My daughter has been having serious migraines, do you know if this could lead to her period?

Answer 1

Yes, my niece has them before her period.
Here is more on a website that talks about it: http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/caz/neur/hach/alert03252004.jsp

Hormones May Affect Women's Migraines
Women are three times more likely than men to have migraines. Hormones could cause attacks for some women. Although migraines are more difficult to manage in women, even those who have severe migraines can keep their attacks in check.

The ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone, which are reproductive hormones that regulate the female reproductive system. Some researchers believe fluctuations in these reproductive hormones can lead to the unpredictability and severity of migraines. The initial rise in estrogen that marks the start of menstruation may also bring on attacks, or more likely, worsen existing migraines. Pregnancy and menopause are also triggers.

Here are patterns relating migraines to hormonal changes:

The menstrual cycle

Migraines often occur around the menstrual period, often two days before, during and one day after. In one survey, about two-thirds of women suffered more severe migraine headaches during their menstrual period. This is a clue that attack onset may be tied to a decrease in estrogen. In fact, some women have migraines almost exclusively around the time they have their periods. These are called menstrual migraines.

Antidepressants, antihypertensives and antiseizure medications are all used successfully to prevent menstrual migraines. These drugs are often used with medications that abort, or cut headaches off early.

Keep a headache diary

Record your headache experiences in a diary. Keep track of the time of day and how long your attack lasts. Note the nature of headache pain and the details of your symptoms such as aura, nausea and vomiting. Many medications can treat and prevent migraine attacks. Finding the right combination may take some trial and error. With patience, perseverance and by keeping a headache diary, you can work with your doctor to manage your migraines.

Here is another website: http://www.webmd.com/content/article/46/1826_50692.htm
What Triggers a Migraine?

Many migraines seem to be triggered by external factors. Possible triggers include:

Emotional stress.
Sensitivity to specific chemicals and preservatives in foods.
Caffeine.
Changing weather conditions.
Menstrual periods.
Excessive fatigue.
Skipping meals.
Changes in normal sleep pattern
http://www.webmd.com/migraines-headaches/guide/migraines-headaches-hormones-headaches
Medical Information from the Cleveland Clinic: Migraines and Headaches: Hormones and Headaches
It has been estimated that 70% of migraine sufferers are female. Of these female migraine sufferers, 60%-70% report that their migraines are related to their menstrual cycles -- hence the name, menstrual migraines.

What Is the Relationship Between Hormones and Headaches?
Headaches in women, particularly migraines, have been related to changes in the levels of the female hormone estrogen during a woman's menstrual cycle. Estrogen levels drop immediately before the start of the menstrual flow.

Premenstrual migraines regularly occur during or after the time when the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, decrease to their lowest levels.

You should have your daughter and you go see a doctor to find out what would be best for her to help her with her migraines. I wish her many years of migraine free days.

Answer 2

I have migraines very frequently and I have been having them since I was about 5 yrs old. I know the absolute pain that your daughter is going through. The first time I went to the doctor for my migraines, I was in the 5th grade and I hadn't started my period yet. My doctor said that could be the reason. I continued to have migraines even after I got my period in 7th grade. I delt with the pain until my first year of college and I then decided to see my doctor again. I had an MRI done and I was then referred to a neurologist. My MRI came back ok and the Dr. said that migraines can be hereditary and that I inherited that awful trait from my both my mom and dad who both suffer with migraines. The Dr. perscribed a preventive medicine and a pain medicine for when the pain kicks in. The combination actually works and I now have way fewer migraines.

Answer 3

My son had migraines as a child. You can try something with a LITTLE caffeine, like coca-cola. Caffeine is a vascodilator, meaning it causes expansion of the blood vessels, which can help a migraine. They put caffeine in over the counter migraine medication. Do keep the house quiet and dark. If she'll take liquid pain medication, give her that in an appropriate dose.

Answer 4

If you're positive that they're migraines, It could very well be time for her first gynecologic visit. If it's not related, and she's old enough for you to be thinking that it might be, then, she's not too young for her first visit either.

I started getting migraines a couple of months before I got my first period and still get them about a week beforehand now.

Answer 5

I agree that it is a very wise thing to rule out that the headaches/migraines are not associate with an illness or disease.

For headaches and migraines, the only thing that I have found that completely eliminates the recurrence is Natural Cellular Defense, liquid zeolites.

Check out the research links at the blog site below.

Answer 6

my daughter was diagnosed with migraines at the age of 9. unfortunately they run in my family. she wasn't getting headaches at that time though, she would say that her stomach hurt and then start vomiting on and off for a few hours and then say she felt fine. i took her to the doctor because they seemed to be coming in a "monthly" cycle. doc said that once puberty came the headaches would come. and sure enough her period came and so did the headaches.

Answer 7

Headache is a pain in the head, scalp or neck.
Headaches can be caused by minor problems
like eyestrain, lack of coffee or more serious reasons
like head injury, brain tumors, encephalitis and
meningitis. Taking painkillers continuously can
have harmful side effects, so it is better to
modify your lifestyle. More information available at

Answer 8

There's a new development in migraine therapy:
http://www.neurologyreviews.com/feb04/nr_feb04_foramen.html

Answer 9

Lead her to your doctor.
WHy risk her health on guess by people that dont know either of you

Answer 10

good question!