Hormonal Headaches are a very painful and seriously debilitating ailment that affects only women. Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can have significant effects on the brain, often triggering severe headaches. Hormonal headaches are a part of the overall premenstrual cycle, and can begin eleven to seven days before the menstrual cycle. Symptoms of hormonal headaches include severe migraine like pain, usually accompanied by a sensitivity to light and loud noises. The pain can typically be described as a throbbing like sensation.
A great number of women experience hormonal headaches at one point or another in their life. The occurrence of hormonal headaches can be hard to predict, although contraceptives are known to have an effect on their frequency. In some women, oral contraceptives provide a trigger for migraine like headaches, while in others it actually mitigates the effects of the headaches. Accurately predicting the effect that oral contraceptives will have is difficult. Outside of contraceptives, the the real reasons behind hormonal headache remain unknown. Preventing hormonal headaches can be difficult, or even next to impossible.
Fortunately, treatment for hormonal headaches can potentially be far more effective. Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can do an effective job of suppressing hormonal headache symptoms. Treatment with these over the counter drugs prior to an actual attack can mitigate their eventual affects. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are all effective treatments for hormone headaches. These NSAID medications can also be effective in reducing other premenstrual symptoms, such as cramping.
Migraine medications, such as triptans, can also be used to lessen the impact of hormone headaches. Although not a direct treatment for the cause of the headaches, triptans can significantly reduce the associated pain. Triptans and NSAID medication should be used wisely when attempting to reduce hormonal headaches, because they can cause reactions if overused. Overuse of both triptans and NSAID medication can result in what are known as “rebound” headaches, where the symptoms emerge even stronger after the effects of the medication has worn off.
In addition to the premenstrual cycle, Hormonal Headaches also emerge during high hormone level periods. The early periods of childbirth can cause widespread changes in hormone levels, and this can easily trigger severe hormonal headaches. The days after childbirth are also particularly susceptible to the occurrence of headaches. Menopause can also frequently be associated with hormonal headaches.