Migraines and Menopause: The Headache Connection

The journey through menopause can sometimes be a headache—and that’s not just a metaphor. Headaches and migraines are common side effects of the menopause transition.

An estimated 85% of perimenopausal women experience tension headaches, and up to 29% suffer from migraines. Let’s delve into this connection and explore your options beyond relying on pain medications and seeking refuge in a dark room.

Is It a Headache or a Migraine?

Tension headaches are characterized by a “squeezing” sensation in the forehead or temples. They are more common and generally more manageable than migraines, but can still impact your life, especially if they occur frequently.

Migraines, on the other hand, are more severe, last longer, and often involve nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Women are more than twice as likely as men to experience migraines, and many find that their migraines are linked to their menstrual cycle throughout adulthood.

The Connection Between Menopause and Headaches

While some research has found that tension headaches are more common around menopause, most studies have looked into migraines. There is strong evidence of a close link between migraines and female hormone cycles, including menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause.

The prevalent explanation, known as the “estrogen withdrawal” hypothesis, suggests that migraines are triggered by the sudden decrease in estrogen that occurs before menstruation and during the menopausal transition.

During perimenopause, migraines can worsen due to hormonal fluctuations. A study of over 3,000 migraine sufferers found that migraine frequency increased by 60% during perimenopause.

However, there’s good news waiting after menopause: migraines may decrease to the lowest frequency of a woman’s adult life. While data on this topic is somewhat conflicting, it’s logical that migraines would stabilize with lower estrogen levels after menopause.

The research about the effect of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on migraines is mixed. Some studies show that MHT users experience worse migraines, while others indicate that MHT might improve migraines. Nevertheless, more research is required to draw conclusive results.

Managing Menopausal Headaches

There are several options to explore for treating headaches. You can consider natural remedies, medications, or a combination of both.

Holistic Approaches

Hormones are not the only triggers of headaches and migraines. Many people find that these holistic strategies help them get control without medication.

• Relaxation techniques like massage or acupuncture
• Stress management or talk therapy
• Moderate-intensity exercise and mindfulness-based exercise like yoga
• Staying well-hydrated with water
• Practicing good sleep hygiene, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule
• Avoiding trigger foods and beverages like coffee, alcohol, chocolate, and aged cheeses (individual triggers can vary)
• Addressing other contributors like eyesight issues, nervous system disorders, high blood pressure and medication side effects

Supplements

Riboflavin and Coenzyme Q10 have shown promising results in a few trials for headache management.

Pharmaceutical Options

Medical migraine treatments fall into two major categories:

1. Preventative medications taken regularly to help reduce the frequency of migraines. These medications include antidepressants, beta-blockers, anti-epileptics, and ACE inhibitors.
2. Medications taken for relief once a migraine has already started. These include over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers, as well as specific migraine drugs.

If headaches or migraines are significantly impacting your quality of life, consult your healthcare provider to find the treatment option that best suits your needs. With the right approach, you can find relief and continue your journey through menopause with greater ease and comfort.