Many factors contribute to headaches for both men and women, including family history and age.
Women, however, often notice a relationship between headaches and hormonal changes.
Though changing hormone levels can influence headache patterns, you’re not completely at the mercy of your hormones.
Your doctor can help you treator preventhormone-related headaches.
The drop in estrogen just before your period might contribute to headaches.
Many women withmigrainesreport headaches before or during menstruation.
Your menstrual-related migraines can be treated in several ways.
Proven treatments for migraines are often effective for treating menstrual migraines.
Daily medications might include beta blockers, anticonvulsants, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants or magnesium.
Doctors will likely review other medical conditions you have to determine which medications might be most appropriate for you.
Women who have migraine with aura are generally advised not to use estrogen-containing contraception.
If you have migraine with aura, talk to your doctor about contraception options.
Talk to your doctor if that happens to you.
Tips for using hormonal contraception:
Estrogen levels rise rapidly in early pregnancy and remain high throughout pregnancy.
Migraines often improve or even disappear during pregnancy.
However, tension headaches usually won’t improve, as they aren’t affected by hormone changes.
Many headache medications have harmful or unknown effects on a developing baby.
Your doctor can tell you which medications you’re free to take.
For some women, migraines improve once their menstrual periods stop, but tension headaches often get worse.
If your headaches persist after menopause, you likely can continue to take your medications and use other therapies.
If you’re taking hormone replacement therapy, your doctor might recommend an estrogen skin patch.
The patch provides a low, steady supply of estrogen, which is least likely to aggravate headaches.
Some women are more sensitive to the effects of hormones.
If headaches are disrupting your daily activities, work or personal life, ask your doctor for help.
Updated: 12/10/2020
Publication Date: 4/28/2006
