Have you ever thought that your menstrual cycle could be the cause of a migraine? The drop in the estrogen that women experience during their menstrual cycle have been found to be a migraine trigger among women who are migraine sufferers. The migraines can occur before, during and immediately after ovulation and affect about 60% of women who are migraines sufferers. Since the onset of menstrual migraines is estrogen related women who take birth control pills may experience even more frequent migraines since birth control pills affect estrogen levels.

So let’s talk symptoms. If you have ever experienced a migraine you know the symptoms. They will be the same as with any other migraine. Sensitivity to light, throbbing on one side of the head, vomiting and nausea are common signs of a migraine headache. Are these your symptoms? If you are saying no chances are you may be experiencing a PMS headache instead. A PMS headache may include symptoms of joint pain, tiredness, odd cravings, head pain, decreased urination and even constipation. These headaches also occur during the monthly menstrual cycle.

Menstrual Migraine Help:
Your doctor may recommend a medication called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication also called NSAIDs. Advil, Motrin, Orudis and Nalfon are popular menstrual migraine medications. Your doctor will suggest you start taking the treatment a few days before you period begins and during it. Stop taking the medication when your period ends. For more sever menstrual migraines there is help in the form of a doctor prescribed pill. Ergotamine, beta-blockers, anticonvulsants and calcium channel blockers are some of the choices your doctor may be looking at prescribing for you. These are usually taken in the same manner as NSAIDs(before and during your period, stopping dosage when your period ends). Hormonal therapy is usually considered when other methods have failed. As far as a preventative medication, the triptans have been effective in fighting the menstrual related migraine.

If you think you may be menstrual migraine sufferer, schedule an appointment with your doctor for an assessment. Starting a journal with your monthly migraine symptoms is a great start of action and can help your doctor in identifying your migraine type. Use it to keep track of your menstrual cycle and any symptoms you may have associated with your headaches. This is greatly effective in treatment planning.

Just know that there are treatments and preventatives that can help you manage your menstrual migraine. Don’t suffer and be silent about it, your doctor can help!