According to a study published in the Journal of Headache and Pain, 21% of menstruating women experience period-related migraines. So headaches during periods or before your due date isn’t a mere coincidence. They’re a legit side-effect of the premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The hormonal changes that stir up your PMS are to be blamed for it. Unfortunately though, the afflictions don’t end here. Apart from headache, PMS can also cause abdominal cramps, bloating, acne, mood swings, and fatigue. Now, we get that dealing with all the discomfort down there while struggling with painful PMS symptoms like headache can be quite overwhelming. So here we are with all the info you need to relieve headache during periods naturally:
Headaches During Periods: Why Do They Happen?
Biologically speaking, when you’re halfway through your menstrual cycle (12-14 days after the first day of your last period), the estrogen levels are at their peak to support ovulation (the process in which the ovaries release an egg for fertilisation). Simultaneously, your progesterone levels also increase to support a possible pregnancy and help a fertilised egg attach itself to the uterus. After ovulation though, both these female sex hormones decline rapidly. This can affect your neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. As a result, the pain pathways in your brain can get activated and cause headaches during periods or a week or two before your period.
The American Headache Society (AHS), defines menstrual migraine as a throbbing headache that is strictly limited to the premenstrual and menstrual phase. It does not occur at other times of the month. An AHS report points out that it can happen due to release of prostaglandins, a hormone that helps the uterus contract to shed the uterine lining. In some cases, prostaglandins can increase pain sensitivity and cause flu-like symptoms. Additionally, the rapid change in estrogen and progesterone (female sex hormones) during periods can also cause headaches.
Symptoms Of Headache During Periods
Headache during periods are usually characterised by these symptoms:
-Mild to moderate pain in the head
-Continuous but bearable pain or throbbing
-Heaviness
-Slight dizziness
-Nausea
Hormonal Headaches Vs Menstrual Migraines
Hormonal headaches during periods and menstrual migraines are somewhat same same but different. They’re both triggered by a drop in the female sex hormones. However, they vary in tensity. While hormonal headaches are bearable and don’t interfere with your daily life activities, menstrual migraines are more severe, constant and can make it difficult for you to carry on with your day as usual. In case of a menstrual migraine, you may experience intense throbbing on one side of your head and this pain might travel to the other side of the head as well. It can majorly affect your ability to work, think straight or open your eyes especially when there are bright lights around. Unlike hormonal headaches during periods, menstrual migraines need medical intervention and a painkiller to relieve the pain.
How To Deal With Headaches During Periods
Headache during periods can be quite annoying. But these five effective home remedies can bring you some much-needed relief and help you ward off headaches like no other:
Apply A Hot Or Cold Compress
You can count on a hot or cold compress for quick relief from headaches during periods. According to the National Headache Foundation, cold packs should be applied on the forehead and temples while warm packs work best when applied on the neck and posterior part of the head. But remember to follow the 15-15 rule here. Apply the pack for 15 minutes in one go and then keep it off for the next 15 minutes to keep excess heat or cold from worsening your pain.
Sip On Ginger Tea
Ginger is nature’s best pain reliever. Boil a pinch of it in water and sip on some ginger tea twice or thrice a day. Your headache will subside for sure. The best part? Ginger tea can help alleviate the other symptoms of PMS like abdominal cramps, bloating, and nausea as well.
Massage
Use nerve-relaxing essential oils like lavender and peppermint to massage the temple of your head for a quick relief from headaches during periods. Even a good-old champi with coconut oil can help by boosting your blood circulation and lowering inflammation. Pro tip: warm the oil before applying to help relax your nerves and lower inflammation more effectively.
Up Your Water Intake
Dehydration is one of the most common causes of a headache. Being dehydrated especially when you’re on your period can make you more vulnerable to a headache or even worsen it. So drink at least three litres of water especially during shark week to keep headaches at bay.
Have Magnesium-Rich Foods
Hormonal fluctuations can lower your magnesium levels as well and cause pain in the abdomen or legs or head during your period. So add magnesium-rich foods like nuts and seeds, dark chocolate, avocado, and whole grains to your diet especially around and during shark week.
Sirona Recommends Best Product To Manage Headaches During Periods:
Sirona Herbal Headache Relief Patch
Period stress and hormonal changes can manifest as a full-fledged headache. But instead of popping painkillers, you can count on Sirona’s Herbal Headache Relief Patch for instant relief. Packed with the goodness of menthol, camphor, and clove oil, they’re a much-needed break from messy balms with a burning sensation. All this, minus any side-effects. Cool, right?
Folks, with this product in your kitty and these home remedies for headaches during periods to your rescue, we’re sure that shark week won’t be a painful one.
Featured Image: Pexels
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Understanding And Managing Periods With 5 Ps: Here’s how you can manage period pain without popping painkillers and harming your health.
6 Weird Things We All Do During Our Periods: Guilty as charged! We all do these weird period things during shark week.
