Hormonal Migraines: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

Introduction

Did you know headaches can happen for many reasons like stress, change in environment, our diet, or even what our family called genetics? But for girls and women, one big reason is hormones, which are chemical messengers important for development and growth. These hormonal headaches often show up before or during a period, but they can also occur during pregnancy, menopause (a stage where periods stop), or even because of certain medicines. Want to know more - How does it happen? How do doctors find out? And most importantly, how can one feel better? Let’s find out!

What Are Hormonal Migraines?

A hormonal or menstrual migraine is a special headache that occurs when special body messengers called hormones fluctuate. It occurs two days before the period and can extend up to three days during the period. They can be triggered by moving too much, bright lights, strong smells, or loud sounds. Guess what? 70 % of people who get migraines are women, and most of the women feel it during their period!

Scientists say a special hormone called estrogen (which helps with periods and pregnancy) can drop suddenly and make the brain release headache-causing chemicals. So, how is a hormonal migraine different from a regular migraine? Let’s learn here:

• Hormonal migraines happen due to fluctuations in the hormone level. On the other hand, regular migraines can happen at any time.

• Hormonal migraines are stronger and last longer than regular migraines.

• Hormonal migraines don’t always get better with normal migraine medicine.

What Causes Hormonal Migraines?

Hormonal headaches are usually caused by drops in estrogen and progesterone levels; these hormones control chemicals in the brain and make sure to keep the pain away! Let’s learn how this affects each stage of women’s life.

• Menstrual Cycle: Estrogen and progesterone drop to the lowest just before the start of the menstrual cycle, triggering headaches.

• Pregnancy: Hormonal headaches fade away during pregnancy as estrogen levels rise rapidly during pregnancy. Very few women experience migraine during the first trimester, and they fade away. However, the estrogen level drops rapidly after labor, resulting in a hormonal headache.

• Perimenopause and Menopause: During perimenopause (a phase before the periods stop), hormones fluctuate, which may worsen the headaches. And migraines may become less during late menopause.

• Oral Contraceptive and Hormonal Replacement Therapy: Birth control pills and hormonal replacement therapy can cause hormone fluctuations leading to migraine attacks.

• Oophorectomy: Removal of ovaries can also lead to a drop in estrogen levels, resulting in hormonal headaches.

In addition to hormonal fluctuation, other factors can also cause hormonal migraines, which are:

• Skipping meals.

• Getting too much or inadequate sleep.

• Intense light and sound.

• Severe weather changes.

• Alcohol.

• Too much caffeine or sudden withdrawal of caffeine.

• Stress.

• Foods like processed meat, hard sausages, smoked fish, aged cheese, and soy products.

• Flavor enhancers and artificial sweeteners.

Symptoms of Hormonal Migraines

When a period headache or hormonal migraine shows up, this is how you might feel:

• Throbbing headache on one or both sides.

• Aura before the headache.

• Feeling very warm or cold.

• Nausea or vomiting.

• Noise, light, and smell sensitivity.

• Tender scalp.

• Appetite loss.

• Pale skin.

• Belly pain.

• Blurred vision.

• Dizziness.

• Diarrhea or fever.

• Fatigue.

Premenstrual Headaches Can Also Show Symptoms Such As:

• Headaches.

• Fatigue.

• Acne.

• Joint pain.

• Peeing less.

• Constipation.

• Lack of coordination.

• Bigger appetite.

Diagnosing Hormonal Migraines

The doctor will ask you a lot of questions like:

• Describe the location of the headaches and the severity of the headache, whether it is throbbing, pulsating, or pounding pain.

• How often do migraine headaches occur?

• Anything that worsens or improves the headache.

• What medications can relieve the pain, and how often it is taken?

• What triggers the headaches? Keeping a migraine journal can help.

• Family history of migraine headaches.

The doctor may also recommend blood tests and special scans, such as a CT scan (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), to examine your brain and rule out any other causes of the headache. An EEG (electroencephalogram) may also be recommended to rule out seizures.

Hormonal Migraine Treatment Options

Don’t worry, many treatment options can help in reducing the headaches, such as:

• Menstrual migraine is usually treated with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as Ketoprofen, Ibuprofen, Fenoprofen calcium, and the like. Treatment with NSAIDs should begin two or three days before the menstrual cycle and should be continued throughout the cycle to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.

• Triptans, a selective serotonin receptor agonist, can be used in acute migraine treatment.

• Anti-nausea medications and gepants (a class of drugs that block the calcitonin gene-related peptide) may also be prescribed.

• People who experience frequent hormonal headaches may use preventive and medication therapy such as beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers, and antidepressants.

• The doctor may suggest hormone therapy if the preventive medications are unsuccessful. The person may be prescribed estrogen daily through pills or a patch.

• Oral supplements of Magnesium or Riboflavin can also prevent hormonal migraines.

Natural Remedies and Lifestyle Changes

Some natural remedies that help reduce hormonal headaches are:

• Drinking plenty of water.

• Eating well.

• Regular exercises.

• Resting in a dark and silent room.

• Massage the area of pain.

• Practice deep breathing and relaxation exercises.

• Maintaining sleep hygiene.

• Essential oils like peppermint oil can reduce the pain.

• Using icepacks.

• Undergoing acupuncture therapy (a Chinese therapy where needles are inserted inside the body).

Birth Control and Hormonal Migraines

Hormonal contraceptive methods such as birth control pills, patches, or vaginal rings might change one's headache patterns by improving or worsening them. Some hormonal contraceptive pills can help reduce the severity and frequency of menstrual-related migraines by minimizing the estrogen drop associated with menstrual cycles. But some may worsen it! One should always consult a doctor about contraceptive options if one has migraines.

Choosing the right contraceptive usually depends on the type of migraine and other factors. A combined pill is considered mostly safe in case of migraine without aura but is not recommended for migraine with aura. At the same time, a progestogen-only pill is safe for both migraine with and without aura.

When to See a Doctor?

Sometimes, migraines can give you a tough time, and it becomes important to see a doctor. Here is when you should book an appointment:

• The migraines become stronger, making it hard to do daily things.

• More frequent migraines.

• Medications are not helping them.

• Experiencing new symptoms.

• Changes in the menstrual cycle.

Conclusion

Hormonal or menstrual headaches are like unwanted guests that show up when there is a drop in estrogen hormone. This happens mostly to women. These headaches usually occur during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Hormonal headaches usually occur two to three days just before and during the menstrual cycle and during phases whenever there is a fluctuation of hormones. But don’t worry, these can be treated! Doctors might give you medicines and inform you about some home remedies and lifestyle changes.

Key Takeaway From iCliniq

At iCliniq, doctors can help you treat hormonal migraines. We know why it can be really tough for women! You might wonder, why only women? It is because of their hormonal fluctuations. A special hormone called estrogen drops at the start of a period. But guess what? Hormones can change at other times, too, like during pregnancy, menopause, or when taking certain medicines.

If your headaches are getting worse, don’t wait! We at iCliniq can help you feel better.