Headaches are common among most people and are caused by several factors including genetics and dietary triggers. However, in women, hormonal imbalance is a primary contributing factor to chronic headaches and period migraines. Generally, hormone levels vary during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and menopause and are also altered by oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapies. Several medications and other complementary therapies offer relief from headaches. And women who experience hormonal headaches often find relief during pregnancy or attaining menopause.
Hormonal headache

Read this article to know more about the causes, treatment, and prevention of hormonal headaches.

To Get Relief From Headaches, Shop From Our Broad Spectrum Of Health Essentials Right Here!

Causes Of Hormonal Headaches

Migraine headaches have been associated with the female hormone estrogen, which controls chemicals in the brain that impact the sensation of pain. A drop in estrogen levels can trigger a headache. Hormonal levels alter for several reasons including:

Menstrual cycle: Just before the period’s cycle levels of estrogen and progesterone drop to their lowest levels.

Pregnancy: Estrogen levels usually elevate in pregnancy. For most women, hormonal headaches settle during pregnancy. However, a few women may experience migraines during early pregnancy and then find respite post-first trimester. And after delivery estrogen levels fall rapidly.

Perimenopause And Menopause:  Fluctuating hormone levels in perimenopause (years leading to menopause) can result in headaches in a few women. Around two-thirds of women who experience migraines state that their symptoms ease as they attain menopause. But for some migraine aggravates and this owing to the use of hormone replacement therapies.

Oral Contraceptives And Hormone Replacement Therapy: Birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy can cause hormone levels to fluctuate greatly. It is also observed that women on pills usually have migraine attacks during the last week of the cycle when pills do not have hormones.

Other Factors

Genetics is believed to have a key role in chronic migraines. People who experience migraines tend to have a combination of factors that may trigger their headaches in addition to hormones, including:

  • Irregular meal patterns
  • Getting excess or too little sleep
  • Heavy lights, sounds, or smells
  • Severe weather changes
  • Use of alcoholic beverages
  • Drinking too much caffeine or caffeine withdrawal
  • Stress
  • Taking processed meat products
  • Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
  • Soy products
  • Artificial sweeteners

Also Read: Migraines: 5 Natural Herbs For Alleviating Throbbing Headaches – Infographic

Symptoms Of Hormonal Headaches

The main feature of a hormonal headache is a migraine or headache. Still, most women experience other symptoms that can help healthcare providers diagnose them with a hormonal headache.

Other symptoms of hormonal headaches include:

  • Poor appetite
  • Exhaustion
  • Acne
  • Joint pain
  • Reduce urination
  • Poor coordination
  • Constipation
  • Cravings for alcohol, salt, or chocolate

Treatment For Hormonal Headaches

Home Remedies

Starting the treatment early offer better relief and some effective home remedies include:

  • Drinking plenty of fluids to maintain hydration
  • Staying in a quiet room, with dim light
  • Keeping an ice bag or ice compression on the head
  • Gently massage the area where you feel pain
  • Doing deep breathing or relaxation exercises.

Your healthcare provider may suggest taking a magnesium supplement which may aid ease the intensity of the headache. Also beating stress can avert headache attacks. Acupuncture and massage therapy may also help.

Also Read: Simple Ways To Prevent Headaches

Medications

Doctors may also prescribe over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs that are taken once a headache or migraine attack has started.

For women who experience constant hormonal headaches, preventive therapy and medications may be suggested. These drugs can be taken daily or before time in your cycle when you know that you may get a hormonal headache. These medications include:

  • Beta blockers
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Antidepressants
  • Hormone therapy

When preventive treatment is unsuccessful then the doctor may recommend hormone therapy. Estrogen supplements are given.

Birth control pills are usually given to even out hormones and lower hormonal headaches. Your healthcare provider may change the dose of any form of hormonal contraceptive that you take if you are experiencing hormonal headaches. Also, the estrogen dose is adjusted, to reduce or ease symptoms.

Preventing Hormonal Headaches

For women who get regular periods, healthcare providers may suggest preventive medication. This would begin a few days prior to the period and last up to two weeks. In a few women daily medications are needed.

Maintain a headache journal to track menstrual cycle, diet, sleep and exercise schedules. This will aid to identify possible triggers. Women who take oral contraceptives, ask your doctor if you can:

  • Alternate to a regimen that includes lesser or no placebo days
  • Take pills with a lower estrogen dose
  • Have a low-dose estrogen pill in place of the placebo days
  • Use an estrogen patch on placebo days
  • Change to progestin-only birth control pills