When migraines and menopause occur together, women often experience exacerbated headaches, fatigue, and sleeplessness. Many of the symptoms of migraines and menopause overlap, making it difficult to choose the best pain relief treatment. Here are some commonly-asked questions regarding the early signs of menopause and ways to manage migraines at the same time.
Symptoms of menopause
Three to one, most migraine sufferers are women. Out of all women, about 70% will experience symptoms of menopause. Thus, it’s easy to see why migraines and menopause treatment is one of the most important health issues facing women today.
The most common symptoms of menopause include:
- Headaches
- Muscle stiffness
- Painful numbness or tingling in the extremities
- Itchy dry skin
- Hot or cold flashes
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Confusion, brain fog
- Vertigo, dizziness
- Hair loss
- Bone loss
- Weight gain
- Irregular menstruation
- Poor bladder control
- Gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting)
Symptoms of a Menstrual Migraine
Symptoms of migraines
If you already experience chronic migraine headaches, then you might not notice certain signs of menopause that mimic migraine attack symptoms or comorbid conditions, such as depression and anxiety.
Symptoms of migraines that mimic menopause include:
- Headaches
- Muscle stiffness
- Painful numbness or tingling in the extremities
- Hot or cold flashes
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Confusion, brain fog
- Vertigo, dizziness
- Gastrointestinal problems (nausea, vomiting)
At what age does menopause occur?
Perimenopause, the early onset of hormonal fluctuations, usually occurs in the early 40’s. Many women start experiencing early signs of menopause while still getting their periods. Usually, menopause continues well into your 50’s, but it’s not unusual for some women to suffer from both menopause and migraines indefinitely.
How will menopause affect my migraines?
Unfortunately, there are no hard and fast rules that can help you predict how your migraines will be affected by menopause. Hormonal fluctuations are often migraine headache triggers, but for some, they can cause no adverse effects whatsoever. Some women find that migraines drop significantly during pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause, while just as many females who get migraines complain of a spike in migraine headache attacks during “changes of life.”
What’s the best treatment for migraines and menopause?
Speak to your migraine headache specialist, neurologist, or general practitioner about finding an appropriate migraine management plan for menopause. He may suggest medications that are approved for the alleviation of both migraines and menopause together.
Also, natural treatments and healthy lifestyle choices may improve your chances of reducing migraine headache frequency and severity during menopause; they include:
- Keeping a migraine journal to track mood, eating habits, and headache frequency
- Exercising at least three times per week
- Following a migraine-friendly diet
- Reducing stress through meditation or counseling
- Using natural vitamins, minerals, and herbs that benefit women suffering from migraines and menopause, including vitamin B2 (riboflavin), coenzyme Q10, magnesium, and butterbur extracts
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Sources:
New Study: Migraine after Menopause Is Predictable
My-Oh-Migraine
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