Some women find relief from headaches after menopause; some find the headaches are worse and more frequent, especially in the years leading up to menopause. Some women may find themselves having migraines for the first time ever. [Read Kara’s story of migraines, hormones and pregnancy.]
So, can menopause cause headaches? Well, Around 60% of women in perimenopause and menopause report new or increased head pain. That would strongly indicate "yes."
Why menopause headaches happen (or stop happening)
Estrogen and progesterone drop just before your period starts, so women whose headaches are triggered by hormone withdrawal (who knew that was a thing?) may find head pain intensifies in perimenopause when hormone levels are fluctuating and declining overall. The good news is, hormonal headaches generally decline or stop altogether after menopause. They can also be caused by high blood pressure, and at times heart palpitations, both of which can onset during menopause.
When to consult a doctor
If your headaches are worse and start to interfere with your life, see a doctor. Yes, changes are normal during this time when everything is changing, but a doc can determine if what you’re experiencing needs medical intervention. Further, a health care professional who specializes in headaches and migraines can help you identify triggers and establish a treatment plan.
If headaches are interfering with your day-to-day life, a Gennev menopause-certified gynecologist can give you a trusted opinion, determine if medication is right for you, and they can provide prescription support. Book an appointment with a doctor here.
Treatment for menopause headaches
The solution may depend on the trigger. Generally, if the reduction in hormones triggers headaches, low-dose birth control pills may provide some relief.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can also help level out hormones during the transition of perimenopause and into menopause, but because triggers and responses are so unique, women should work closely with their doctors to get the treatments right, including dosage and how the treatment is delivered. Also, perimenopause isn’t a time of consistent, dependable decline, so monitoring closely and shifting treatments accordingly will be necessary for many women.
For women with a history of breast cancer or blood clots, HRT may not be the treatment route of choice. In that case, there are several paths that can help.
Identify and banish triggers
Specialists often recommend that those with head pain keep a food and drink journal for several months. This can help identify triggers so they can be eliminated from your diet. (Spoiler alert: coffee, wine, chocolate, and some cheeses are common triggers. We know, bummer.)
Use alternative pain-management strategies
Biofeedback, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques have shown promise in helping people reduce and manage all kinds of pain, including headaches. How long do your menopause headaches last?
Lifestyle changes
Menopausal head and neck pain can be greatly improved by regular, consistent sleep patterns; exercise can help your body relax and promote better sleep and circulation; water retention may be partly responsible for your head pain, so reducing salt and hydrating are good things to try. Cut out smoking, of course, if you possibly can. I found that better eye care helped me: I needed to move to reading glasses, plus my eyes are dryer now. The constant squinting and strain were making headaches worse and getting the right prescription and some over-the-counter drops helped enormously. And I got a nice big monitor that is easier to see and a better ergonomic fit than looking down at my laptop. See? Lifestyle changes. They actually do help.
CBD
Many women find real relief with CBD oil. While science hasn't yet determined why CBD helps with pain, there is certainly lots of anecdotal evidence that it does, so you may want to give it a try.
It’s frustrating, we know: headaches may get better, they may get worse. Hormones may help or hurt. Menopause could mean the end of migraines or the beginning. Whatever you experience, there is help. And making good lifestyle changes like getting regular sleep, drinking more water, and exercising in the fresh air certainly won’t hurt you.
We'd Love To Hear About Your Menopause And Headache Stories
We’d love to know if you’ve experienced changes. Even if you’re not perimenopausal, what’s your experience with head pain? Every voice or menopause story adds to the conversation, so please join in in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter.
The information on the Gennev site is never meant to replace the care of a qualified medical professional. Hormonal shifts throughout menopause can prompt a lot of changes in your body, and simply assuming something is “just menopause” can leave you vulnerable to other possible causes. Always consult with your physician or schedule an appointment with one of Gennev's telemedicine doctors before beginning any new treatment or therapy.
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