How to Get Rid of Hormonal Migraines

Migraines have a variety of triggers. Some of the triggers for these debilitating headaches are changes in hormone levels. According to Dr. Edward Lichten, director of the Headache Institute for Women in Southfield, MI, women report that 80 percent of their headaches occur during hormonal events such as menses, pregnancy, menopause and when using birth control. Fluctuating estrogen levels contribute to the migraines. There are several methods a person can use to get rid of hormonal migraines.

Instructions

• 1

  Consider your diet, making sure it is rich in nutrients and vitamins. Women to Women offers a nutritional guide for healthy eating, including portion size and basic guidelines for healthy living (see Resource 1).

• 2

  Decrease the amount of toxins in your body. Add dietary supplements to your daily routine, regulating your hormonal balance. Some core nutrients you want to consider in your regimen include: essential fatty acids, calcium/magnesium and rich multivitamins.

• 3

  Try hormone control to get rid of hormonal migraines. Consult with your doctor to come up with a plan to counteract falling estrogen levels. Some physicians might prescribe continuous use of the birth control pill or estrogen patches.

• 4

  Take over-the-counter non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen or ibuprofen to counteract the brain's inflammatory response to hormonal changes. Ask your doctor for prescription-strength non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs if the over-the-counter drugs are not effective.

• 5

  Use caffeine to combat your hormonal migraines. It's found in many over-the-counter medications like Excedrin Migraine and reduces the pain and duration of headaches for hormonal migraine sufferers.

• 6

  Activate the serotonin receptors that allow blood vessels in the brain to constrict with triptans. This prescription medication, like Imitrex, comes in pill form, nasal spray or as a shot.

• 7

  Think about using a beta blocker or a calcium channel blocker to inhibit hormonal migraines.