Ah, menstruationgiver of stained underwear, unrelenting cramps, and, for some people, migraine attacks.
For some people,migraine triggersinclude certain foods, a lack of sleep, orstress.
If you havemenstrual migraineattacks, you already know they really suck.
Sabine Kriesch / EyeEm
So what can you do about it?
Ready to get some relief?
Heres what you’re free to dobecause PMS is already bad enough on its own.
Track your menstrual cycle and your migraine symptoms.
That can help us get a treatment strategy together that’s uniquely crafted to you and your triggers.
This can help you and your doctor confirm if attacks coincide with typical hormone dips during your monthly cycle.
If you need contraception, some birth control can help reduce menstrual migraine symptoms.
For people who experiencemigraine with aura, though, certain birth control methods are off the table.
In that case, you might be able to treat them on a short-term basis.
Frequent use of these medications can increase the risk of developingmedication overuse headaches, Dr. Peretz says.
Thats the last thing you want.
You may also benefit from long-term preventive treatment.
Your doctor can help you figure out which drug or combination of drugs gives you the most headache-free days.
Keep rescue medication on hand.
The key is taking it at the first sign of an impending attack.
Common over-the-counter abortive medicines include ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin, and medications that combine NSAIDs and caffeine.
Take some time for self-care.
Sleep is A-OK too, if the pain isnt interfering with that.
Dr. Dyess says many of his patients have bought ice caps that they keep in their freezer.
A lot of people find those especially helpful during menstrual migraine attacks, he says.
The treatment likely works in the short term because ice has a numbing effect, according to theMayo Clinic.
Dont forget to take care of your other period symptoms, too.
Doubling over with crampsduringa migraine attack will only make you feel worse.
Any OTC pain relievers you take for your head pain should help with cramps too.
