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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Are migraines linked to hormones

    Related Topics
    Migraines & Headaches Neurology
    I have noticed that I tend to get a migraine just before my period or during ovulation. Is there a link between hormones and migraines? If so how are they related?
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    Dr Michael Cohen

    Chiropractor

    Dr Michael Cohen, Chiropractor is co-founder of the Chirosports Group one of Australia's leading groups of Chiropractors working together since 1994. Dr Michael Cohen Chiropractor … View Profile

    In my experience as a Chiropractor I commonly find that mirgaine headache causes fall into the categories of emothion, physical and / or chemical.  When we say chemical, this includes hormones because we are referring to the chemistry of the human body.  An imbalance or change in the natural state of balance in human chemistry may be the trigger of migraine headaches.

    To help manage the control of the chemical functioning of the human body, management of nerve flow is an important factor.  For this reason, Chiropractic care may offer a natural treatment to help with the underlying cause of migraine headaches that may be linked to a chemical or hormonal cause.

    With all health care it's important to be conservative and thorough, and it's also great to be in a situation where you can prevent the migraine rather than treat it.  Chiropractic care may offer you a solution.

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    Migraine & Headache Australia

    The mission of Migraine & Headache Australia is to reduce the incidence and impact of the headache disorder through the provision of community awareness and … View Profile

    Yes, and this accounts for the higher proportion of women suffering migraines. The overall ratio is about two thirds women to one third male. However, the proportion of women whose migraines are linked to hormonal changes within the cohort of all women who suffer migraines is not known. Nor are there any studies about whether there is a connection with testosterone levels or changes in men with the onset of migraines. 

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    Anonymous

    I am a migraine sufferer and find that my headaches occur around my ovulation and menstruation days. I also find they come from my neck if I don't have regular massage or chiro treatments. I find that when I go regularly to my chiro that sometimes I can get through a month without a migraine at all.

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    Helen Potter

    Physiotherapist

    As a Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, with extensive experience and highly advanced qualifications, as well as excellent communication skills, I can help you to: Become informed … View Profile

    Hi,

    Migraines tend to be multifactorial. By that I mean a combination of factors contribute.
    We seem to have a threshold above which a headache occurs.

    For some women just being premenstural (a time when oestrogen levels drop) can trigger a migraine. Other women are fine premenstrually but get a migraine if they are stressed, and have a sore neck AND are premenstrual. Keeping a diary will help you work out if your hormone levels are a significant factor. Then you can develop strategies or seek advice.

    Each person is individual so it is a matter of being methodical and identifying what helps you personally best. As a physiotherapist I do often treat clients whose postural neck strain can feed into their migraine or headache cycle. For others the neck is only a minor factor.

    Physio,chiro or massage etc will therefore help some people and not others. You need to discover what is best for your particular headache. Keep in mind that the more you can identify triggers and care for yourself the less money and time you will spend seeking that magical cure from someone else!

    Helen Potter Specialist Physiotherapist Subiaco

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    Dr Rosie Worsley

    Endocrinologist

    I have been a doctor for 15 years and for most of the last decade I have focused on women's hormones. I completed specialist training … View Profile

    Many women suffer with 'menstrual migraine', that is, migraines that mainly occur just before or during their period (and I've met a lot of women who also expereince migraine at mid cycle as well). For some women migraines also become more frequent during perimenopause. It is thought that the drop in estrogen before and during your period acts as a trigger for the migraine. 

    GPs and neurologists are best placed to help with migraine, but in some women estrogen therapy can also be beneficial, especially during menopause. Estrogen therapy for migraines is typically prescribed by a GP or endocrinologist. 

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