Causes and treatment of headaches in women during menstruation

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During or before their period, many women experience slight discomfort. According to statistics, from 5 to 10% of the fair sex suffer from PMS (premenstrual syndrome), accompanied by migraines. In almost every third patient, cephalgic syndrome (severe headaches) before, after or during menstruation develops sporadically against the background of concomitant diseases, weather changes or changes in climatic zones. The article discusses the causes of headaches before menstruation and methods of treating this disorder.

Headache during menstruation

Quite a large number of women suffer from headaches during menstruation. This condition is called menstrual cephalgia. The sensations experienced by a woman during this period vary in intensity: from a completely tolerable and unstable feeling of pressure inside the head to severe migraines that can temporarily deprive one of his ability to work. Headaches are often accompanied by nausea, changes in the perception of smell and taste, increased sensitivity to sounds, mood instability and sleep disturbances.

Menstrual pain can occur 2 days before menstruation and 3 days after it. They usually do not pose a health hazard, however, if cephalgic episodes recur, you should consult a doctor. The reason for this condition is a sharp change in hormonal levels during the menstrual cycle, which is especially typical for women suffering from disorders of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, which regulates the production of hormones. The main causes of headaches during menstruation include the following:

• a sharp drop in the level of the hormone progesterone;
• change in water-salt balance;
• menstruation-related changes in prostaglandin levels;
• chronic iron deficiency anemia, which is often observed in women with heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding.

Eating disorders with excess carbohydrates and saturated fats in the diet, and excessively frequent consumption of strong coffee predispose to the appearance of headaches during menstruation. Cervical osteochondrosis, blood clotting disorders, and previous head and neck injuries also increase the likelihood of menstrual cephalgia.

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Treatment with folk remedies

• Cold compresses applied to the area of ​​pain will significantly relieve the condition.

• Aromatherapy (inhaling essential oils of lavender, sandalwood, eucalyptus, rosemary or mint will help relieve headaches).

• Tea with chamomile, mint, lemon balm.

• Warm foot baths.

• Massage of the temporal areas, scalp.
• In some cases, sleep helps as well as pills.

Interesting: Allergy headaches: causes, treatment and prevention

Headache in a pregnant woman

The causes of headaches in women during pregnancy and lactation may be different. In some cases they are associated with changes in hormonal levels, in others – with exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. Only a specialist can understand the true causes of the pathological condition. The complexity of this situation lies in the fact that during such a period the choice of medications against headaches is very limited. Therefore, only a doctor can prescribe the drug.

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Why does my head hurt before my period: possible causes and treatment

Every month, women have to endure several difficult days, accompanied by various unpleasant symptoms. In addition, before each menstruation, the so-called PMS occurs. Some girls wonder: why do they have headaches before menstruation? What causes this reaction in the body? We will talk about this and much more further.

PMS

The few days before the onset of menstruation are called premenstrual syndrome. It is characterized by increased nervous irritability and excitability. The progesterone accumulated in the middle of the cycle is to blame.

Its level drops sharply during PMS, which is why you get headaches and nausea before your period. In this situation, girls need to refrain from vigorous physical activity. In addition, salty foods can also cause headaches. It retains fluid in the body.

For this reason, pressure rises. Against the background of hormonal shock, this can cause unbearable pain.

It is also better to have painkillers with you that are suitable for you and have been tested by time.

Symptoms

Knowing the information about why you get a headache before menstruation, you need to remember about other accompanying symptoms of premenstrual syndrome:

• Breast engorgement. The level of hormones changes, the breasts increase. Some women complain of being unable to touch their nipples due to severe pain.
• Pulls the lower back and lower abdomen. A similar symptom occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy.
• Change of mood. Any little thing can easily infuriate you, and the most harmless film can touch you to the depths of your soul.
• Change in appetite. Some begin to absorb everything, while others, on the contrary, complain of an unwillingness to eat.
• Insomnia. Increased excitability can deprive you of sleep for several days. In this case, it is better to take some kind of sedative in advance.
• Weakness and feeling of fatigue.
• Many people complain of intestinal upset. This is also a consequence of changes in hormonal levels.
• Migraine.

All these symptoms are temporary and disappear immediately with menstruation. They are not related to your immune system or nervous system disorder.

Causes

Now it’s worth talking about why I get a headache before and during my period. There may be many reasons, but they are all primarily associated with a hormonal surge. The body was preparing for pregnancy throughout the entire month. To bear the future fetus, he accumulated progesterone.

However, fertilization did not occur, and the body is simply obliged to return everything to its previous state. Therefore, before menstruation, progesterone levels drop sharply. The woman, in turn, feels how her body begins to behave unpredictably.

Headache is one of the most unpleasant consequences of this.

The level of another hormone, estrogen, also changes during PMS. This may cause swelling and heaviness in the muscles. This occurs due to fluid retention, which increases blood pressure and causes headaches.

It is possible that another reason is the use of oral contraceptives. While the female body gets used to the monthly suppression of ovulation, a restructuring of reproductive function occurs. This may be the answer to the question of why I get a headache before my period.

The next reason is the woman’s emotional overload. If a representative of the fair sex is in a state of depression during this period, then a headache is almost inevitable. The tension created by stress can prolong the period of PMS and even cause delay. It is recommended to take sedatives in such a situation.

Headache before menstruation. What to do?

If this happens systematically over a long time, then a doctor can easily answer this question. It is better to consult a therapist or neurologist. He will prescribe the necessary treatment. When the pain is periodic, you can use analgesics.

True, it is highly not recommended to abuse them. They will only mask the discomfort for a short time. After all, it’s not about the inflammatory process, but about hormones. And, as you know, no analgesics can treat them.

You may need to take some special medications to balance your hormonal levels.

The doctor will definitely advise you to rest as much as possible during this period. But that doesn't mean you should take time off from work and spend the whole day in bed watching TV. Rest means leisurely walks for at least an hour a day and sound, healthy sleep.

Traditional methods

Now you know why you get a headache before your period. The task now is to get rid of it. In addition to drug treatment, there are also traditional methods. Of course, their effectiveness has not been proven, but at that moment when you can no longer endure the pain, all means will do.

To begin with, it is worth noting that it would not be a bad idea to play sports. It tones the body and helps to cope with stressful situations more easily. A swimming pool helps a lot in this matter. Buy a subscription and before your period, attend water aerobics or just swim for fun. Water relieves muscle tension and improves your mood. This will help relieve headaches.

Among traditional methods, you can try aromatherapy. Lavender and eucalyptus oils relieve pain for a short time. You can apply a cold towel to your forehead and temples. It also relieves these symptoms.

Following a diet is mandatory during this period. Try not to eat anything salty, smoked or fried, so as not to increase your blood pressure. It is also recommended to drink fresh potato juice daily. It definitely won’t do any harm, and perhaps it will help solve this problem.

Migraine

This is the most severe form of headache. Migraine can only be treated by doctors; it is almost impossible to get rid of it on your own. This is a strong, paroxysmal pain.

Women suffer from it not only during menstruation, but also in other situations. Do not delay treatment of this insidious disease.

Consult a doctor who will explain why you have a headache before your period and how to help with a migraine. To begin with, they will tell you about its main features:

• The pain is unbearable and hard to bear.
• The attack can last several hours.
• No painkillers help.
• Nausea or vomiting almost always accompanies a migraine.
• Localization of pain in a separate area of ​​the head, and not in the whole head.
• Irritation from bright light.

If you notice these signs in yourself, do not self-medicate. It could be worse. Consult a neurologist immediately.

Prevention

The main thing to understand is that pain is caused by hormonal changes. To relieve symptoms, you need to take this matter seriously and proactively. Knowing why you get a headache before your period, you can prevent it yourself. But there are still some universal recommendations that will suit everyone.

If you follow these rules, you can avoid headaches altogether:

1. Give up bad habits. These include smoking and, of course, drinking alcohol. They can cause pain.
2. Keep the same daily routine. You need to get good sleep, especially before your period.
3. Take a walk in the fresh air. It's better to go to a park where there is no polluted air.
4. Never leave migraine treatment to chance. If you notice that pain continues not only before and during menstruation, this is a reason to run to the doctor.

Conclusion

In this article, we studied why headaches occur before menstruation. The causes and treatment are now known to you. Our advice is for guidance only. If you manage to get rid of pain without the help of a doctor, still be on guard. They may come back again. Love yourself and get treatment on time!

Source: https://FB.ru/article/256360/pochemu-bolit-golova-pered-mesyachnyimi-vozmojnyie-prichinyi-i-lechenie

What to do for menstrual headaches

Consult a doctor if symptoms are severe

. Frequent and severe headaches during menstruation should be a reason to consult a doctor, regardless of the woman’s age. Consultation with a specialist is also required if the nature and duration of pain changes, new symptoms appear, discomfort persists during the subsequent cycle, or disturbances in the rhythm of menstruation.

Lead a healthy lifestyle

. Women prone to headaches are recommended to take evening walks, follow a daily routine, get enough sleep at night and be physically active. Don't forget to drink enough fluid. It is advisable to limit foods that are difficult to digest and promote fluid retention in the diet, and reduce the number of dishes with “fast” (easily accessible) carbohydrates. It is recommended to minimize or eliminate alcohol consumption and try to give up bad habits. On the recommendation of a doctor, you can go for a medical massage of the back, neck, and head.

