Perimenopause & Migraine

It's Not ALL in Your Head

Pulsating, throbbing, aching, nauseous, dizzy, noise/light sensitive. Yep, that's a migraine. If you've had one, you know it. There are many types of headaches, more than one of which are worsened by the fluctuating hormone levels associated with perimenopause. These can be the same type of headaches as those experienced during PMS - headaches right before your period, when hormone levels drop dramatically.

But here's the GOOD news: Often, women report that their migraines disappear once they reach menopause.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Headache through Hope document:

"The relationship between female hormones and migraine is still unclear. Women may have "menstrual migraine" - headaches around the time of their menstrual period - which may disappear during pregnancy. Other women develop migraine for the first time when they are pregnant. Some are first affected after menopause."The effect of oral contraceptives on headaches is perplexing. Scientists report that some women with migraine who take birth control pills experience more frequent and severe attacks. However, a small percentage of women have fewer and less severe migraine headaches when they take birth control pills.

And normal women who do not suffer from headaches may develop migraines as a side effect when they use oral contraceptives. Investigators around the world are studying hormonal changes in women with migraine in the hope of identifying the specific ways these naturally occurring chemicals cause headaches.

"Frequent migraines may also be caused by disc compression in your neck. See a neurologist to determine the cause of your migraines. A neck MRI can show this compression.

[Note: Please see your doctor immediately if you have severe headaches and have not been diagnosed. Headaches can be a sign of other serious medical conditions.]

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