December 5, 2024

Everything You Need to Know About Menstrual Migraine & How to Get Relief

Everyone experiences different symptoms during their “time of the month.” If you already deal with period symptoms like cramps, gas, bloating and acne, migraine attacks are the last thing you want to add to the list.

Get menstrual migraine relief with CEFALY

If you experience menstrual migraine, you’re not alone. Over 50% of women with migraine may experience period migraine, with menstruation being a trigger. At CEFALY Technology, we believe your body’s natural processes shouldn’t cause you even more pain. Learn why women experience menstrual migraine and how you can manage this condition.

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What is a menstrual migraine?

According to the International Headache Society, a pure menstrual migraine is a migraine that occurs:

Sometime within the two days before your period (days -2 and -1) or the first three days of your period (days 1, 2 and 3).
In at least two out of three menstrual cycles.
At no other point in your cycle.

If you’ve noticed similar cases of migraine that don’t fit the above criteria, you may experience menstrual-related migraine. This type of migraine can affect women at any point outside of the -2/+3 window within their cycles.

This type of migraine can affect women at any point outside of the -2/+3 window within their cycles

Menstrual migraine causes

As experts develop research on menstrual migraine, we’ve learned that it is a symptom of hormonal changes within the menstruation cycle.

Right before women experience their period, their estrogen levels drop due to a lack of fertilization. Though this is a natural aspect of menstruation, researchers have found a link between the rapid decrease in estrogenic and menstrual migraine symptoms.

During menstruation, women also release more prostaglandin, a hormone that helps control ovulation. Prostaglandin levels are higher for women with painful periods and have also been linked to menstrual migraine.

How do you know if you have a menstrual migraine?

Though there is no diagnostic test for menstrual migraine, understanding the frequency of your migraine alongside your period cycle can help determine your diagnosis. The best way to measure your migraine is by keeping a diary for at least three months that records your menstrual cycle and migraine attacks.

If your migraine episodes occur exclusively within the -2/+3 window in at least two of every three cycles, you likely have menstrual migraine.

With the CeCe Migraine Management app, you can log your migraine attacks through a simple and streamlined interface. Track your triggers and symptoms around your time of the month and securely download reports to show your personal migraine patterns.

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How to treat a menstrual migraine

Period migraine treatment methods differ. Many women already regulate their menstrual symptoms with contraception or over-the-counter (OTC) medication.

You can manage menstrual migraine by combining non-medication strategies such as compresses, hydration, stress and sleep management, and devices like CEFALY with medical options like pain relievers or migraine medications.

Here’s how to treat period migraine with and without medication.

Non-medication options

Below are a few menstrual migraine treatment options to try:

Use a cold and warm press: A cold pack on your forehead or a warm compress on your neck can help ease the pain. These simple methods can relax tense muscles or reduce swelling, depending on what feels better for you.
Stay hydrated and eat well: Dehydration is a common migraine trigger, so drinking plenty of water is a must. Eating balanced meals with magnesium-rich foods like nuts and spinach can also help. Avoid common triggers like caffeine, alcohol or processed snacks, especially before your period.
Manage stress: Stress is another major migraine trigger. Take time to relax with techniques like yoga and meditation or simply doing some deep breathing. Even 10 minutes a day can make a big difference.
Get consistent sleep: Sleep patterns play a big role in migraine prevention. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate your body’s rhythms and reduces hormonal imbalances that may trigger migraine.
Try magnesium: Studies show that magnesium supplements may reduce the frequency and severity of migraine for some people. Talk to your doctor about adding this to your routine.
Use medical devices: Some medical devices specialize in migraine relief. The CEFALY migraine device can help reduce pain intensity in just one hour. It’s a dual-purpose device with two modes — ACUTE, which is designed to relieve migraine pain at the onset of an attack, and PREVENT, which can reduce the frequency of migraine attacks over time.

Medication options

Find period migraine relief from the following medication options:

Pain relievers: OTC options like ibuprofen or naproxen can help reduce inflammation and pain if taken early.
Migraine-specific medications: Prescription triptans work well for many people by targeting migraine pain directly. Take them as soon as you notice symptoms for the best effect.

Consult with a healthcare professional to seek medical advice regarding managing your menstrual migraine.

How to prevent menstrual migraine

For many women with menstrual migraine, it’s just as important to prevent symptoms as it is to treat them. Depending on your medical needs, experts may recommend the following treatments to prevent menstrual migraine:

Mini-preventative treatments

Some mini-preventative treatments you might try include:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) before the menstrual period.
Estrogen supplements during menstruation week.
Triptans throughout the menstruation window.

Continuous preventive treatments

These types of treatments include:

Hormonal birth control pills with fewer or no placebo days.
An estrogen patch before a period begins.
Prescription medications such as beta-blockers or calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitors, which can help reduce occurrences.
The 20-minute PREVENT feature on the CEFALY device.

FAQs about menstrual migraine

If any other questions are on your mind, please refer to the FAQs below.

Where are menstrual headaches located?

Menstrual headaches are typically located on one side of the head. However, some may experience them on their foreheads, temples or behind their ears. Menstrual headaches often stem from hormonal fluctuations — particularly the drop in estrogen before your period. In some cases, the pain can radiate to the neck or shoulders, resembling tension headaches or classic migraine.

When do period headaches start?

Period headaches often start two days before your period. Their timing aligns with the premenstrual drop in estrogen levels, which can trigger migraine in individuals sensitive to hormonal changes.

How long does a period migraine last?

A period migraine can last anywhere from a few hours to 72 hours if untreated. The menstrual migraine severity and duration may vary between individuals, and depend on factors like hormonal sensitivity, stress levels, hydration and other migraine triggers.

How is menstrual migraine diagnosed?

Menstrual migraine is diagnosed based on a pattern of migraine occurring consistently during your menstrual cycle — often confirmed by tracking symptoms for at least three months. You should seek a healthcare professional’s advice for a proper diagnosis.

Enjoy menstrual migraine relief with CEFALY

With CEFALY, it’s easy to prevent and relieve migraine symptoms throughout your menstrual cycle and beyond. This FDA-cleared device reduces migraine pain by stimulating the trigeminal nerve with tiny electrical impulses.

Discover how CEFALY treatment can alleviate menstrual migraine symptoms by ordering today!

Buy CEFALY Today