Menopause Headaches

Possible causes and treatment for migraine headaches

Menopause headaches are experienced by an estimated 30% of women before menopause, and that percentage only increases during the time of menopause.

Common Triggers of Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches can occur on one or both sides of the head. Someone experiencing migraines usually has throbbing pain, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and tension in the shoulders and neck.

Bright light and noise will often make migraines worse.

Classic Migraines
Classic migraines are preceded by a vision disturbance that can last for 20 minutes.

Common Migraines
Common migraines may start more slowly and be more debilitating.

Both types can last from a few hours to days or typically occur in clusters once or twice a month.

Estrogen has long been linked to migraines. Among adults, women have two to three times more migraines than men.

However, estrogen isn't the only cause. Other triggers of menopause headaches include...

stress

lack of sleep

smoke or other odors

certain foods such as red wine, cured meat, alcohol, chocolate, and onions

Migraines Caused by Excess Estrogen

Migraine headaches are one of the results of the adverse effect estrogen has on blood vessels.

Not all women with estrogen dominance will experience symptoms of menopause headaches. There are receptor sites for hormones all over the body, and in different people different sites predominate. Thus the symptoms of estrogen dominance will vary according to where a person's estrogen sites are located.

Progesterone for Migraine Relief

Everyone knows someone who experiences migraines, and everyone knows how excrutiating they can be. So it's quite remarkable that the medical community has missed the simple fact that natural progesterone is a cost-effective treatment for menstrual migraines.

Many women attend pain clinics and explore every possibility they can such as meditation, acupressure, or acupuncture for menopause. To no avail, many women continue to suffer month after month.

Progesterone Influence on Thyroid

Low progesterone levels is also a major influence on thyroid. It's not that surprising that someone being treated for low levels of progesterone also tests low in thyroid.

What's Causing your Migraine?

The best thing to do is figure out how to stop the migraines before they start. You can do this by keeping a diary to pinpoint your triggers then avoid them.

For example, if you discover that stress is a trigger, then practice relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.

It's a good idea to first try to figure out what the triggers are. However, most people have lots of triggers, and it can be hard to avoid all of them.

It's also important to catch the migraine early. If you wait too long, it can be difficult to get control.

Most mild migraines get better with over-the-counter pain killer medications such as ibuprofen, aspirin, and acetaminophen. If you are taking these more than a couple times a week, you should see your health care provider for help.

Foods that Cause Migraines

The following foods could possibly cause your migraines...

Aged, canned, or cured meat

Avocados

Aged cheese

Chocolate

Meat tenderizer

Alcohol, especially red wine

Beans, including broad, lima, and Italian

Papaya

Onions

Peas

Pizza

Yogurt

Nuts and peanut butter

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

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