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Menopause

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Original poster

Migraines before period

23 replies

JennyFrog123 · 14/10/2023 07:38

Hi all, for quite some, I’ve noticed that I have a day / day and a half of migraines just before my period starts or on the day, quite possibly due to the hormone changes around that time of month. I take paracetamol but wonder / worry I might get immune to it it. Does anyone have any other remedies that have worked for them, including diet changes - e.g. cycle teas? I’m 44. Thank you!!

OP posts:

tommyspud · 14/10/2023 07:43

No advice to give really but I’ve literally gone on here this morning to read if there were other posts about the same issue! I’d say this has been in the last couple of months too. I’m similar age and again no diet or lifestyle changes other than cutting out alcohol completely nearly 6 months ago.
I take a daily magnesium and multi vitamin and have done for ages. Paracetamol doesn’t seem to have any effect on them, I just have to ride it out.

Viragok · 14/10/2023 07:43

This is an ongoing battle for me. Rebound headaches are definitely a thing (ie taking painkillers resulting in more headaches over time) so it's a difficult balance. I take Zolmitriptan- a prescription drug from the GP - and have found moderate success with anadin extra for some reason. Also HRT has helped a bit although not as much as I had hoped. Also cutting out booze.

tommyspud · 14/10/2023 07:46

@Viragok I’d wondered about the GP but didn’t know whether a prescription would be necessary as they’re only once a month, and have only started recently. Think I need to chat to the GP.

Pipperleen · 14/10/2023 07:53

I also get a guaranteed migraine just before I come on. Every single month without fail. I normally get one or two over the rest of the month too but they are less predictable.
If I ride it out, it gets too bad to go to work and I end up being uncontrollably sick for hours and hours.
It took me a couple of years to figure out what works for me and I tried several prescriptions until I found my magic combo - as someone has said above, I take 2.5mg Zolmitriptan plus one or two 30/500 cocodamol depending on how much it is hurting at that moment. If I catch it when a get the aura, I can manage with just one. Works every time. I also got given one of those gel migraine ‘hats’ that you put in the freezer, seems to work well whilst I am waiting for everything to kick in and sends me back to sleep if I wake up with the beginnings of a migraine in the middle of the night.

xmaself2023 · 14/10/2023 08:05

Sumatriptan is the only thing that works for my hormonal migraines

notanotherclairebear · 14/10/2023 08:06

I'm 37 and have had pre-period migraines since I came off the pill when trying to start a family. Paracetamol doesn't do anything but I've found that if I take ibuprofen as soon as I feel the first niggles behind my eyes that it seems to stop a full migraine coming on. I squirrel packs of ibuprofen away in every bag and the car so I don't get caught out! If I miss my ibuprofen window I will take a dose of ibuprofen and paracetamol at the same time. I haven't tried any herbal remedies or supplements though so following with interest

wildwestpioneer · 14/10/2023 08:45

I found ibuprofen tended to work better for my period migraine headache, if I took it as soon as I feel the twinge coming on I could sometimes avoid the migraine all together.

My game changer was a bag you can put water and ice cubes in, then put on your head, for me it relieves the pain and enables me to sleep - but you obviously can't be doing this in the middle of an office or in the car - it's more something that can soothe the migraine rather than prevent it.

MapleSyrupWaffles · 14/10/2023 08:49

I used to get this a lot, and then it settled down in my late 30s and 40s. But they've started up again now I am approaching menopause, and it's one of the things that makes me worry about starting HRT - the progesterone change is so dramatic with HRT, 2 weeks off and then 2 weeks on, and since that is thought to be one of the things that triggers pre-period migraines, I can't help but worry it will bring them back with a vengeance. I'm sort of tempted to wait until I've had no periods for a year, so that I could go on the continual HRT instead, also because I've got quite used to going several months without bleeding or cramps, and that's quite nice. Just the other symptoms that I could do without. So it's a trade off, putting up with those symptoms for a while longer, or trying the HRT sooner and maybe having the big progesterone changes that cause migraines, along with more bleeding and cramps again.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 14/10/2023 08:50

I take cocodomol (one or two depending how bad the pain is) and drink coffee.

It's not ideal but means I can work/function.

Putting Vicks on my temples and the back of my neck helps to.

PatFussy · 14/10/2023 08:51

I've found painkiller with lysine in to be the most helpful!

