Migraine headaches are neurological problems that can cause very severe symptoms. A migraine headache can strike at any time but typically occurs regularly--whether it's once a week or once a month--and can be debilitating. Menstrual migraines are those that occur during a woman's menstrual cycle. As many as 60 percent of women experience menstrual migraines, according to the National Pain Foundation, only though only a small number of those--10 to 15 percent--actually have migraines during menstruation. Most of the time, they happen before or after menstruation begins or when a woman ovulates.
Cause of Menstrual Migraines
So what is it about menstruation that triggers a migraine? The hormone estrogen is related to pain, and when estrogen levels drop around the time of menstruation, a woman is more susceptible to pain. Taking estrogen-based birth control pills cause a steeper drop in the hormone just before menstruation and can therefore make menstrual migraines worse.
How Symptoms Differ
Menstrual migraines can feel different than regular migraines. Menstrual migraines tend to cause more severe pain and symptoms, and those symptoms may persist for longer than usual--as long as 72 hours, says MenstrualMigraine.org. Most commonly, menstrual migraines occur in addition to vomiting and nausea. Menstrual migraines may also strike with greater frequency than regular migraines and be less responsive to treatment.
Headache Pain
As with any migraine, a headache is generally the main symptom. Menstrual migraines may occur with or without aura and typically start on just one side of the head. The pain is a pounding or throbbing sensation.
Sensitivity
Menstrual migraines also cause increased sensitivity to stimulus, including bright lights and loud sounds. You may find that you can't keep your eyes open to lights, even regular sunshine, and that the slightest noise can worsen your headache. Exposure to stimuli can make your head pound even more.
Other Symptoms
A menstrual migraine can make your whole body hurt, causing general aches and pains in the joints and muscles. They can also cause extreme fatigue. You may also notice that you're having irregular bowel movements and urination while also having a greater appetite. Some women also crave alcohol, salty foods and chocolate. Menstrual migraines can also leave you feeling clumsy and uncoordinated.
Treating Menstrual Migraines
Medications can be the most effective treatment for menstrual migraines. Migraine medications, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, triptans and ergotamine, can help ease menstrual migraines--some can also be taken to help prevent them. Some women may need hormone therapy to stabilize hormone levels and help to prevent menstrual migraines.
