How to Deal With Hormonal Migraines
Are the headaches you are having really hormonal migraines? If you tend to get these headaches just before you menstruate, it is a good chance that you are experiencing migraines caused by changes in hormones. These types of headaches are fairly common with women, and they can be some of the most painful headaches you have ever experienced.
Symptoms of hormonal migraines include pain on one or both sides of the head that seems to increase with bright light or loud noises. This type of headache also tends to make you very irritable and fatigued. If you experience these symptoms just before or during your period, then you are likely suffering from headaches caused by changing hormones.
Hormonal migraines are caused by a drop in the estrogen level that will occur just before or during your monthly period. When the estrogen level drops this will cause the blood vessels in the brain to contract, which is what causes the pain. Although the headache is the result of the migraine, a migraine is actually a medical disorder that is a lot more serious that the headache you might get from drinking too much alcohol, or not getting enough sleep.
Hormonal migraines are so common that it is estimated that at least 70% of all women experience these headaches before, during and even after menstruation. There are actually two types of migraines that are associated with hormone changes, there is the menstruation headache that will usually occur just before or during your period, there is also the premenstrual headache that will occur as much as much as 7 days prior to your period.
This type of headache can occur suddenly, or it may be predictable enough that you can pinpoint the day that you will suffer from one of these headaches. It is also possible that your chance of experiencing hormonal migraines will increase with your age; women nearing menopause will frequently get headaches because of fluctuating hormones.
Some doctors recommend oral contraceptives to help control the hormone level and prevent hormonal migraines, though due to the potential side effects many women cannot use oral contraceptives. Other medications that are used to control these headaches include anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. Beta-blockers are also known to help prevent headaches that are caused by hormone changes. In severe cases where the headache is causing nausea and vomiting, it may be necessary to visit your doctor or the emergency room for treatment.
Although it is difficult to prevent hormonal migraines you can lessen their severity by using some medications. You might be able to lessen the frequency that you suffer from migraines by paying closer attention to your overall health, cut sugar and carbs from your diet, and look into some natural herbal supplements that can help regulate your hormone levels.
In most cases the headache will not go away on its own for several hours, and possibly even a day or two. It is not recommended that you allow the headache to continue; the longer you have the headache, the more traumatic it is for your body.
If you suffer from painful and disabling hormonal migraines you will want to contact your doctor to find out what your treatment options are.