Menstrual migraines are caused by hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, with a drop in estrogen levels leading to negative effects on brain activity. Treatment involves NSAIDs or prescription drugs, and preventative measures include increasing water intake and avoiding triggers. Prescription treatment is not recommended during pregnancy.
Migraines that result from the hormonal fluctuation associated with menstruation are known as menstrual migraines. Menstrual migraines, also known as hormonal migraines, are linked to the temporary decrease in hormone levels that accompany the onset of a woman’s menstrual cycle. Treatment for menstrual migraine usually involves the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), although other prescription drugs may also be used.
Research has shown that there is a direct correlation between migraine development and a woman’s menstrual cycle. Before the onset of monthly menstruation, a woman’s estrogen levels drop considerably, offsetting the natural balance between estrogen and progesterone levels. The disruption in hormone levels triggered by the decrease in estrogen negatively affects brain activity, which leads to the onset of a hormonal migraine.
Unlike traditional migraines, menstrual migraines are usually not preceded by any visual disturbance, known as an aura. Hormonal migraines can vary in intensity, with the pain located in the back of the neck and head or behind the eyes. Migraine usually occurs in the same location with each episode and involves pounding or throbbing sensations. The duration of migraine can vary and last from a few hours to several days.
A woman who develops a menstrual migraine can experience a variety of symptoms. Sensations of sensitivity to visual and auditory stimuli or a tingling or numbness sensation may indicate the onset of a menstrual migraine. A hormonal migraine can also induce symptoms which include loss of appetite, fatigue and sweating. Once the migraine has subsided, residual effects may persist and may include neck discomfort and lack of mental clarity.
Because of their predictability, menstrual migraines are usually easy to diagnose and treat. During an office visit, a doctor typically asks a series of questions to determine when symptoms occur, possible symptom triggers, and family history. A physical exam may be conducted to rule out the existence of a secondary condition and verify a diagnosis of hormonal migraine. There are no diagnostic tests that can be administered to confirm the onset of a menstrual migraine.
Treatment for menstrual migraine generally involves the use of NSAID pain relievers or, in some cases, prescription drugs. It is commonly recommended that women with menstrual migraine take an NSAID drug at least three days before their menstrual period and continue NSAID use until the end of the month’s cycle. In addition to using an NSAID drug, people with hormonal migraines should increase their water intake to prevent dehydration, avoid additional triggers, and get enough rest.
Women experiencing severe menstrual migraines may be prescribed medications that include anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. These medications help relieve the increased stress placed on the heart and blood pressure that occurs during the development of migraines and work to help prevent migraines from occurring. Prescription medications are used to reduce the intensity and occurrence of migraines and should be taken as directed. The use of diuretics and the limitation of salt intake are also recommended to prevent the onset of hormonal migraines.
Prescription treatment is not recommended during pregnancy due to the adverse effects such drugs can have on the fetus. Pregnant women who experience hormonal migraines during the first trimester can be given a mild over-the-counter pain reliever to ease the discomfort. Postmenopausal women suffering from hormonal migraines due to estrogen imbalance may be prescribed an estrogen patch which, when used correctly, stabilizes estrogen levels and prevents the onset of migraines. Complications associated with a menstrual migraine can include stroke and side effects associated with the use of prescription drugs.
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