Is your period causing your migraines?

When in your cycle are migraines most likely?

The most common time to develop menstrual migraines is during the first three days of your period and the two days before it begins. This is thought to be due to falling oestrogen levels in the body. And around this time, chemicals associated with pain (called prostaglandins) also increase.

Arlene Wilkie, chief executive of the Migraine Trust charity explains: "Many women notice a link between their migraine attacks and their periods. Research suggests there is a reduction in oestrogen during the days before their period which can act as a migraine trigger for those who are sensitive to it."

The link between falling levels of oestrogen and menstrual migraines has long been recognised. But the exact mechanism is still something that we don't know enough about. The fall in oestrogen levels is thought to affect pain sensation pathways in the brain, but there are also many other factors involved.

If you think you may be suffering from menstrual migraines, often the easiest way to see a link to your cycle is by keeping a symptom diary. This way you see how often your headaches are happening and if they occur at a certain point in your menstrual cycle.

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Migraine and combined hormonal contraception

If you have migraine with aura, you should not use combined hormonal contraceptives - which means the combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill ('the pill'), the contraceptive vaginal ring ("the ring") or the contraceptive patch ('the patch'). This is because of a small but significant increased risk of having a stroke. If you have migraine without aura you should not take combined hormonal contraceptives if you are aged 35 or older. If you previously never had migraine, and then develop any type of migraine (with or without aura) after starting combined hormonal contraceptives, you should stop using them. Some women aged under 35 who have migraine without aura are prescribed combined hormonal contraceptives. They then find that the pill-free, ring-free or patch-free break triggers migraine attacks. If this happens to you then you do not need to stop your combined hormonal contraceptive. Tips for you to reduce headache frequency are given below.

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How to prevent menstrual migraines

It often isn't possible to completely prevent migraine attacks, but there are a number of options that can help decrease their frequency and severity.

Wilkie reveals: "Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [such as aspirin or ibuprofen] taken two to three days before the expected start of the period and for the first two to three days of menstruation itself can help. Oestrogen supplements which can prevent the natural hormone drop that can trigger migraine are another option. There are also a number of contraceptive strategies that can help."

We will have a look at these suggestions in a bit more detail below. But first, there are some simple things you can try to do at home to make your headaches more manageable.

Self-help tips

Although it can be hard to stop menstrual migraines completely, various changes to your routine may help to keep them under control.

Having a regular sleep pattern is extremely important. Reducing stress in your life, taking regular exercise and trying relaxation techniques can help too.

In the days before and during your period, it is also useful to eat small but frequent meals or snacks. Maintaining your blood sugar levels can reduce stresses on your body, which for some women can help decrease the risk of a migraine being triggered.

Medical treatments

For some women, the advice mentioned above can be enough to make menstrual migraines more manageable. But if needed, there are a number of helpful medical treatments too. These (as mentioned above) can include simple painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain. They can also have the added benefit of making your periods less heavy.

When migraines occur, another treatment option for some women is triptans. These are thought to work by reducing inflammation and altering the blood flow to the brain, which can help relieve the symptoms. Antisickness medications can also be useful should your migraine leave you feeling nauseated.

Other women find that using oestrogen supplements (usually in the form of a gel or patch) in the week before their period can be extremely helpful. The theory behind these supplements is to stop the natural drop in oestrogen which can trigger a migraine. But check with your doctor first to make sure this is a safe option for you.

Contraceptive options

Some women find that certain forms of hormonal contraception can be helpful for warding off menstrual migraines. If you are already taking the combined oral contraceptive (COC) pill but develop headaches on your pill-free week, one of the easiest solutions is to run your pill packs together. This should never be done without advice from your doctor, and one downside is that in some women it can cause some breakthrough bleeding.

If you are not currently using the combined pill, starting it may be an option, but your doctor will need to assess whether it's right for you first. It's not suitable if you have a personal or family history of blood clots, strokes and certain cancers. You also won't be able to take it if you suffer from migraines with aura - in fact, you should stop it immediately(and use another method of conraception) if you start getting migraine with aura while you're taking the combined pill. But there are other options available, such as the contraceptive injection. This progestogen-only contraceptive stops monthly hormone fluctuations associated with migraines and can be very effective for some.

Current research

Over recent years, there has been quite a lot of research assessing which treatments for menstrual migraines are the most effective.

One area of investigation has been the use of triptans in ending menstrual migraines soon after they start. Relatively consistently, research has shown triptans to be more effective than placebos when used in this way.

Ultimately however, the focus is to prevent menstrual migraines from occurring in the first place. Certain studies have shown that taking triptans - for example, sumatriptan and frovatriptan - before the migraine occurs (ie just before their period) can be very effective in some women. However, triptans aren't currently licensed for this purpose and this option is usually only offered in specialist clinics. And there are also some women who may not be suitable for this therapy - for example, women with high blood pressure, heart disease, or a history of strokes or diabetes.

Are migraines affecting your quality of life?

Most women with menstrual migraines are able to manage their symptoms and make simple lifestyle adjustments to help decrease the frequency and severity of attacks. But if your migraines are really affecting you, are worsening or you are developing any other symptoms, please talk with your GP for advice.