Headaches hurt and interrupt everyday life. There are several types: from a tension headache to a vascular type, one accompanying a cold or sinus infection, stress-induced headaches and those that are related to hormones. Although pounding heads affect many universally, women are most prone to migraines. Progesterone may cause, prevent and even alleviate headaches that are hormonally induced. When it is prescribed to help with infertility or to regulate menstruation for women, headaches can be a side effect.
Progesterone Explained
Progesterone is one of two female hormones produced naturally by the ovaries. Its level in the body in conjunction with estrogen allows women to have normal menstruation and bear children. Progesterone supplementation may be advised to bring on menstruation, in conjunction with fertility treatments, or after menopause. Additionally, progesterone may be taken orally, applied in a cream, used as a vaginal or rectal insert, or in transdermal patches.
Progesterone and Headaches
According to Women to Women's website, headaches and migraines that occur around menstruation might be due to dropping progesterone levels. Progesterone naturally dips right before a woman's period begins and stays low until menstruation ends. Sometimes women have headaches at the time of ovulation, which could be due to a drastic increase in estrogen making progesterone levels low in comparison.
Progesterone to Ease Headaches
Dr. Elizabeth Smith, a gynecologist and expert on progesterone, has been treating menstrual-related headaches successfully with progesterone since 1999. Yet, she cautions that knowing if the headache is caused by hormones is critical because a migraine will not be helped by progesterone if it just happens to coincide with your menstrual cycle. Migraines at menopause in particular may be helped with progesterone. Cream or oral progesterone can be used to treat headaches. Dr. John R. Lee and Virginia Hopkins from the Virginia Hopkins Health Watch website state that hormonal migraines are stopped when transdermal progesterone patches are applied to the neck and head area.
Progesterone Side Effects
Progesterone is sometimes prescribed for women who have been through menopause to prevent build-up of uterine tissue and counteract increased risk of uterine cancer when using estrogen. Women who stop menstruating during childbearing years may also be put on progesterone to reintroduce proper cycles. According to the National Institutes of Health, headache is a side effect of taking oral progesterone. So if you never experienced headaches but now do after being on progesterone for even a few days, check with your medical professional for advice.
