Terrible hormonal headaches - anyone know anything that helps?

[BewareTheBeardedFatMan]

I get terrible hormonal headaches around my period and ibuprofen, paracetamol, drinking lots of water does not help.

Resting in a quiet dark room would help - but being a single parent to 4 young children that ain't happening. I also don't get enough sleep - which also doesn't help but is impossible to change right now.

Does anyone else suffer and have any ideas which might help?

I also take 3 200mg ibuprofen every 12 hours. That works better as it's a loading dose.

Do you take magnesium? That tends to stop me getting them. I sympathise as I really suffer with the horrid things myself.

I suffer these too with all the same symptoms. Migratain (or Boots own brand Migraine Relief tablets - same active ingredient/dosage) are absolute lifesavers for me and nip migraines in the bud as soon as they begin monthly, like clockwork. My GP said probably due to low progestogen at that point in the cycle, IIRC, and that she suffered from them too. You can get the medication prescribed which may work out cheaper? Worth a try anyway. And drink plenty water.

@BewareTheBeardedFatMan

Would you consider buying the children wireless headphones for the T.V?

Then you could at least have some (sort of) silence!

I think the T.V has to have bluetooth.
Mine doesn't it's too old
like me

The only thing that helps mine or Syndol or Veganin tablets. I’ve only recently discovered veganin after a friend gave me 2. They are truly marvellous things and I think they’re even better than Syndol because they work more quickly.

Co codamol here too.

I didn’t get them when I did 90 days alcohol free. My sister swears being dairy-free helps. Hormonal headaches are horrible.

I'm not much of a drinker - but I don't drink at all if I feel a headache coming on because I know that makes it loads worse. I definitely couldn't give up dairy... I've just gone veggie, vegan is currently a step too far for me.

I might try magnesium, and definitely some of the over the counter meds until I can speak to a GP. Unfortunately dd is self isolating currently, and as she is just 6 this mean I effectively am too so no chance of popping out to pick anything up tomorrow. Crap.

I get a headache just as my period starts and just as it finishes, I think it's related to the oestrogen levels fluctuating.

I take co codomol and I drink a coffee (I'm not otherwise a coffee drinker!) I also rub Vicks vapour rub into my temples. Chocolate and cheese make it worse so I steer clear of them.

I can't take nsaids as I've suffered with gastritis in the past. The

I get them too.

Had a massive one yesterday, woke up nauseous with slight headache. Took paracetamol straight away to try and clear It before it got worse - no use. Took two more lots of paracetamol during the day which didnt touch. Ended up with massive headache in left side of my forehead and feeling like it was coming out through my eye. Had to leave work early and go to the chemist as I couldnt take any more. Got migraine tablets which massively took the edge off. It's still there now as I can feel it when the migraine tablets wear off bit is now bearable.

I take Propanolol (a beta blocker) every day for about 10 days before period is due and it seems to work. Had awful headaches for years before. GP prescribed them and I also take a magnesium supplement. Definitely worth seeing your doctor, good luck, I know how miserable they are!

The absolute best medication I ever had for this was something called Migramax. Had to get it on prescription, but it worked. Came as a soluble power and was basically a form of aspirin that worked solely on the brain. It treated some of the hellish migraines I had as a teenager.
Mine are less bad and much less frequent now and alka-seltza is enough to knock them on the head nowadays.

Ice packs on your head and or neck or getting outside in the cold really works for my migraines. I get them for three or four days every period and it's so disabilitating. Really hot tea and eating crunchy food also helps. I know it sounds strange but I've tried all sorts of pain relief and sometimes simple things help more.

I had them last month and started taking effercescent vitamin C and Zinc from Waitrose. No idea why but it sorted them right out.

Definitely try the magnesium- I’ve stated taking about 600mg a day about 6 weeks ago and not had a headache since. I wish I’d known about this 20 years ago! And also only just got round to trying triptans just before the magnesium- they also worked really well but I’ve not needed to take one since starting the magnesium. It feels like a miracle.

I didnt realise this was a thing! I get a crazy headache every month like clockwork with my period for 2 days. I pop ibuprofen after ibuprofen which lessens but not get rid of the throbbing plus stabbing pains through my neck and behind eye. Paracetamol does nothing. Have never seen a GP about it cos I was afraid I'd be dismissed.
Thanks for sharing the magnesium tip.
I dont react well to codeine so cocodamol is out.

Johnny I get that too, neck goes then pain in eye etc.

Mine is always about a week before though?

OK also intrigued by magnesium!

I take amitriptyline daily to prevent mine. If one does happen I find Nurofen plus and paracetamol together knocks it on the head.

Sugar makes mine worse, which is a real kicker

I get these and migraines too. I've had to take Sumatriptan in the past to help.

Two things have recently really helped: acupuncture and isoflavones. I didn't even realise the isoflavones capsules were working until I stopped taking them to save money and noticed the difference before my next period (headaches back).

Hope this helps you.

Try the dark blue syndol tablets. Weirdly cocdamol doesn't work for me but they do.. and much better than sumatriptan

What brand of magnesium to people buy? How do you know if a band is a good one?

I take Solgar Magnesium. Totally agree with PPs that this has helped loads. In the past, I agree re Anadin Extra, full-fat coke, ice-pack on forehead/back of neck. Weirdly, salt and vinegar crisps really help me. Also, Buccastem from the chemist stops sickness as I used to vomit. My GP prescribed something similar which works out cheaper. Good luck! It took me a while to get these under control but have a tried and tested response now. Top tip - I have an emergency headache kit in my bag at all times so can nip in the bud wherever I am - it's worth catching one early before it has a chance to "set in". Good luck

Definitely magnesium supplements. They really helped reduce mine.

Apparently it’s the magnesium bisglycerate that you want.