How Do Hormones Affect My Menopausal Headaches?

Headaches can be triggered by a variety of things such as muscle tensions, drinking too much alcohol or a range of other sicknesses. But, during menopause, you may find yourself experiencing more severe headaches more frequently. These headaches occur because of decreased hormone levels. This is similar to why some women get headaches before they start their period. They occur when estrogen levels plunge during the menstrual cycle; the same reason menopausal women begin suffering from hormone-induced headaches.

Different Types of Headaches

There are different types of headaches you may suffer from, including menstrual migraines. These headaches are hormone-related, they begin on the first day or two of menstruation and recede once menstruation has ended. Other types of migraines include migraines with an aura and migraines without an aura.

Migraines with an aura start with a neurological phenomenon where women begin seeing bright shimmering lights around objects or the edge of their field of vision. But the most common migraine is a migraine without an aura. It will occur on one or both sides of the head and can even cause fatigue or mood swings within 24 hours of the start of the headache. Women suffering from these headaches may experience nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light.

There are also tension headaches, the most common headache women suffer from, affecting 88% of women at least once in their life. This type of headache can also cause pain in the back of your neck at the base of your skull. Menopausal women also suffer from sinus headaches. These headaches usually began with an allergic reaction that causes the sinuses to become inflamed and prevent the outflow of mucus from the sinuses. This headache will cause aches and pains throughout your forehead, around the eyes and cheeks.

How Can I Treat My Menopausal Headache?

For women suffering from hormone-induced headaches it is recommended that they try changing their diet or exercise routine to try to lessen the intensity and frequency of such headaches. By eliminating certain foods such as aged-cheese, alcohol, food additives (preservatives) and cold foods, you are reducing the number of triggers that could be causing you to suffer from menopausal headaches. Also, yoga, regular exercise and meditation are good for reducing stress and headaches. Keeping your body as healthy as possible is one of the best ways to keep headaches away.

Hormones play a vital role in your menopausal headaches, but you should also know about the other hormones that are present in your body during menopause. To learn more click on the following link about natural hormones.