Let’s talk: menstrual headaches!
Does it seem like you always get migraines/headaches around your period? Well you’re not imagining it! Menstrual headaches are actually a thing!
Right before your period the two key hormones oestrogen and progesterone drop. The drastic change in these hormones are thought to affect the activity of some key neurotransmitters - causing those awful menstrual headaches, or even migraines!
So, here are my top tips for managing that pounding head:
1. Rest - resting, relaxing and having 7-10 hours of good sleep helps your body recover as well as releasing hormones like endorphins that work as a natural pain relief!
2. Ice - hold a cold cloth or ice pack to the painful area to improve the pain
3. Biofeedback - biofeedback may improve your headache by helping you assess how your body responds to stress
4. Acupuncture/Acupressure - Using the theory of re-directing and balancing the energy flows within the body can help to improve your headache symptoms.
5. Pain Killers - NSAIDS: Starting to take Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories a few days prior to the onset of your period can significantly improve your headache symptoms. Triptans: your doctor may prescribe you medications called Triptans which work by blocking the pain signals from the brain. They also help with the nausea/vomiting that often accompany these awful headaches.
6. Hormonal contraceptives - hormonal contraceptives can help improve headaches and other period symptoms in certain women by altering the hormones that cause them. However it is important to note that hormonal contraception has been noted to worsen symptoms in some women - so it is important to seek advice from your doctor when trying this method!