Migraines in Women. Hormonal Influences
Posted by Health articles on June 29th, 2009
Migraine headaches are no laughing matter. The pain can be excruciating and deserves medical attention, such as proper diagnosis and treatment. According to the National Headache Foundation there are nearly 30 million people that suffer from migraine headaches. Symptoms for a migraine include nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to sound and light, pain that is usually only on one side of the head, and moderate to intense pain that pulsates, throbs, and makes it challenging, if not impossible, to carry out daily activities.
Due to hormonal influences, women tend to experience migraines three times more often than their male counterparts. Nearly 60 percent of women who experience migraines experience menstrual migraines that transpire right before menstruation, during menstruation, during ovulation, or directly after menstruation.
These menstrual migraines are caused by the female sex hormone estrogen. Estrogen regulates the menstrual cycle. When the levels of progesterone (steroid hormone involved in the menstrual cycle) and estrogen change, the chance for headaches is increased. It has been shown that women who take oral contraceptives are more prone to migraine menstrual headaches. Serotonin is also a hormonal trigger for headache pain and studies have shown that for women, it’s more than simply serotonin levels, but also the way female hormones interact with serotonin.
Today there are a number of medications available to help all types of migraine headache sufferers, including medications designed to prevent migraines in the first place. Over-the-counter medications can be used to help relieve pain, though overuse can sometimes cause an increase in migraine headaches. Abortive medicines can stop migraines, and preventative medications can be used if migraines are present several times a month. In addition, migraine sufferers who experience vomiting or nausea can benefit from prescription strength anti-nausea medications.
There are also many beneficial non-pharmacological options to help lessen the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches. Yoga, biofeedback, acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, physical medicine, counseling, meditation, aromatherapy, and lifestyle and dietary changes can all help improve the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches. Creating a stress-free, pleasant environment (if possible) can help to relax tension and lessen the frequency of migraines.
Cutting out artificial sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame can also help, as can getting enough sleep and enjoying regular exercise. If you are experiencing migraine headaches, take a look at your diet, sleeping habits, exercise levels, and stress levels. Talk to a doctor or therapist to find a happy balance that helps relieve your pain in the best medical and non-medicinal ways possible.
Tags: Headaches, headaches causes, migraines