Ah, the wonders of menstruation. As cool as the female body can be, it can also come with a whole lot of hiccups.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve made it here, chances are you\u2019ve experienced a few periods in your day and are wondering how to make them more manageable, comfortable, and possibly even enjoyable. That\u2019s especially true if you experience PMS or period pain or discomfort, whether that be cramps, bloating, and in some cases \u2013 migraines.<\/p>\n
Migraines are more than a bad headache, it is an actual neurological disorder that can greatly affect someone\u2019s well-being and lifestyle. About 70% of people who experience migraines are cis-women or AFAB (assigned female at birth). Of these people, between 60% to 70% of them say that their migraines tend to coincide with their period.<\/p>\n
This is what\u2019s called a menstrual migraine, also known as a hormonal migraine. They tend to occur up to three days before or during your period and may last for two or three days. Ouch! For some people, this happens every month, while others they only get them occasionally.<\/p>\n
Symptoms of a menstrual migraine may include:<\/p>\n
\u25cf Dizziness
\n\u25cf Fatigue
\n\u25cf Severe pulsing headache
\n\u25cf Dull throbbing headache
\n\u25cf Sensitivity to light
\n\u25cf Loss of appetite
\n\u25cf Tender scalp
\n\u25cf Sensitivity to noise
\n\u25cf Sweating or chills
\n\u25cf Nausea and vomiting
\n\u25cf Pain on one side of your head<\/p>\n
Menstruation isn\u2019t the only cause of hormonal migraines. They can also occur for people during menopause. One possible treatment for migraines during menopause is hormone replacement therapy to supplement low estrogen levels.<\/p>\n
Your endocrine system regulates your body\u2019s chemical messengers, also known as hormones. When your hormones are off balance they can lead to all sorts of issues including thyroid disorders, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), and other menstrual disorders.<\/p>\n
Hormone levels fluctuate all the time, especially for people who menstruate. The main hormones we see fluctuating during the hormonal cycle are progesterone and estrogen. Estrogen steadily decreases in the second half of your menstrual cycle, reaching its lowest point during your period.<\/p>\n
This drop in estrogen is the main culprit when it comes to hormonal migraines. Many people who get hormonal migraines during PMS get them when estrogen levels are at the lowest point in their cycle.<\/p>\n
Some people experience hormonal migraines after starting new hormonal birth control. If this happens to you, you may want to ask your provider about switching or going off hormonal birth control altogether.<\/p>\n
Migraines are not something to take lightly. Before beginning any sort of treatment protocol, it\u2019s important to see your provider for a proper diagnosis.<\/p>\n
They will assess self-reported symptoms, the severity and frequency of your migraines if anything triggers them besides your menstrual cycle, and what you normally do to treat them. It may be necessary to perform CT or MRI imaging and take blood tests to rule out other potential causes of your migraines.<\/p>\n
The most common treatments for immediate menstrual migraine relief includes include:<\/p>\n
\u25cf Taking NSAID pain relievers like Ibuprofen and Naproxen
\n\u25cf Resting and getting enough sleep
\n\u25cf Avoiding light and noise
\n\u25cf Taking magnesium supplements (which can also help with cramps)
\n\u25cf Staying hydrated
\n\u25cf Limiting alcohol
\n\u25cf Limiting caffeine, although for some people it helps with migraines
\n\u25cf Using a cold or hot compress
\n\u25cf Acupressure and massage
\n\u25cf Taking a warm bath (with the lights off)
\n\u25cf Practice relaxation techniques, like breathing exercises<\/p>\n
If you normally get migraines at the same time before or during your period, you can take NSAID pain relievers ahead of time and avoid any other known triggers like movement or excess screen time.<\/p>\n
For people who get frequent migraines, whether they\u2019re hormonal or not, there are some more long-term treatment options. Some people have found relief from frequent migraines through the use of:<\/p>\n
\u25cf Botox injections
\n\u25cf Anti-seizure drugs
\n\u25cf Certain blood pressure medications
\n\u25cf Avoiding any food intolerances
\n\u25cf Acupuncture and other Chinese Medicine Tools
\n\u25cf Managing stress levels
\n\u25cf Regulate blood sugar levels by eating regularly and maintaining a balanced diet
\n\u25cf Biofeedback therapy
\n\u25cf Regular yoga or stretching<\/p>\n
Unless there is an underlying disorder that is to blame, menstrual migraines do not cause long term harm. They are, however, incredibly painful and difficult to deal with while they\u2019re happening. Some causes for concern include if the frequency or severity of your migraines increases, you\u2019re experiencing new side effects, or if your medications or normal tools aren\u2019t working anymore.<\/p>\n
Do you ever need to go to the emergency room for a menstrual migraine? If you experience on of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately:<\/p>\n
\u25cf Seizures
\n\u25cf Confusion or difficulty speaking
\n\u25cf Numbing or tingling sensations
\n\u25cf Vision problems<\/p>\n
Menstrual migraines can make it nearly impossible to get anything done before or during your period. If you can, take time to rest and nourish your body. As frustrating and painful as they can be, rest is often the best tool to nip migraines in the bud, along with taking steps to prevent them from happening again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ah, the wonders of menstruation. As cool as the female body can be, it can also come with a whole lot of hiccups. If you\u2019ve made it here, chances are…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":21341,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n