Sneha, a young mother, began to witness erratic periods a few months after giving birth. Her periods were always hassle-free; however, something changed for her after her pregnancy.
Every time, a few days before her periods she would get tormenting headaches that made even getting out of bed an ordeal! Headaches had always been a part of her life, but now they were more intense than ever. Along with the throbbing headaches, she experienced nausea, bloating, and an aversion to light. Sneha became paranoid and decided to pay her gynaecologist a visit, who then explained it all to her – due to fluctuating hormone levels in her body, she was suffering from menstrual migraines.
The gynaecologist prescribed some medicines and sent her home. Sneha was relieved to find out that it was not something life-threatening!
A study published in the Journal of Headache Pain revealed that 60% of women with migraines reported a link between their menses and migraine. Menstrual migraines are very common phenomena; yet, much like Sneha, a lot of us aren’t acquainted with them. Menstrual migraines are caused due to fluctuations in estrogen hormones. They’re similar to a regular migraine but are known to be more intense and severe.
Some symptoms include an aura before the headache (not experienced by everyone), throbbing pain, nausea, and sensitivity to sound and light. It can be tricky to recognize a menstrual migraine; so, let’s explore the types of migraines at different points in a menstruators life:
During Menstruation
These migraines may transpire anywhere between 2 days before the beginning of Menstruation and 3 days after its ending. For menstruators prone to having migraines, they may begin with their first-ever period or any time after.
During Perimenopause And Menopause
As a menstruator progresses towards their menopause, their hormones teeter between rise and falls. Therefore, migraines may become more severe and increase in frequency during perimenopause, which usually starts 4 years before menopause.
Pregnancy
Many women experience hormonal headaches especially during the first trimester of their pregnancy. The increase in blood volume can lead to a rise in hormone levels.
The Biology Behind It
These are some possible theories that may explain the occurrence of menstrual migraines:
- Our estrogen hormones peak and start creating progesterones or releasing eggs, which when left unfertilized, bring about menstruation and halt the production of the estrogens and progesterone. The estrogens also affect certain chemical mediators in the brain that widen the blood vessels, which is thought to cause migraines; therefore, leading to menstrual migraines.
- When the estrogen count is low, the body is more sensitive to pain as the estrogen is also responsible for chemicals in the brain that controls the perception of pain. This could explain why menstrual migraines may feel more terrible than normal for some women.
- Research that explored end menstrual migraines or migraines that occur after Menstruation states that hormones don’t mediate them. They’re the result of a brief loss in iron caused by blood loss during Menstruation – Anemia is often associated with headaches.
Tracking And Treatments
If you think you suffer from menstrual migraines then the first thing that you need to do is maintain a diary, tracking the days and duration of your menstruation and your migraines. This will help you figure out whether they occur coherently or otherwise.
If you are looking for remedies you can either do some research and resort to natural home-based treatments or/and contact your medical practitioner. Over-the-counter drugs, pain medications, relaxation exercises, acupuncture, preventive treatments, or hormonal contraception – there are a plethora of options available. You can find whatever is suitable for you with the advice of your doctor.
Lastly, if you are someone who is prone to having menstrual migraines, you can avoid the consumption of certain potential triggers such as little sleep, skipping meals, excessive caffeine, and alcohol.
My Takeaway
Arianna Sholes-Douglas, M.D. who is the author of The Menopause Myth says “Migraines are one of the most common disabling conditions in reproductive-age women, and menstruation may be one of the biggest triggers.”
However, there is a debate prevalent on whether menstrual migraines should be given a distinct clinical identity, or just consider menstruation as just a migraine trigger. But many women state that menstrual migraines are more debilitating than normal migraines, less responsive to medication, and last longer.
Menstruation comes with its fair share of qualms – of pain and discomfort. These qualms are hidden behind faces that say “I am okay”: a manifestation of the menstrual stigmas. This propriety results in individuals suffering in silence, unaware that their menstrual vain may have a name and a cure.