extremely painful periods with symptoms such as period migraines, we are here to help. Call the Kaldas Center at 920-886-2299 to start a conversation about your health and develop a path to life-changing wellness and relief.
