Is Your Period Giving You a Migraine?
January 29, 2008
Millions of women around the world suffer from migraines. Unfortunately, there are dozens of different types of migraines so correctly diagnosing the type of migraine and curing it are very difficult and rarely accomplished.
For millions of women PMS is synonymous with fatigue, mood swings, cramping, irritability, bloating… the list could go on and on! Unfortunately, a large population of women also experience migraines both pre-menstrual and during the menstrual cycle as well. Some women may experience these migraines but not see any connection. It is helpful to mark on your calendar both the days of your period, and all days you experience migraine to look for possible patterns. The patterns will be there. Migraines before and during your period are caused by the changes in the hormones and hormone levels during the cycle. In order to reduce menstrual migraines, the key is to keep the hormones as level as possible.
Here are the top ways to end menstrual migraines:
* Use alternative forms of birth control.
Female birth control such as the birth control pill, the birth control patch (and others) alter the hormones in the female body, and cause hormone levels to fluctuate during the “placebo week” (the time the hormone is not being ingested to allow for a menstrual cycle).
* If you are on the birth control pill, use lower hormone level pills.
Talk to your gynecologist to ensure you are taking the birth control pill with the lowest hormone levels possible (while still being effective).
* Consult your doctor about reducing your number of menstrual cycles.
Birth control pills such as Seasonale are formulated for just 4 periods a year. Reducing your number of periods reduces your menstrual migraines.
* Prescription medication specifically for menstrual migraine pain
There are prescription medications for migraine pain made to deal specifically with menstrual migraines (such as Frova). Talk with your doctor about what options are available to you.
* Buy organic!
If you’re not buying organic milk, you’re very likely ingesting hormones and antibiotics with every glass of milk you drink. Farmers who mass produce milk feed antibiotics to their cows to help fight off diseases that could cause lower production. Ingesting additional hormones only adds to fluctuating hormone levels in your body. Buy organic milk, dairy products, and beef.
If you find yourself with a menstrual migraine before you’ve been able to act on the tips above there are many natural remedies to aid in migraine pain relief. Deep breathing techniques used in both yoga and meditation forces the brain to focus on the breath instead of the pain, while simultaneously relaxing the body. Massage and acupressure can be applied by another, or you can do these for yourself. Ice applied to the neck or a cold compress to the head are both popular migraine pain relievers. You can apply peppermint oil to your temples for the migraine pain, and the aromatherapy is helpful for nausea. Always, rest and relaxation is the key.
If there is a silver lining at all to the cloud of menstrual migraines it could be these migraines don’t catch you by surprise! If your cycles are regular you’ll be able to predict when the menstrual migraines will occur, and can work with your doctor(s) to prevent the migraines.
Sarah Swanson is a fellow migraine sufferer. With years of migraine research, and real life experience she understands how important it is for migraine sufferers to be as informed as possible. Sarah has authored numerous articles and books about migraines to inform and empower fellow migraine sufferers. For more information on migraines, or to contact the author visit http://www.myspace.com/nomoremigraine
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