Bambi Eloriaga-Amago
Ladies, if you find yourself getting crippled with migraines a few days before or during your period, it might be due to your bodies preparing themselves for menopause.
Dr. JoAnn Pinkerton, executive director of the North American Menopause Society explains that “Since the average age of menopause is 51 to 52, and the average transition is five to ten years, women may see a worsening of their migraines as early as 42 to 47 years old if they are going to have an average age menopause… The variability for normal menopause is 45 to 55, so women could see an intensification before or after that time.”
A recent study headed by Dr. Vincent Martin of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine verified Dr. Pinkerton’s statement. Researchers found that the risk of headaches occurred more frequently during perimenopause, the time before periods stop completely when the female body experiences very low estrogen levels.
Furthermore, the researchers found that women who experience PMS (Pre-menstrual Syndrome) early in life were more prone to migraines later on, as they are more sensitive to the effects of hormones. Experiencing depression is also possible during menopause, and women who are depressed are more likely to experience migraines.
Dr. Martin recommends the use of birth control pills or a hormone estrogen patch to manage the pain and discomfort caused by hormone-induced headaches.
Dr. Pinkerton, on the other hand, cautions that “Hormone therapy given for hot flashes may worsen or improve migraines.” However, “Postmenopause, once hormonal fluctuations have diminished and hormone levels are consistently low and stable, the migraines often improve or stop.”
