As if women don’t have enough pre-menstrual issues to deal with like bloating and irritability, now you are hit with menstrual migraines. All these unfortunate maladies are caused by those pesky female hormones. If you are a new victim or have been wondering about these especially painful headaches, keep reading. We will help with understanding menstrual migraines, including causes and symptoms.
Migraines vs. Menstrual Migraines
Menstrual migraines occur just a few days before the onset of a woman’s period and last a few days into the period. So the migraine begins before and continues during the period, but this migraine is worse than a typical one. 
Not all women have these headaches, but about 60% do. They seem to occur due to a rapid drop in the hormones estrogen and progesterone just before menstruation. In addition, the symptoms are much worse than a normal migraine, and they don’t always respond to the same kinds of medications.
What Are Symptoms of Menstrual Migraines?
You can recognize a menstrual migraine if you have throbbing and pulsating pain. You can also expect the following symptoms:
- Sensitivity to light, smells, and sounds
- Loss of appetite
- Blurred vision
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- A tender sore scalp
- Nausea and vomiting with upset stomach
- Abdominal pain
- Sweating and chills
- Pain can be dull or very severe
You may notice that headaches get worse if you are taking birth control pills or HRT since they cause hormone fluctuations like estrogen. Let your healthcare provider know if this happens and they may switch up your medications.
Home Remedies for Menstrual Migraines
You can try some of these home remedies to prevent or ease the symptoms.
- Try ice or an ice pack inside a cloth and hold it next to the most painful area on your head.
- Limit the amount of salt and salty foods you eat especially around the time of your period.
- Give acupuncture a try which can lead to less tension in your body and help to prevent migraines.
- Biofeedback may help lessen headaches by helping you monitor how your body responds to stress.
- The antioxidant Coenzyme Q10 may help to prevent migraines.
Management and Treatment for Menstrual Migraines in Birmingham, AL
Not all medications work for menstrual migraines. It is best to work with your doctor to find what is best for you. The main takeaway is that you don’t have to live with menstrual migraines.
Contact Birmingham OBGYN at (205) 933-8334 for a complete consultation and suggested treatments if you are having migraine headaches before and during your period.
Sources:
Headaches and hormones: What’s the connection? – Mayo Clinic
Hormonal Headaches and Menstrual Migraines (webmd.com)
Menstrual Migraine Treatment and Prevention | AMF (americanmigrainefoundation.org)