Migraine And Menstrual Periods: Treatment Options

Migraines are intense headaches that attack the sufferer periodically and are accompanied by discomforts such as nausea, dizziness and inability to function normally.

Seemingly, they affect women much more than men and are more frequently experienced just days before or during menstruation.

It appears that as estrogen levels in the blood fall just a couple of days before the period, migraine activity has a tendency to rise.

The onset of migraines has been identified at a younger age for boys, 10 years, than girls, where many experience them initially at about 14 years.

Research studies indicate that about 60% of women who experience migraines tend to have the attacks in close association with their monthly menstrual periods.

These attacks typically manifest a couple of days before or during the menstrual period. This pattern enables women to use short-term preventive treatments intended to prevent the migraine attacks from occurring or at least reduce the severity of headaches in the event that they occur.

Migraine attacks also typically manifest mid-way in the menstrual cycle, at the time of ovulation when there is less estrogen in the blood which causes greater sensitivity to pain, making women more susceptible to migraine problems.

Managing diet along with other lifestyle practices can effectively prevent or control migraine attacks.

Dietary measures involve taking of meals as regularly planned and ensuring diet is well-balanced.

You should not skip meals as hunger and low blood sugar encourage migraine attacks. Ensure intake of plenty of fluid to prevent dehydration, a common trigger of migraine attacks.

It is recommended that you decrease intake of salty foods a few days before the menstrual period as well as alcohol, chocolates and sweets to decrease probability of migraine attacks.

Other measures include getting enough rest and maintaining regular sleeping schedules.

Treatments for migraine problems in regular menstrual periods can take the form of prescription medications, natural therapies and non-medical measures.

Prescription medications can be recommended by your health care provider and when taken a few days before the onset of your period or whenever the attacks tend to occur, suffering will be alleviated.

Natural therapies include massaging eucalyptus, peppermint or lavender oils on the forehead which greatly eases the severity of menstrual migraines. These oils give a unique aroma which is very effective in calming and relaxing the mind thus useful in treating the migraines.

You can also soak some henna flowers in vinegar for 10 minutes, then massage onto the painful area to ease menstrual migraines. Yet another helpful herb for relieving menstrual migraines is rosemary.

Inhale the steam from a cup of rosemary mixed with boiling water twice a day for beneficial results. Drinking fresh beetroot as well as grape juice is also very effective in countering menstrual migraines.