MENSTRUAL MIGRAINES CAN BECOME CHRONIC MIGRAINES
Menstrual migraines that occur only monthly can progress into chronic migraines. Researchers are discovering that migraines beget migraines, the more you have the more you will tend to get. They are not sure why but suspect the brain goes into a state of hypersensitivity, making prevention- key.
Menstrual migraines are fueled by the drop in estrogen levels just prior to menstruation. True “Menstrual Migraines” occur at the time of menstruation. “Menstrually Related Migraines” occur throughout the menstrual cycle. Menstrual migraines are now considered a separate disorder from other types of migraine.
Menstrual migraines are difficult to control. Approximately 1 in 7 adults have migraines, but women are three times more likely to be affected than men and 60% to 70% report a menstrual relationship to their migraine attacks. Menstrual related migraine attacks are often more severe, last significantly longer, and are more resistant to treatment than the usual non-menstrual migraine attacks.
According to a study published in the medical journal, Cephalalgia:
- On average, a menstrual migraine lasted 23.4 hours vs 16.1 hours for non-menstrual migraines.
- Menstrual migraines cause more disability and inability to function in daily tasks than non-menstrual migraines
- Medications to treat the pain of migraines were 50% less effective when used to treat menstrual migraines.
- Even when the pain medication did work, the risk of the menstrual migraine reoccurring was much more likely.
The authors of the study concluded by saying – “Menstrual migraines may require a treatment approach different from that of non-menstrual migraines.”
Other literature indicates only 13.5% of sufferers are pain-free after 2 hours compared to 32.9% of non-menstrual migraine attacks. This indicates that 86.5% of menstrual migraine sufferers and 67.1% of non-menstrual migraine sufferers do not achieve complete relief from debilitating migraine pain after 2 hours.
The “Terrible Twosome” of Hormonal Fluctuations and Insulin Resistance Can Wreak Havoc on a Woman’s Over-All Health and Cause Symptoms of PMS, PCOS and Menstrual Migraines
Insulin resistance is the body’s inability to respond well to insulin, which controls blood sugar levels and can lead to Type II diabetes, abdominal weight gain and migraines. High insulin levels due to insulin resistance increase the production of the male hormone, testosterone. High testosterone levels cause symptoms such as body hair growth, acne, irregular periods and weight gain (all of these are PCOS symptoms).
There is a Direct Relationship between Hormones and Migraines
Headaches in women, particularly migraines, have been related to changes in the levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone before, during and after a woman’s menstrual cycle. Estrogen, progesterone and even testosterone levels can fluctuate significantly a few days before and after menstruation leading to migraines and causing symptoms of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) such as:
PMS Symptoms:
- Menstrual migraines
- Anxiety
- Overeating
- Breast Swelling
- Weight Gain
- Bloating
- Irritability & Mood Swings
- Abdominal and Pelvic Cramps
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Changes in Libido
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Acne
- Hives
PCOS Symptoms:
- Hair loss: similar to male pattern baldness
- Obesity and inability to lose weight
- Acne
Menopause and Migraines
Migraine headaches can severely affect women undergoing the changes of menopause. Statistics indicate that migraines in women tend to increase during the approach to menopause and during menopause; however, they tend to decrease or go away after menopause. It is also known that some women who have never had migraines develop them as they enter the period before (pre and peri-menopause) and during menopause.
Nutritional Support for Women with Hormonal Migraines
Key nutritional supplements have been proven beneficial for migraines sufferers. A great, drug free option for women suffering menstrual/hormonal migraines is Akeso Health Science’s MigreLief+M.
In addition to the 3 popular ‘Triple Therapy” ingredients in Original MigreLief, MigreLief+M contains 5 additional ingredients that have been shown to not only balance blood sugar swings and the hormonal fluctuations that lead to menstrual migraines, but to also significantly decrease PMS and PCOS symptoms.
Ingredients: (2 caplets contain)
Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2, 400 mg/day)*
Puracol Feverfew (100 mg/day)*
Magnesium (citrate/oxide, 360mg/day)*
Chasteberry extract (175 mg/day)
L-Theanine (100 mg/day)
D-Biotin (15 mg/day)
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (vitamin B-6, 100 mg/day)
Chromium Picolinate (1,000 mcg/day)
*Riboflavin, feverfew and magnesium are listed in the American Academy of Neurology’s Guidelines for Migraine Prevention (Detailed Ingredients Description)
MigreLief Making a Difference for Over 2 Decades
The “MigreLief Nutritional Regimen for Menstrual Migraine Sufferers” consists of taking MigreLief+M daily and fast-acting MigreLief-NOW “as-needed.” Until MigreLief+M, no one product was available to address both hormonal and blood sugar fluctuation, migraines and other symptoms associated with a woman’s hormones or menstrual cycle.
If unsure about migraine triggers, keep a MIGRAINE DIARY / TRIGGER TRACKER to determine the presence of menstrual migraines and note occurrence in relation to menstrual cycle , severity, and response to usual treatment.
MigreLief supplements have been changing the lives of migraine sufferers for over 2 decades. All MigreLief supplement were formulated by scientist Curt Hendrix. Curt holds advanced degrees in chemistry and clinical nutrition, and has dedicated his life to the research and development of innovative natural medicines. Curt’s research in the field of neurological disorders has resulted in grants from the US government’s National Institutes of Health where he was the principal scientific investigator for studying natural compounds for Alzheimer’s disease.
