Hormonal Headaches

by Rose Williams

Headaches seem to be part and parcel of our lives. While many of the headaches affect all of us, hormonal headaches affect only women. This is because the headache is related to the female sexual hormones and the reproductive cycle of a woman. Luckily hormonal headaches only make their appearance during the menstrual cycle.

The level of estrogen in the body fluctuates during the menstrual cycle. It is this fluctuating that causes hormonal headaches. Some changes that can precipitate the hormonal headache are menarche, premenstrual syndrome, pregnancy, and menopause. During these times the intensity and the frequency of hormonal headaches varies.

The symptoms of hormonal headaches appear to be similar to that of migraine headaches. You will feel a throbbing pain in one side of the head, there will be nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity and aggravation caused by loud noises.

Many women will get hormonal headaches in conjunction with premenstrual syndrome. Generally the conditions that sets off both the headaches and the premenstrual syndrome occur at least 11 days before the menstrual period cycle.

During this time in addition to the premenstrual syndrome symptoms women will also be subject to the symptoms of hormonal headaches.

The premenstrual syndrome symptoms include an acne outbreak, anxiety, emotional sensitivity, constipation, food cravings, fatigue, impaired concentration, hormonal headaches, increased appetite, lowered sexual drive and joint pain. Some women may experience severe premenstrual syndrome. At this point the hormonal headaches and others symptoms can become debilitating.

There are times when you might confuse a menstrual migraine as being a hormonal headache. The difference between the two is that a menstrual migraine occurs during the period phase. The hormonal headache occurs prior to the period. It usually surfaces alongside that of premenstrual syndrome.

Many women use oral contraceptives to prevent getting pregnant. There is a correlation between the use of contraceptives and hormonal headaches occurring.

As these tablets cause a change in the estrogen levels there is a strong possibility that the tablets could be one reason why women get hormonal headaches.

To prevent hormonal headaches from occurring taking medication before the headache strikes can reduce your chances of getting hormonal headaches. When you know that you will get hormonal headaches in conjunction with your premenstrual cycle and menstruation you can use triptans a few days in advance. Aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen can decrease the frequency of your getting hormonal headaches.

As hormonal headaches are a type of headache that only women are subject to understanding your menstrual cycle can help you find ways of adjusting to this period while your medication begins to take effect.