How to Deal with the Menstrual Cycle Headache?

24.03.2010 | By: Izabela M

Each month, the menstrual cycle headache confines a large number of women to bed. How to recognize the symptoms and alleviate the problem?

Menstrual cycle headache appears in the interval between two days prior to the period and approximately three days after the beginning of the period. (jlp)

When the pain in the head is accompanied by infirmity, sickness, hypersensitivity to light and a monthly change in the hormonal balance, the result is the menstrual cycle headache that makes many women temporarily bedridden. Women seem to suffer from migraine a lot more often than men, and there are a number of reasons for this. Even though the exact reason remains unknown, there's no doubt that hormonal changes have a siginificant impact. We can basically distinguish between two types of the menstrual cycle headache: menstrual migraine and menstrually related migraine.

Menstrual migraine

Pure menstrual migraine is a headache that appears exclusively in the time of menstruation. It usually emerges in the interval between two days prior to the period and approximately three days after the beginning of the period. Only a small percentage of women suffer from this type of headache. According to most estimates, the figure is about 14 percent of women.

The afflicted women feel a throbbing pain on both sides of the head, which is accompanied by a sickness. (jlp)

Menstrually related migraine

When it comes to such migraines, women don't have a headache only at the time of their period, as this kind of headache occurs at whatever time of the month. More than 50 percent of women are said to suffer from it. According to the patients, these migraines last for a long time, and are considerably strong and difficult to cure.

Headaches are caused by the fall in the estrogen level

We can attribute the cause of the menstrual cycle headache to the fall in the level of estrogen, which takes place just before the period starts. If you want to get rid of the headaches, it's advisable you keep a journal of headaches in which you should note down when exactly do migraines appear, and how frequent and intense they are. You should discuss them with your gynecologist, as there is a chance that the contraceptive pills you use contribute to their intensity.

The intensity of the headache may lead to insomnia. (jlp)

Methods of treating migraine

The first step can be changing the prescribed contraceptive pills, or even dropping them. Some experts suggest that the menstrual cycle headache could be alleviated by an additional dose of estrogen taken approximately five days before the period - that is, by hormonal treatment. If you don't like the idea, you can still use the anti-headache pill. Women are also advised to drink a considerable amount of water and indulge in a caffeine drink, while in some cases it suffices to tie a ribbon around one's head, or apply a cold or warm compress.

What triggers these headaches?

Beside the period there are other factors that affect these headaches. The probability of their occurrence may be increased by lack of sleep, skipping meals, weather changes, or a certain type of food or drink. Whatever the reasons, try to find a way to soothe the pain that will work for you.