Take medications recommended by your doctor

. To relieve headaches, antispasmodics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often used. For concomitant hypertension, antihypertensive drugs are indicated, and for anemia, a therapeutic diet and iron-containing medications are usually prescribed. For migraines, the doctor prescribes the correct therapy: anti-migraine drugs, triptans. Medications should only be taken with the permission of a doctor.

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How to deal with migraines

Treatment of headaches before menstruation is carried out with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Courses of treatment should be short, it is very important to avoid overdose and protect the stomach from their aggressive effects. Usually medications are prescribed a few days before the start of the cycle.

You can choose the drugs Meloxicam, Ibuprofen, Nimesulide and their analogues.

Adrenergic blocking drugs and anticonvulsants are also used; if the headaches before menstruation are very severe, antidepressants are prescribed. It is very important to limit the amount of salt in your diet, plus take a course of diuretics. If migraines are caused by menopause, your doctor may even prescribe hormonal pills that contain estrogen.

Motrin® for headaches

Motrin® is a complex action drug that helps relieve headaches for twelve hours. This product has a high safety profile and is approved for sale in pharmacies without a prescription.1 To achieve the best effect and maintain the correct dosage, before using it, you must read the instructions and consult your doctor.

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The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace professional advice from a doctor. To make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment, consult a qualified specialist.

1 According to the instructions for medical use of the drug Motrin®.

Treatment

For most women, a headache is not an indication of a serious illness, but it should not be tolerated. The treatment regimen and symptomatic care are selected individually for each woman, taking into account the characteristics of her body and the causes of headaches. This may include:

• antispasmodics: Spasmolgon;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: Ibuprofen, Nimesulide;
• vitamin and mineral complexes;
• supplements that include omega-3,6,9, krill oil;
• triptans: Sumatriptan, Antimigraine;
• herbal sedatives: valerian, motherwort, chamomile;
• Tranquilizers and antidepressants are indicated in severe cases, strictly according to indications, in courses, under the supervision of a doctor.

Taking painkillers and sedatives on a regular basis will not completely relieve the symptom. It is important to find the cause of the pain and direct efforts to eliminate it.

Treatment of migraine during PMS requires the use of drugs from the triptan group. They are prescribed in the minimum effective dose for a limited period of time, as a means of symptomatic relief. Therapy can be supplemented with high doses of magnesium (800-1000 mg), as well as a drinking regimen. The daily water intake is calculated using the formula: 30 ml multiplied by body weight.

Diet

The basis of the diet for PMS headaches should be dietary, simple food. Delicious and healthy dishes can be prepared from chicken, lean beef, salmon, trout, high-quality vegetable oils, and vegetables. List of foods that help prevent and reduce headaches:

• fatty sea fish;
• Red beans;
• fresh or frozen peas;
• legumes;
• spinach;
• seasonal/fresh frozen fruits, berries.

If a woman is prone to migraines with or without aura before PMS, it is advisable to adjust her diet and eliminate the following trigger foods:

• black/green tea;
• coffee;
• nuts;
• chocolate;
• cocoa;
• marinades;
• fermented products;
• aged cheese: feta, mozzarella, which contain tyramine and monoamine - substances that provoke migraines;
• oranges, lemons, tangerines.

It is also recommended to refrain from drinking alcohol, fatty, spicy, and heavy foods. It is important to ensure that the products do not contain monosodium glutamate.

Traditional treatment

At home, you can use traditional medicine recipes, which offer the following recipes for headaches:

• pour freshly ground coriander with hot water, leave for 5-10 minutes, consume in warm, small sips;
• Finely chop the ginger, add hot water (100 ml), bring to a boil and leave over low heat for 2-3 minutes. Add honey to the finished product. You can consume the ginger itself and the liquid in which it was prepared;
• chamomile tea with lemon and light natural honey.

Traditional therapy is not always effective; if home remedies do not help and the pain intensifies, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Prevention

The main thing to understand is that pain is caused by hormonal changes. To relieve symptoms, you need to take this matter seriously and proactively. Knowing why you get a headache before your period, you can prevent it yourself. But there are still some universal recommendations that will suit everyone.

If you follow these rules, you can avoid headaches altogether:

1. Give up bad habits. These include smoking and, of course, drinking alcohol. They can cause pain.
2. Keep the same daily routine. You need to get good sleep, especially before your period.
3. Take a walk in the fresh air. It's better to go to a park where there is no polluted air.
4. Never leave migraine treatment to chance. If you notice that pain continues not only before and during menstruation, this is a reason to run to the doctor.