Hormonal migraine is a common and debilitating problem affecting many women. It's not just a headache; it's a complex phenomenon closely linked to the body's hormonal fluctuations. In this blog, we delve deeper into the world of hormonal migraine: what it is, how it develops, and, more importantly, how you can alleviate and even prevent it.
What is hormonal migraine?
Migraine is caused by a disturbed interaction between nerves and blood vessels in the brain. Migraine can be a hereditary condition, but factors such as fatigue, stress, and a change in hormone composition, such as during an approaching menstruation, can trigger an attack. Foods like aged cheese, red wine, chocolate, or spicy dishes can also be triggers for a migraine attack.
Hormonal migraine is a specific type of migraine that occurs in connection with hormonal fluctuations, especially in women. It usually appears just before, during, or after menstruation, during pregnancy, or during menopause.
This form of migraine is often characterized by intense headaches, nausea, vomiting, and hypersensitivity to light and sound. The cause of hormonal migraine is complex and is influenced by various factors, including the hormonal changes themselves, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors.
How does hormonal migraine develop?
Hormonal migraine is caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly estrogen. Estrogen affects the blood vessels in the brain, and when levels of this hormone drop, blood vessels can dilate. This can lead to migraine attacks. In the monthly cycle, estrogen usually drops in the days immediately following ovulation. Just before ovulation, there is a peak in estrogen.
When estrogen drops, serotonin levels in the head also drop, increasing the likelihood of migraine. Inflammatory reactions and vasodilating and constricting substances can also trigger migraine. Additionally, external factors such as stress, lack of sleep, certain foods and drinks, and even bright light can worsen or trigger migraine attacks.
Estrogen dominance
Estrogen dominance is often the cause of hormonal migraine. Estrogen dominance refers to a relatively high presence of estrogen in the body, compared to relatively low progesterone.
Some characteristics of estrogen dominance include:
- Painful breasts and increased cup size
- Fat storage on the buttocks and legs
- PMS symptoms
- Hormonal headaches
- Heavy menstruation
Estrogen dominance can arise due to a deficiency of specific nutrients, but also due to a high body fat percentage, the intake of many xenoestrogens from pesticides and foods like soy, plastic, non-natural care products, and other chemical substances. Finally, a decrease in progesterone production, caused by chronic stress, can also be the cause of estrogen dominance.
Can hormonal migraine be remedied?
Although hormonal migraine cannot be completely cured, there are various ways to reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks. We discuss them below:
1. Lifestyle adjustments
Reducing stress, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, and making healthy food choices can all help reduce migraine attacks.
For a good hormone balance, it is important that the glands in the body can produce enough hormones when needed. But the breakdown of hormones in the liver is also essential for a good hormone balance. To properly break down hormones like estrogen, the liver needs certain nutrients. You can think of chlorophyll from green leafy vegetables and DIM from cruciferous vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, radishes, arugula, broccoli, broccoli sprouts, and cauliflower.
Varied meals and eating at least 500 grams of vegetables per day can help with well-functioning hormone production, conversion, and breakdown.
2. Insight into your hormones
Hormones are substances that play an important role in controlling various functions in the body. Through the release of hormones, organs and tissues are stimulated to work faster or to slow down. A good hormone balance thus contributes to the proper functioning of processes such as growth, digestion, and metabolism, as well as emotions, tension, and stress.
When you produce too much or too little of a hormone, you speak of a hormonal imbalance, and this can lead to complaints such as migraine. With the hormone test for women, it is possible to gain insight into your hormonal (im)balance and then adapt your lifestyle positively! Would you like more information about this saliva test? Read on!
3. Keep a diary
Do you recognize specific triggers for a migraine attack, such as stress, exercise, or extreme heat? Try to find out if certain foods trigger a migraine attack. Think of caffeine from coffee, food with the flavor enhancer E621, sugars, alcoholic beverages, or theobromine from chocolate.
4. Take good care of your gut
When the hormone estrogen drops, your serotonin level also drops. More than 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut, so it is crucial that your gut can do its job properly. Do you want to learn more about your gut? Read this article!Hormonal migraine is a challenging condition, but with the right approach, symptoms can be significantly reduced.
Is hormonal migraine a condition that regularly hinders you in your daily activities and prevents you from enjoying life? We are happy to help you. In an orthomolecular consultation, therapists will look at your complaints, lifestyle, nutrients, and more to determine the cause of your hormonal migraine and how it can be remedied.
Would you like to read more about hormones and your cycle? Download the e-book 'Living according to your cycle'.
Would you like to book a 1-on-1 consultation to look at your complaints together? Book it here.
