Ever found yourself with a huge headache only when it is that time of the month or during that time of the month? Well, it could be that you may be suffering from menstrual migraine without you even knowing it.
According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS), more than half of females with migraine notice a connection between their symptoms and their menstrual cycle.
Menstrual migraine is described by Cleveland Clinic as “a menstrual migraine or hormone headache.” Which “starts before or during a woman’s period and can happen every month.”
According to Cleveland Clinic this type of disorder can be identified through common symptoms including a dull throbbing or severe pulsing headache, sensitivity to light, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and more. “There are treatment and prevention options you can try.”
Below are tips on how to prevent menstrual migraine according to Medical News Today
It is important to note that there is no cure for migraine, however there are ways to reduce the number of episodes.
Anyone with menstrual migraine should try to prevent sudden drops in estrogen levels. A person’s options might include:
- Switching birth control types: This might involve taking a different type of pill or opting for an implant, for example. It may be an especially good idea to switch to a continuous form of birth control — one that does not involve a weekly break.
- Trying estrogen gel or patches: A doctor may prescribe these for people with regular periods. A person applies the gel or patch before their period to prevent a drop in estrogen.
- Using hormone replacement therapy: This is not a treatment for menstrual migraine — it treats symptoms commonly associated with perimenopause or menopause. As an added benefit, a person might find that it relieves their menstrual migraine. However, for some people, it makes migraine episodes worse.
It is important to note that a person who has migraine with aura should not be taking birth control that contains estrogen. In general, anyone who experiences aura should let their doctor know.
Other migraine prevention strategies include:
- Identifying other triggers: Avoiding triggers, when possible, is key. It may help to keep a diary of migraine symptoms and any possible triggers, such as foods and stress levels. Over time, a pattern may emerge.
- Addressing deficiencies: According to research, specific nutritional deficiencies may increase the risk of headaches and migraine. Taking magnesium, in particular, may work as a preventive treatment.
- Taking other medications: Some people find that certain antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and beta-blockers help with migraine.
- Receiving specialist treatments: These include procedures such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and Botox. They tend to be less widely available than medications.
- Using complementary therapies: Acupuncture and biofeedback are helpful for some people with migraine. They work best alongside more standard treatments.
It is important to be aware of the possible side effects and interactions of any drug or supplement and to consult a doctor before trying a new approach.
Another important key factor is to talk to your doctor or specialist if your migraine is getting worse as they could provide you with an effective treatment plan.
Also see: Home Remedies to relieve period pains
