Migraine is a neurological disorder that tends to affect women three times more then men. Almost 60/5 of all female migraine cases can be attributed to menstrual migraine. A characteristic feature of this type of migraine is the occurrence of various symptoms such as headache, irritability, vomiting, nausea and increased sensitivity to light, sound and smell, few days before the advent of the periods. This type of migraine can begin before the pre-menstruation syndrome and last throughout menstruation.

Menstrual migraines can be very annoying and can disrupt the normal functioning of a woman. Different women respond differently to these migraines and the symptoms can vary every month.

Causes of menstrual migraine:

The main cause of menstrual migraines is a fluctuation in the female sex hormones, particularly estrogen. As a woman approaches her menstrual cycle, a considerable fall in the level of this hormone is noticed. This is linked to the decrease in the level of serotonin, a chemical associated with migraines. Oral contraceptives also have an impact on estrogen; therefore, women taking contraceptive pills are at an increased risk for menstrual migraine.

Symptoms of Menstrual migraine:

The distinct characteristics of this type of migraine are excruciating pain on one side of the head, nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light, sound and smell. Certain women also feel a boost in appetite and craving for foods like chocolate, alcohol and salt is also experienced.

A menstrual migraine attack usually occurs two days before the start of the cycle and ends two days after the menstrual cycle. In most of the cases patients experience severe headache during the first three days of the cycle.

Treatment for menstrual related migraine:

Most of the women suffering from menstrual migraine take acute medication to treat their condition. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), dihydroergotamine (DHE) and triptans are some such acute medicines. For women suffering from severe and frequent attacks preventive treatment is suggested. Naproxen sodium, frovatriptan naratriptan, magnesium supplements etc. are some medications used to prevent menstrual migraine.

Other preventive forms of treatment include meditation, relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises, rest, aromatherapy, acupuncture, exercise and yoga.