Three out of four people who suffer from migraine headaches are women, most of who are between the ages of 20 and 45. While you might be quick to blame it on job, family and social obligations, Daniel O’Reilly, MD, a neurologist on staff at Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, says hormones may be to blame.

When estrogen and progesterone drop during a women’s menstrual cycle, it may trigger a migraine because estrogen controls chemicals in the brain that affect a woman’s pain sensation. As a result, women tend to report more painful and longer lasting headaches than men. They also experience more symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.

“Female hormones are partially to blame for the reasons why women experience more migraines than men,” Dr. O’Reilly says. “These are serious, severe headaches that should be diagnosed and treated by a physician.”

Distinctive symptoms

Migraines can be characterized by severe, disabling headache pain. Although they can last from 30 minutes to a few days, the average migraine lasts six to eight hours and is often accompanied by distinctive symptoms including:

• Pounding or throbbing pain in the front or both sides of the head
• Sensitivity to sound and light
• Presence of aura prior to the headache
• Irritability
• Nausea, vomiting and/or abdominal pain
 

Consult your family physician if you have any of these symptoms. An accurate diagnosis will not only get you the treatment and relief you need, but could also help you control risk factors for stroke. New research suggests that women and men who suffer from migraines are about twice as likely to suffer a stroke caused by a blood clot. Your doctor can work with a neurologist to diagnose migraines based on your symptoms, a complete neurological exam and family history.

Put a stop to migraines

Although doctors believe fluctuations in estrogen can trigger migraines in women, there are other common causes that can be avoided, including:

• Physical and emotional stress
• Skipping meals, or consuming too much caffeine, MSG, or nitrates
• Inadequate sleep
• Environmental factors such as strong odors, glaring light and loud noise

Cope with migraines by keeping a headache diary to record the specifics of an episode and what might have triggered the headache; practicing relaxation techniques; getting adequate sleep; or adjusting your diet.

When coping mechanisms are not enough, triptans (seratonin receptor agonists) may be helpful in stopping a migraine from evolving. For frequent migraines, daily preventive therapy with anticonvulsants or antidepressants is helpful in reducing headache frequency.

To find a physician who can help diagnose migraines, call us at 866-533-7968.