Anyone who has ever experienced a migraine knows that they can be excruciating and debilitating. According to the Mayo Clinic, women are three times more likely than men to suffer from migraines. Some of these women experience their worst and lengthiest migraine attacks near the time of menstruation.
Types of Menstrual Migraines
According to a report by Fox News, a pure menstrual migraine is one that only occurs right before a woman’s period or during the first few days of menstruation. A menstrual-related migraine can occur during other times of the month, but is still likely related to shifts in hormone levels. Menstrual migraines can be more severe than regular migraines, and they can last up to 72 hours.
Migraine Headache Symptoms
The symptoms for a menstrual migraine headache are the same as those for a regular migraine. Leading up to a migraine, a woman might notice a visual disturbance called an aura. Auras can manifest in many ways, including blurry vision, a blind spot, or “seeing stars.” Only some migraine-sufferers experience them. When the migraine begins, symptoms typically worsen over time, and can include the following.
- moderate or severe pain, often in only one region of the head
- pain that becomes worse with activity
- nausea, and even vomiting
- sensitivity to noise and light
- fatigue, weakness, dizziness, tingling
- chills or sweating
- lack of concentration
Menstrual Migraine Triggers
Menstrual migraines are thought to be triggered, in part, by fluctuations in estrogen. For some women, oral contraceptives or hormone therapy can worsen migraines, but for others, these medications can help. Numerous other migraine triggers can work in conjunction with hormone changes, including the following.
- environmental factors, such as barometric pressure or changes in temperature
- lack of sleep, or excessive sleep
- physical activity
- stress
- certain foods, including alcohol, chocolate, aspartame, and MSG
- changes in diet or meal times
- exposure to bright lights or certain smells
Menstrual Migraine Treatment and Prevention
There is no cure for a woman who suffers from menstrual migraines, but there are medications that can help manage the severity and frequency. A doctor might recommend taking over-the-counter pain medications as soon as the attack begins. There are also numerous prescription medications that a woman could take to prevent or stop an attack in the early stages. Some women choose to explore alternative headache treatments, such as acupuncture.
Some other prescription medications can help prevent migraines when taken on a regular basis, including certain antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and seizure medications. Women can take other steps to prevent attacks from occurring by trying some of the following strategies.
- practicing relaxation techniques to reduce stress
- keeping track of menstrual migraines to determine potential migraine triggers
- maintaining a regular sleep schedule
Menstrual migraines can be agonizing, but women don’t have to suffer without treatment. A woman experiencing these headaches should see her doctor to discuss treatment options.
Lindsay Kahl - Lindsay Kahl has several years of experience providing behavior therapy to children with autism. Her long-time interests include autism, ...
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