Menstrual migraines in perimenopause - what do you take?

[DogTiredAllTheTime]

After my second pregnancy, back in 2001, I developed menstrual migraines. They have a clear pattern when they come (1-2 days before) and the minute my period came they disappeared. Also made worse if I skip meals. They came for around 1-2 years then disappeared.

Roll forward 24 years and they have returned in exactly the same pattern.

Problem is when I went to the GP in 2001, he told me it was all in my head and there was nothing wrong with me and they weren’t migraines. He asked me how many painkillers I was taking and he decided unilaterally that it was rebound headaches and that was it. Told me to stop taking painkillers and implied I was a hysterical woman (fgs!).

I went abroad and saw a doctor there who gave me a Triptan (don’t know which one) and it worked.

What would a doctor do now if I asked? Do they give triptans for menstrual migraines or do I just need to try and live with it.

I’m 52

(Btw they only last 1-2 days a month so I really don’t think it’s medicine over usage)

I’m fine with migraleve but is better if I take it as soon as one is coming on. I also have a stash of something salty (crisps) and mini cans of coke as there is evidence salt and caffeine/ sugar helps

I feel your pain. I am currently suffering now and have had horrendous pain for the last 24 hours.
Have tried lots of things for them but have not found anything yet that helps with menstrual migraine OP.
They are the worst.
Sorry not to be more positive!

You should be able to get triptans now with no trouble. I can’t believe you’ve had to suffer for so long!

I’ve had menstrual migraines since I was 43. Nothing seems to prevent them from happening - tried beta blockers, high dose riboflavin, cutting alcohol and sugar and all forms of carbs etc. HRT hasn’t helped at all, unfortunately.

100mg sumatriptan helps with the pain but not the fatigue / brain fog. If one tablet doesn’t sort the pain, another dose a few hours later generally does. Mine last 2-3 days, I generally take sumatriptan 2x a day for the duration of the attack and then one day I wake up and am not in pain and it’s over until the next time I ovulate or am about to start my period.

Frovatriptan is meant to be best for menstrual migraine, but it didn’t work for me at all.

Good luck!

Triptans - a migraine is a migraine. Your doctor sounds like an idiot.

co-codamol is what I take. back it up with paracetamol and ibruprofen.

Similar experience with my GP, pharmacist was but more helpful. I rarely take painkillers, just for migraines so rebound headaches unlikely. I do find that magnesium helps - often take something like high 5 electrolyte tabs can help.

i had hassle from a pharmacist when triptans first came out (many years ago) for some reason he commented on how much I was costing the nhs (back when it was branded only).So I can empathise that the GP back then was unprofessional towards you.
apart from that pharmacist I have never had a problem getting triptans since then.
I’ve experienced many hormonal migraines over the years, what works for me is a Triptan plus decent painkiller, usually something with a bit of codeine in like nurofen plus - get from pharmacy. Others find that codeine based meds don’t help.

I started to get migraines with perimenopause - just on one side of my face. Awful. Normal pain killers had no effect. Doc prescribed sumatriptan and they worked. HRT helps a lot too. I would definitely see another doctor and insist. There is no way you should be putting up with migraines every month.hope you get it sorted.

Thanks all - that gives me hope! I will go back and push for them

Mefenamic acid. Normally for heavy bleeding but research shows good for menstrual migraine too

Yes do I just discovered them. Had no idea as back in 00s was just told to bog off. Make sure you make it clear the migraines are ruining your life and should get it no problem. You'll also want naproxen.

Basically you can take a Triptan, and an nsaid (anti inflammatory) painkiller (like naproxen, ibuprofen) and paracetamol together.

So my migraine plan is 1 sumatriptan, 2 naproxen and 2 paracetamol. If its not going after 25 mins I take another sumatriptan. Had changed my life. Gone in 40 mins. It can come back for next day but the meds still work again, then it's usually gone.

I found asprin 300mg helps

Also take magnesium citrate daily.

I have started getting migraines for the first time in perimenopause. I have a family history- both my mum and grandmother had hormonal migraines.
Mine start as a headache and if left ending with copious vomiting.
I now take a cocktail of aspirin, antiemetic (buccastem) and zolmitryptan plus lie down with a tens machine at the first sign.

Sumatriptan.

I had migraines during puberty and then nothing until early pregnancy when I got one in each pregnancy. And then nothing until peri. Now I get dreadful migraines at a couple of points in my cycle. My gp prescribed sumatriptan and it really helps although like the poster above I am still left with the post-drome effects.

Mounjaro, even at the lowest dose, has stopped them completely for me, for the last 8 months. Also magnesium citrate at night, and Zero electrolyte tablet in water every morning. And lots of fluids generally.

Co codomol and caffeine help but sometimes I just have to sleep.

Another vote for sumatriptan and sleep. Sometimes caffeine helps. I really (literally) feel your pain!

They’re horrible, and your doctor is an absolute arsehole. 😡 I would complain about him. Arsehole.

Oh yes, and an anti-emetic (can’t remember the name; it’s upstairs in my bedroom if I remember to pop back here and say!)

I take an imigran which usually works you may be pleased to know my migraines are few and far between now I’m post menopause

Could it be cyclizine?

I'm the opposite to you - had them from my very first period and only stopped getting them when I had babies! Suffered for about 20+ years 😔 so debilitating.

Sumatriptan is what you need. And coca cola and sleeping it off also worked for me. Oh, the places I've slept!

It’s Prochlorperazine 😊 it’s quite magical stuff.

I get these too, never found anything that helps unfortunately 💐