A migraine is a severe headache that can be triggered by a number of factors including hormone fluctuations. As a result, some women experience a migraine before or during menstruation. Taking an over-the-counter analgesic and resting is usually enough to alleviate symptoms, but if you frequently suffer from menstrual migraines, your doctor may prescribe prophylactic treatments to reduce their occurrence. A herb known as feverfew is also used to prevent migraines though studies specifically evaluating its effectiveness for menstrual migraines are lacking. Get medical advice before using this herb.
Properties and Potential Benefits
The leaves of the feverfew plant are used to treat a number of conditions including arthritis, psoriasis and painful menstruation, but the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that it primarily used as a migraine treatment and may help reduce the frequency of attacks. It contains a number of active compounds, although one in particular, known as parthenolide, likely confers this herb's therapeutic effects.
Administration
The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that feverfew should be taken in capsules or tablets since chewing fresh feverfew leaves or taking this herb as a tea may cause mouth ulcers. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that 50mg to 80mg per day is sometimes used to help prevent a migraine. This dosage is only intended to be guideline. Ask your healthcare provider whether it is right for you.
Effectiveness
Studies examining the role of feverfew in the treatment of menstrual migraines are lacking. However, the results of a clinical study published in the November 2005 issue of "Cephalalgia" show that taking 6.25mg of feverfew three times daily reduced migraine frequency from 4.76 to 2.86 attacks per month. In contrast, an analysis of data from five clinical trials, published in the 2004 "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" concludes that there is not enough evidence to show that feverfew is more effective than placebo treatments.
Safety Considerations
The drug information website, RxList, states that using feverfew for up to four months is likely safe for most people but adds that it may cause side effects including heartburn, constipation, weight gain, stiff joints, nausea and vomiting. Don't take feverfew if you are allergic to similar plants such as daisies and marigolds. Also avoid this herb if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and don't use it alongside anticoagulant medicines.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Migraine Headache
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Feverfew
- "Cephalalgia"; Efficacy and Safety of 6.25 mg t.i.d. Feverfew CO2-Extract (MIG-99) in Migraine Prevention--A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicentre, Placebo-Controlled Study; H.C Diener, et al.; November 2005
- "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews"; Feverfew for Preventing Migraine; M.H. Pittler and E. Ernst; 2004
- RxList: Feverfew
