Relationship Between Hormones & Migraines

While both men and women can get migraines, they tend to occur more with women. Incidence of migraines in females increases dramatically after the onset of menstruation. This leads experts to believe that there is a connection between hormones and migraines.

Types

• Hormone-related migraines can be associated with a woman's menstrual cycle, but they can also be related to hormonal irregularities in the brain of women and men.

Characteristics

• Migraines can occur several days before or during a woman's menstrual period. The migraines usually correlate with drops in the estrogen level.

The Facts

• According to the National Headache Foundation, about 60 percent of female migraine sufferers have them during their menstrual cycles.

Considerations

• High levels of the stress hormone cortisol also have been linked to migraine headaches.

Prevention/Solution

• There are several ways to minimize your chances for a migraine: exercise, healthy diet, sufficient sleep and relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga.