Menstrual migraine

Menstrual migraine….what a doozy…if you experience these you’ll know what I’m talking about. A monthly dose of fatigue, brain fog and anxiety that leads into a stiff neck, throbbing head pain, sensitivity to light and sound, and if you’re really unlucky - nausea and vomiting to boot! It’s enough to leave you counting down the days till menopause….

Some women only ever experience headache or migraine around their period, and for migraine sufferers this can be a ‘danger time’ where they are much more susceptible than other times of the month. There are many factors at play here, one of the most important being the drop in oestrogen that occurs just before your period - the bigger the drop and the less progesterone available to cushion the fall, the more intense your monthly brain pain will potentially be. Thus, ensuring hormones are in balance is a priority of treatment.

Managing menstrual migraine is also about the choices you make every other day of your cycle as much as anything. Reducing inflammation is a big one so this might mean omitting dairy or cutting way back on sugary and processed foods. Going gluten free can also be a game changer - wheat has been found to be a common migraine trigger and this certainly made a difference for me. Stress management throughout the month will also influence how your period plays out.

In the days before and during your period it will likely also help to avoid alcohol completely, and try to minimise your intake of high histamine foods such as aged meats and cheeses, fermented foods, and anything cured or smoked. And finally, take this time to give yourself a break - don’t overcommit to things and try to avoid stressful situations.

Of course, there are also important nutrients that may be required such as Magnesium and B vitamins, and potentially iron if there is a deficiency present. I also like to support my client’s nervous system and stress response throughout the month with liquid herbs to encourage hormonal balance and healthy neurotransmitter production.