Hormonal migraine is a common and debilitating problem that affects many women. It's not just another headache; it's a complex phenomenon closely linked to hormonal fluctuations in the body. In this blog, we will dive deeper into the world of hormonal migraine: what it is, how it occurs and more importantly, how you can alleviate and even prevent it?
What is hormonal migraine?
Migraines come from disrupted cooperation 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 with an approaching menstrual period, can trigger an attack. Foods such as aged cheese, red wine, chocolate or spicy foods 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 occurs 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 several factors, including the hormonal changes themselves, genetic predisposition and environmental factors.
How do hormonal migraines occur?
Hormonal migraines are caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly estrogen. Estrogen affects 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 after ovulation. Just before ovulation, there is a peak in estrogen.
When estrogen drops, serotonin levels in the head also drop; this increases the risk of migraines. Inflammatory reactions and vasodilators and constrictors can also trigger migraines. In addition, external factors such as stress, lack of sleep, certain foods and beverages and even bright light can aggravate or trigger migraine attacks.
Estrogen dominance
An estrogen dominance is not infrequently the cause of hormonal migraines. Estrogen dominance refers to the presence of relatively high levels of estrogen in the body versus relatively low levels of progesterone.
Some characteristics of estrogen dominance are:
- Sore breasts and increase in cup size
- Fat storage on the buttocks and legs
- PMS symptoms
- Hormonal headaches
- Severe menstrual periods
An estrogen dominance can result from a deficiency in specific nutrients, as well as from a high fat diet, ingestion of many xenoestrogens from pesticides and foods such as soy, plastics, non-natural personal care products and other chemicals. Finally, a decrease in progesterone production caused by chronic stress can also be the cause of estrogen dominance.
Can you fix hormonal migraines?
Although hormonal migraines cannot be completely cured, there are several ways to reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks. We discuss them below:
1. Lifestyle modifications
Reducing stress, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly and making healthy food choices can all help reduce migraine attacks.
For proper hormone balance, it is important for the glands in the body to be able to produce enough hormones when needed. But breaking down hormones in the liver is also essential for proper hormone balance. In order to properly break down hormones such as 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 a day can help hormone production, conversion and breakdown function properly.
2. Understanding 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 slow down. In this way, a good hormone balance 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 symptoms such as migraine. With the hormone test for women it is possible to gain insight into your hormonal (dis)balance and adjust your lifestyle in a positive way! Want more information about this saliva test? Then read on quickly.
3. Keep a journal
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. Consider caffeine from coffee, foods with the flavor enhancer E621, sugars, alcoholic beverages or theobromine from chocolate.
4. