Part of the problem is that serotonin, a neurotransmitter, a primary hormonal trigger for all headaches also reacts uniquely with female hormones. Some researchers believe that migraines are in fact a genetic disorder that are inherited and that they affect the way serotonin in the body is metabolized.
The female hormone believed to be responsible is estrogen as one of the specific roles of estrogen in the reproductive system is regulating menstrual fluctuations throughout the cycle. Headaches can occur when the estrogen and progesterone levels have changed. Women who take the birth control pill are even more susceptible to getting this condition as the pill influences estrogen levels.
Symptoms
Symptoms normally are like a classic migraine without the aura. They are extremely intense and after beginning as a one-sided, throbbing headache they progress to include nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to bright lights and sounds. Besides being more intense than other migraines they are also known to last longer up to 72 hours and to occur more frequently than at other times during the month.
Below are just some questions to consider if you think you might be suffering from menstrual migraine?
a) Do any women in your family suffer from migraine around the time of their period?
b) Are your migraines more severe during the time of your period?
c) Does the migraine usually last longer than 24 hours?
If you answer YES to any of these questions then it is a good idea to get a professional diagnosis.
Treatments
Various types of treatment are available to help with this condition and great strides have been made in preventative methods. Nsaids are taken 2 days before the onset of a period until the end of the period. Other drugs known as triptans are also showing good results in easing the symptoms. What is important to note is that most medication carries with it side effects and so if you are looking for an option without the side effects then other forms of natural therapy are available from homeopathy to tactile therapies that can be performed at home by the sufferer.
In addition to all of this, and may be it should come before any of this, is the need to ensure that you are hydrated and that your electrolytes (salts) are balanced. This one small measure can have an immense impact in the treatment of menstrual migraine and all other different types of headaches.
I have been a practicing complementary health therapist for over 8 years. Get my FREE report on the 'Power of Natural Healing' and let me help you treat your Menstrual Migraine