Menstrual Migraine

Many women notice worsening of their headaches in relation to their menstrual cycle. This is well described among migraine sufferers and many strategies are available to reduce this vulnerability.

Gynecologists will sometimes utilize contraceptives in 90 day cycles and headache specialists can often provide a strategy to be used one week each month to prevent these cyclical headaches.

Recent guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization indicate there is an increased risk for stroke if estrogens are used by women of any age who have migraine with aura… or women who have migraine without aura who are older than 35 years of age.

An aura is a visual or sensory change which occurs before certain migraines. It’s important to discuss these new warnings with your healthcare professional.

Estrogens are also contraindicated in women who have hemiplegic migraine or basilar type migraines.

Additional information is available at:

http://www.headaches.org/education/Headache_Topic_Sheets/Menstrual_Migraine
http://www.achenet.org/education/patients/MigraineinWomen.asp