Hormonal Headaches are a serious and often times debilitating form of headache that effects 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 start as early as eleven 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 is usually described as a throbbing sensation.
A large percentage of women will eventually experience a hormonal headache. The occurrence of hormonal headaches can be hard to predict, although contraceptives are widely believed to play a role in their frequency. In some women, oral contraceptives provide a trigger for migraine like headaches, while in others it ends up reducing the frequency of the headaches. Accurately predicting the outcome of oral contraceptive use is difficult. Outside of contraceptives, the exact causes of a hormonal headache are unknown. Preventing hormonal headaches can be difficult, or at least hard to do.
Fortunately, treatment for hormonal headaches can potentially be far more effective. Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can do a good job of handling the symptoms of hormonal headaches. Treatment with these over the counter drugs around five to seven days prior to a menstrual period can mitigate their effects. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are all possible treatment options for hormonal headaches. These NSAID medications can also be effective in reducing other premenstrual symptoms, such as cramping.
Migraine medications, such as triptans, are another tool in the arsenal against hormonal headache pain. 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 commonly result in hormonal headaches. The days after childbirth are also a prime time for hormonal headaches to occur. Menopause can also frequently be associated with hormonal headaches. - 14130
A large percentage of women will eventually experience a hormonal headache. The occurrence of hormonal headaches can be hard to predict, although contraceptives are widely believed to play a role in their frequency. In some women, oral contraceptives provide a trigger for migraine like headaches, while in others it ends up reducing the frequency of the headaches. Accurately predicting the outcome of oral contraceptive use is difficult. Outside of contraceptives, the exact causes of a hormonal headache are unknown. Preventing hormonal headaches can be difficult, or at least hard to do.
Fortunately, treatment for hormonal headaches can potentially be far more effective. Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can do a good job of handling the symptoms of hormonal headaches. Treatment with these over the counter drugs around five to seven days prior to a menstrual period can mitigate their effects. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are all possible treatment options for hormonal headaches. These NSAID medications can also be effective in reducing other premenstrual symptoms, such as cramping.
Migraine medications, such as triptans, are another tool in the arsenal against hormonal headache pain. 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 commonly result in hormonal headaches. The days after childbirth are also a prime time for hormonal headaches to occur. Menopause can also frequently be associated with hormonal headaches. - 14130
About the Author:
Jamal Khan runs a "Cure Your Headache" blog that educates his readers about new kinds of hormonal headaches and much more.
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