MapleSyrupWaffles · 14/10/2023 08:54

sorry I didn't get to the remedies bit of my post.

I was going to say that I found that caffeine helped, along with ibuprofen and paracetamol and codeine. If I could get the caffeine in early enough, it made a slight difference.
Also avoiding alcohol and dehydration in the days before might have helped - I always found that it was worse when I had some of those extra triggers, but I never was predictable enough with dates to know in advance when I had to avoid them.
A frozen gel eye mask was a bit of a comfort. Mostly I just curled up on the bathroom floor, as it was often dizziness that was the biggest issue and if I could just stay still, near the toilet for vomiting, that would be the best.

Horrid and I feel for you.

OpposableThumbs2 · 14/10/2023 08:56

I get migraines during my period for a few days. Only thing that has worked is a prescription for Frovatriptan.

If you go to your GP make sure you go armed with a diary of when the headaches/migraines happen compared to your cycle and what medication you have tried, for at least three months.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-headaches/

BrutusMcDogface · 14/10/2023 08:59

I also suffer with monthly migraines. The price we pay for being a woman 🙄

with mine, I can stop them if i take paracetamol at first twinge/ visual disturbance and then go to sleep, which obviously isn’t always possible.

BrutusMcDogface · 14/10/2023 09:00

Oh, and anti emetic I’ve been prescribed which I can’t remember the name of. That works a treat to get rid of the nausea.

slopsan · 14/10/2023 09:19

Sumatriptan! Makes me feel dire about 30 minutes after taking it, but shortly after that clears my migraine completely.

JinglingSpringbells · 14/10/2023 09:55

It's caused by falling progesterone.

There isn't a lot you can do other than take meds for migraine when it happens.

You can't become immune to paracetamol.
It's just a simple pain killer. Some people take it every day for all kinds of health issues.

britespark1 · 14/10/2023 09:58

I’ve had migraines for the last 4 years (now nearly 44) and mine seem to be hormone related. Dr prescribed candesartan daily as a preventative (after a few unsuccessful others) and then Rizatriptan melts for breakthroughs. I’m also on the mini pill to see if it regulates hormones but not sure if it’s helping or not.

Original poster

JennyFrog123 · 15/10/2023 07:46

Thank you all so much for the responses - mich appreciated! Have a great - migraine-free - Sunday!

OP posts:

Original poster

JennyFrog123 · 15/10/2023 07:49

So much to consider n the years to come! Thank you for your elaborate response!

OP posts:

poorlyhead · 15/10/2023 07:55

Mine are not that bad and not only at end of cycle but often are. They seem to be better in periods when I'm
exercising regularly and on the day, sunglasses, increased font size on screen and salt seem to help stop it worsening though I also use sumatriptan.

Mum2aTeen · 15/10/2023 07:59

I've suffered from migraines since I was 11, and now I'm 36. I get 1 before my period and one after occasionally I get a couple randomly.
I've been on so many preventative meda that I had to take daily. I gained over 20kgs on them (so i stopped taking them on guidance of my doctor), and then I had prescribed ones (zomig) they've also given me all types opiods and parentamol with codeine.
Which I didn't like as I hate the feeling of opiods in my system as parentamol and ibuprofen don't do anything for my migraines.
I now take 3 asprian and 2 paracetamol and sleep it off in a dark room, and that helps somewhat. I still have some high pain relief but try to stay away from them.
I also find drinking electrolyte drinks and caffeine drinks help at a certain stage (electrolytes drinks at the start and caffeine towards the end.
Maybe ask your doctor for a ct and mri scan.
I have to have a mri every 6 months just to keep check (I have a large amount of white and grey matter in my brain, so they want to make sure its ok) and then my hormones don't help.

waltzingparrot · 15/10/2023 08:06

I was a monthly migraine sufferer but a codeine phosphate prescription from the GP really helped. I'm post menopausal now so thankfully have just one or two a year.

Custardpudding · 15/10/2023 08:08

I’ve had for years and better now menopausal
I just used to chuck paracetamol and iboprofen down every two hours. They always stayed for three days no matter what I do! I try to take iboprofen with the first twinge. Also a hot shower with a good Shampoo and head rub. I still get three day migraines fairly often, not linked to hormones, so am going try the electrolyte drink! Mine now seem to be triggered by stress or not eating or drinking regularly.

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