Why do I have headache every month right at the beginning of the menstrual phase (the period)?

Question

I have a headache every month either on the day before the period or on the first day of the period. Sometimes lighter sometimes worse. For the two times when I had 2 drinks of alcohol on that special day, it worsened during the night and I woke up with quite severe headache. Once the headache was so bad that I threw up 5 times compulsively. The headache is often on the top or back of my head, sometimes throbbing when it's severe. It get worse with exertion. Pills such as Ibuprofen works. Never had any vision change before headache. I'm a female in her 20's.

Answer 1

1. Eat regularly scheduled, well-balanced meals. Avoid missing meals because low blood sugar and hunger are frequent triggers for migraine attacks. On the other hand, avoid eating sweets or meals the contain a lot of carbohydrates because doing so might lead to a rapid drop in blood sugar levels two to three hours after you have these foods (this is sometimes called a “sugar or carbohydrate crash”).

2. Drink plenty of fluid. Avoid dehydration because this too is a frequent migraine trigger.

3. Get a good night’s sleep. Follow a regular and consistent schedule of waking and sleeping. Avoid going to bed late, “sleeping in,” becoming sleep deprived, or a haphazard sleep schedule.

4. Stay away from well-known migraine triggers such as wine, beer, or other alcohol containing drinks; chocolate and other sweets; aged cheeses such as cheddar or Brie; and salty foods, especially during the week before your period.

5. Participate in a regular aerobic exercise program. If you have not been exercising regularly, discuss exercise plans with your doctor or a personal trainer and set up a physical conditioning plan that matches your needs. Start your exercise program slowly and gradually build up your level of activity as your physical condition improves. This type of treatment works best if you continue the exercise program on a regular basis, not just on weekends or only once in a while.

6. Learn and regularly practice biofeedback and other relaxation techniques. These types of treatment have demonstrated excellent benefit in clinical studies; and best of all, there are no potential side effects.

Answer 2

I don't really know. I get a migraine usually the day of or the last day of my cycle. I was wondering the same. It can be really bad sometimes.

My doctor told me low iron. So I try to eat hot cereal on those days (iron fortified) but I have not been able to get rid of them completely.

It's obviously something hormonal and the cause may be different with each woman. The iron for me is helping, but not solving. I also use Excedrin Migraine, as that's the only meds that work for the headache, I use the Ibuprofen just for cramps.

I don't go into my GYN until April. I planned on asking then. If I ever remember I'll try to post what they said, but you know how that goes. March is a long way away!

Answer 3

I have had the exact same problem. My OB/GYN told me it's the surge of hormones that cause the headaches. She told me that if they get unmanageable that she would try some hormone supplements (probably a low dose of birth control pills). My headaches don't always go away with Ibuprofen. Something that I've been doing lately is drinking raw milk, instead of pastuerized. Raw milk has properties in it that are not in pastuerized milk (because they've been killed off due to the pastuerization process). These properties are supposed to help in hormone regulation. We'll see. I figured it is worth the try. I've found a lot of other benefits of the raw milk as well while doing some research on it. Check out http://www.westonaprice.org/index.html

It's a very politically incorrect view of health, but it makes a lot of sense.

Answer 4

I hope someone answers this question! Sorry, I don't know the answer but I am TTC, and for the past couple of days I have had a headache that wouldn't quit. I am Day 14 on my cycle, so I should be ovulating! I never thought that a headache could be a sign of ovulation, so I am curious as well! Good luck and BABY DUST!

Answer 5

okay. i'll try to put this as simply as i can. when a woman menstuates, her blood sugar naturally drops.
alcohol also lowers the blood sugar. if you are diabetic and not eating properly balanced meals, this could also lower your blood sugar. any or all of these factors can cause a headache or even a migraine headache. some people do vomit from their migraines.

if you took your blood sugar when you feel these symptoms, likely it would be low. don't drink alcohol during these times. have a half sandwhich in between meals and before bedtime. make sure it contains at least two ounces of a protein like cheese, turkey, chicken, tuna. if a sandwhich doesn't appeal to you you could have some low fat yogurt or cottage cheese with some fruit in it or a half of an apple with some cheese.

you ought to discuss this with your doctor to rule out any other possibilities. good luck to you. i sincerely hope this helps you out.

Answer 6

I also get headaches at that time and it is completely normal due to hormonal changes in the body. Take some aspirin for the headache and ibuprofin, yes, you can take both. You can take about 600 of each depending on weight, but it is normal. Do not worry too much.

Answer 7

I always got a headache the first day of my periods. That was one signal for me that it was coming. It doesn't sound like mine were as severe as yours are though. I don't know exactly why it happens, but it has to do with your hormones. Maye your doctor can give you something for it.

Answer 8

These are because of the hormone changes in your body and are migraines. See your doc if you want to get medication to help them. The nausea and vomiting with the severe headache are classic migraine symptoms.

Answer 9

Loss of iron. You need more in your diet. Also, do not use caffeine when you are trying to absorb more iron into your diet.