If you are reading this, chances are you know exactly what I am talking about! The headache you get right before your period is going to start. You know that when this hits, you should start anytime. For some it can be an inconvenience, for others it's debilitating. I wanted to talk about this because I know it's a quality of life issue for so many women and it's something that really can steal their joy. There are a couple of reasons I have seen that contribute to this issue.
During the menstrual cycle, the levels of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body fluctuate. These hormonal fluctuations can affect the blood vessels in the brain, causing them to constrict and then expand, leading to the onset of a headache. Most commonly, in practice, I find that the drop in hormones is responsible for this headache. Particularly when progesterone is relatively lower than estrogen. This is very common in the ages of 35-50 as progesterone seems to tail off faster than estrogen on the road to menopause. If you missed my blog on progesterone, you can check it out here.
If that is going on with you, one of the best supplements I have found to gently encourage your own body to increase progesterone levels is a product called progestaid. It works beautifully on those who have not had a hysterectomy and have not gone yet gone all the way through menopause. You can create your account in my free dispensary and look for Progestaid. Here is a picture below. Many people only need this beginning around day 10 of their cycle (Day 1 is the first day of your period) until they start their period as this is the time of the month that your body naturally produces higher levels of progesterone. I have people start with 2 capsules per day (1 morning and one later in the day) and some can back down to 1 per day and still have the benefits.
Other factors that may contribute to headaches before your period include:
Serotonin levels: Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate pain, mood, and sleep, can fluctuate during the menstrual cycle. Changes in serotonin levels can trigger headaches.
Prostaglandins: Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that are released during menstruation. They can cause inflammation and pain, potentially leading to headaches.
Dehydration: Some women may experience increased fluid retention or dehydration during their menstrual cycle, which can contribute to headaches.
Stress and tension: Hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle can exacerbate stress and tension, which are known triggers for headaches.
Changes in sleep patterns: Hormonal fluctuations can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and an increased susceptibility to headaches.
Of course, there are other reasons why headaches can happen and they may just coincidentally show up around your menstrual period... Other types of headache include tension headaches or migraines unrelated to menstruation.
If you experience severe or recurrent headaches before your period that significantly impact your daily life , it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional. They can evaluate your symptoms, provide an accurate diagnosis, and recommend appropriate treatment options. This article is not designed to provide medical advice, but rather general information.
If you would like to speak personally about an issue you have going on, please feel free to schedule a discovery call. I will give you a short, free call and you can share what's going on so I can see if I can help.
To your health,
Dr. Jeni
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