Menstrual Migraine Symptoms

Learning to recognise the symptoms of menstrual migraine is the first step in finding relief from acute and chronic pain.

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Menstrual Migraine Treatment

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What is a Menstrual Migraine?

Menstrual migraine (also known as hormonal headache) is a type of persistent migraine that’s triggered by changes in hormones throughout your menstrual cycle.
There are two types of menstrual migraine:

Pure menstrual migraine – These migraines occur exclusively during menstruation. They occur typically on day 1 of your cycle. The migraine occurs in at least 2 out of 3 consecutive menstrual cycles.
Menstrually related migraine – These migraines follow the same pattern as pure menstrual migraines, but they occur at other times of the month too – typically at the start of menstruation and in the middle of your cycle.

Menstrually related migraine is the most common form of menstrual migraine. Pure menstrual migraines are rarer. Menstrual migraine affects a significant number of women during their menstrual years.

a woman lying in bed with a compress on her head

Common Symptoms of Menstrual Migraines

The symptoms of menstrual migraines are similar to other types of migraine, but they’re often more severe. You may experience:

Migraine or headache with your cycle
Mild to severe pain in the head, face and neck
Pain in one or both sides of the head
Sensitivity to light, sound and smells
Muscle tightness and soreness in the head, face, neck and shoulders
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness and confusion
Feeling tired and irritable

Some people also experience a visual “aura” before the onset of a menstrual migraine. An aura often appears as blind spots or flashing lights in your vision.

There is typically no aura with menstrual migraine.

What Causes Menstrual Migraines?

Menstrual migraines are associated with a drop in oestrogen and progesterone around day 22-24 of your cycle. These hormone levels peak and trough over a monthly cycle which may lead to headaches or migraines, as the brainstem is sensitised to these changes.

The link between oestrogen, progesterone and migraines is not fully understood. The hormones themselves aren’t to blame. The Watson Headache® Approach suggests that the central nervous system has an abnormal response to hormone fluctuations.

Hormonal changes trigger the blood vessels in your head to expand and contract. The body perceives this activity as harmful, and your head hurts as a result.

How Are Menstrual Migraines Diagnosed?

The best way to diagnose menstrual migraine is to track your menstrual cycle and when each migraine occurs. To be diagnosed as a menstrual migraine, the migraines must occur:

During a window of 2 days before to 3 days after the start of menstruation,
During 2 out of 3 consecutive menstrual cycles.

For people living with menstrually related migraines, migraines may also occur at other times of the month.

We recommend using a diary or the calendar app on your phone to track your cycle and the occurrence of migraines. Bring the calendar to your appointment at the Headache, Neck and Jaw Clinic so we can identify the cause of your migraines.

Treatment Options for Menstrual Migraines

There are several clinically-proven options available for treating menstrual migraines, including physiotherapy.

Specific treatment to your neck can play a significant role in helping menstrual migraines and hormone related headaches.

Hormonal changes sensitise the brainstem and cause migraines, manual therapies are effective in desensitising the central nervous system. Treatment to the neck helps to retrain the body and can provide long-term relief from the symptoms of menstrual migraines.

Need Relief?

Our physiotherapists at the Headache, Neck and Jaw Clinic can provide relief for acute and chronic menstrual migraine. Book your appointment online today!

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Menstrual Migraine Treatment