Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Menstrual migraine

Women suffer from migraines much more often than men, and 80 percent of them suffer from them every month during their premenstrual period, before it, or, sometimes, immediately after it, experiencing it as one of the symptoms of PMS. The reasons of headaches aren’t still completely clear, but hormones are considered to be the main reason that causes monthly migraines. Estrogen hormone controls elements in our brains that influence a women’s sensitivity to a pain, and when levels of estrogen unexpectedly change during the period, it usually provokes migraines. Those women, who take oral contraceptives, can experience stronger headaches because birth control pills influence estrogen levels.

Sometimes menstrual migraines are accompanied with nausea and sensitivity to bright light and loud sounds. During the PMS itself headaches can often occur together with other PMS symptoms, such as acne, muscle pain, fatigue, depressions, increase in appetite and cravings for various kinds of junk food, lack of attention and coordination.

So as menstrual migraines are rather predictable and expectable, one of the possibilities to cope with them is to try a preventive treatment. You may need it if your headache attacks are really severe. First of all you should consult with your doctor who will be able to give you some professional advice. Medication, which is usually used in such situations, usually includes naproxen sodium or another NSAID, a triptan (such as, for example, fravotriptan, naratriptan, sumatriptan or methylergonovine), DHE and magnesium. It will be much more helpful if you consult with your doctor concerning all these medication and precisely follow all the instructions he will give. NSAID treatment will be much more effective as preventive medication if to use it 24-48 hours before the time you expect migraines. The dose of medication also can be raised before the menstruation itself.

If you suffer from extra severe pains and ordinary methods of treatment are unsuccessful, you can try hormonal therapy. You can try medication that contains estrogen (estradiol is the most popular treatment in the situation of this kind).

When you go to a doctor with your migraines problem, he will certainly ask you to tell him some details; without this information he won’t be able to provide you with any helpful treatment. So to be able to answer the doctor’s questions you can create your headache diary, where you can write down you symptoms and frequency of your pains; and make your cycle calendar. You should always know what medication you are currently taking, because lots of drugs cannot be taken together at the same time.

You can also follow some simple natural tips, which can seriously relieve your migraine pains during the PMS and menstruation. First of all add more food containing magnesium to your diet and try to avoid alcohol and caffeine. Try some relaxation techniques and don’t forget that your body in general needs rest.

So we all are different and if one treatment cannot help, don’t give up, consult with your doctor – and you’ll certainly find something, which will help you to fight you migraines.