Could Your Migraines Be Hormone-Related
For many women, migraines are a regular part of life. If you’ve ever suffered from a migraine, you know just how debilitating they can be. More than 1 billion people worldwide deal with the condition, most of them are female.
Not only are they incredibly painful, but they can also cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. If you’re dealing with migraines on a regular basis, you might be wondering why they occur and if they could be related to your hormones.
Let’s take a look at what the research says.
Headaches can be triggered by a number of factors, including stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, and changes in weather. And while there are many potential causes of migraines, one often-overlooked factor is hormones. Changes in hormone levels can trigger migraines, and this is especially common in women.
Hormone related migraines
Hormone-related migraines are extremely common, affecting approximately 75% of women. So if you are one of them, you’re not alone!
The most common culprits behind hormone-related migraines are changes in estrogen levels. But what does that mean in simple terms?
How can hormones cause Migraine?
Estrogen plays a role in dilating and constricting blood vessels, and when levels fluctuate rapidly, it can cause headaches. That means that at times when estrogen levels drop suddenly, blood vessels constrict and dilate, which can lead to headaches.
The other factor that can cause migraine is a condition called estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance occurs when there is too much estrogen in the body relative to progesterone.
In addition, estrogen dominance can also lead to an imbalance of neurotransmitters, which has been linked to migraines.
Women are especially susceptible to migraines during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause due to changes in estrogen levels. As you know, hormone levels fluctuate throughout our lives, and these changes can have a direct impact on our health.
Additionally, some birth control pills and other medications can affect hormone levels and contribute to migraines.
What you can do to manage hormone-related migraines (More concrete solutions!)
Hormone-related migraines can be both frustrating and debilitating. For many women, it can be a monthly struggle. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are some things that you can do to help manage your hormone-related migraines.
First, it’s important to track your cycle and identify when you are most likely to experience a migraine in order to identify patterns. This can help you to plan ahead and take steps to prevent a migraine from occurring. Try keeping a diary or using a smartphone app to identify patterns. Once the patterns have been identified, steps can be taken to prevent migraines from occurring.
One important way to help prevent estrogen dominance and migraine is to keep your liver clean. The liver plays an essential role in hormone metabolism and can help to remove excess estrogen from the body. To keep your liver clean, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid alcohol and toxins.
Another way to help prevent estrogen dominance is to pay attention and reduce the intake of environmental estrogens. These hormones are naturally present in non-organic meat and dairy, but also find their way into plastics or pesticides in everyday products such as water bottles, food containers, and cleaning substances. They may alter normal hormone levels which could lead us down a slippery slope toward major illness.
In addition, changing your diet to a clean diet with healthy fats, enough protein and loads of leafy greens can help you prevent migraine. Furthermore, some women find that certain supplements, such as magnesium or riboflavin, can help to prevent or relieve migraines. Sport is another prevention factor!
With a little bit of effort, diet and lifestyle change, it is possible to manage hormone-related migraines and live a normal, active life.
Take Away
If you’re suffering from migraines, it’s important to explore all possible causes.
Hormonal fluctuations are one potential trigger that is often overlooked. You can take a hormone quiz on my website to figure out if your hormones are imbalanced. If it is so, talk to an expert about treatment options and supplements. Develop a treatment plan that works for your body.
With the right care, you can minimize the frequency and severity of your migraines and enjoy a better quality of life.
I’m here if you want to evaluate your hormone levels and find the root cause of your migraines.
