Menstruation is not just a cycle for your uterus; it’s a complex monthly event involving your ovaries, uterus, and brain. 80% of women have migraines during their periods. Migraines commonly occur in the days before your period is due to start and can continue through the start of your period. While most women experience at least one migraine per month, some women may suffer from migraines up to 20 times per month.
A menstrual migraine also referred to as a menstrual disorder, is a type of headache that affects women during their period. Menstruation migraines are worse during menstruation and lessen during the rest of the month, though sometimes they can last the entire period.
Causes Of Menstrual Migraine
*Birth Control
There are many causes of menstrual migraine, but overuse of birth control pills is by far the most common. Birth control pills are hormonal pills that stop your menstrual cycle and are often used to regulate periods. However, many women experience menstrual migraines while on the pill. Those symptoms include headaches, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.
* Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormonal changes that usually occur during the menstrual cycle, such as changes in hormones, can cause migraines. If you’re prone to migraines, you’re most likely aware of the typical symptoms, such as sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, vomiting, extreme head pain, and even seizures.
* Menopause
Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation, and it happens around the age of 50. Menopause and menstrual migraine often go hand in hand. Although menstrual migraine — a migraine with symptoms of cramps, headache, nausea, and nausea — is less common than migraine without aura, it can still occur before, during, and after menopause.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Menstrual Migraine?
A menstrual migraine, also known as a premenstrual dysphoric disorder, is an extreme form of period-related pain and anxiety. These migraines occur when women have their period. Unlike traditional migraines, menstrual migraines occur either during the two weeks before a woman’s period or during her period. The pain from these migraines is severe enough to disrupt daily activities.
Additionally, women who experience these migraines often experience other painful symptoms, including:
– increased sensitivity to light and sound
– dizziness
– anxiety
– depression
– fatigue
– nausea
-Tender scalp
-Loss of appetite
-Pale skin color (pallor)
-Feeling tired
-Diarrhea or fever
Medical Treatments For Menstrual Migraine
The treatment generally involves medication, which, when taken regularly, can reduce the frequency and severity of your migraines. Unfortunately, these medications, called “antiepileptic drugs” and “antidepressants,” can have undesirable side effects.
NSAIDs
Menstruating women often suffer from migraines, and the pain can be debilitating. Fortunately, there are natural options for menstrual migraine relief, including NSAIDs. NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. These medicines are not your “typical” anti-inflammatory medicines, like ibuprofen or naproxen; they target the pain and inflammation specifically associated with migraines. NSAIDs for menstrual migraine relief may be especially helpful if you have worse headaches at certain times of the month.
Triptans or Ditans
Migraines, especially menstrual migraines, can be excruciating and often prevent sufferers from living their lives. Luckily, there are medications available to ease the pain. Triptans (such as sumatriptan) are often the first choice for women who experience migraine headaches. They work by blocking the impulses that travel between the nerves and the blood vessels in the head, which reduces the pain.
Migraines are debilitating headaches that occur more than 15 days per month. Treatment options can include medication, behavioral therapy, and alternative treatments. While more common in women, migraines can occur in both men and women. Although there is no cure for migraines, medical treatments can help reduce migraine attacks’ frequency. If you’re looking for additional treatment options for menstrual migraine, you can check out migraine clinical trials at Power.
Home Remedies For Menstrual Migraine
Migraine headaches are often debilitating. The throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound may leave you unable to function. Fortunately, there are several medical treatments available that can help.
Try some of the following home remedies for migraine:
- Ice or heat: Because migraines are often food-related, applying an ice pack to your head within 10 minutes of the onset of symptoms may help. A warm compress can also alleviate the throbbing pain. You can also try alternating between ice and heat.
- Acupuncture: Acupuncture releases endorphins into your system, reducing pain. Those who experience migraines often do so due to stress. Acupuncture helps to relax the body and release tension.
- Herbal remedies: Herbs can help reduce the intensity of migraines. Use ginger to treat migraines, especially when the headaches are severe. Ginger helps to break up and expel the blockages in the arteries that supply blood to the brain. Peppermint, chamomile, and lavender
- Massage.
Some women who suffer from migraines find relief from monthly migraines with a massage. This form of holistic medicine aims to reduce muscle tension through kneading the soft tissues and manipulating the joints.