In that case, you might be able to treat them on a short-term basis. So you’ve done your period tracking and determined, yes, you only get migraine attacks in the days directly surrounding your period. 1 If you only get migraine attacks around your period, “mini” preventive treatments might be enough. Peretz says, but some preliminary studies suggest progestin-only birth control pills can reduce the number of headache days and severity of migraines, possibly by preventing ovulation or changing pain pathways in the brain.
How well these pills work for menstrual migraine is still being investigated, Dr. Progestin-only birth control, known as the mini pill, is still an option for people who have migraine with aura, according to the Mayo Clinic. Examples include blind spots in your vision, flashing lights, and numbness or tingling in the face and hands, according to the Mayo Clinic.) (Aura is a term used to describe visual, sensory, or other neurologic symptoms that can occur during a migraine attack. “Taking estrogen-containing medications is often not recommended due to an increased risk of stroke associated with migraine with aura and concurrent use of medication with estrogen,” Dr. Dyess explains.įor people who experience migraine with aura, though, certain birth control methods are off the table. “Some patients go on birth control to make their menstrual cycles more predictable, or to eliminate them, which can sometimes reduce overall migraine burden,” Dr. If this is the case for you, the pill, vaginal ring, patch, and other hormonal contraceptives may help change your migraine patterns.
Since a change in estrogen levels can trigger a migraine attack, one strategy is to try to minimize that hormonal dip. If you need contraception, some birth control can help reduce menstrual migraine symptoms. This can help you and your doctor confirm if attacks coincide with typical hormone dips during your monthly cycle. “At a minimum, I would suggest tracking whether you had a headache each day, the severity of the pain, whether you took medication to alleviate your pain, and when your period started and ended,” Dr. The sky’s the limit for how much information you can record, but there are a few key things to cover. “That can help us get a treatment strategy together that's uniquely crafted to you and your triggers.”Ĭonsider tracking your menstrual cycle and headache cycle, whether that’s with a physical calendar, a period app, or the Notes app on your phone. “Being able to pick up on patterns about when your migraine attacks are happening most often during the month is extremely powerful for headache providers,” Dr. It’s important to figure out exactly when in your cycle you’re experiencing migraine attacks, how bad they tend to be, and whether they’re also happening outside of your period week. Track your menstrual cycle and your migraine symptoms. Ready to get some relief? Here’s what you can do-because PMS is already bad enough on its own.
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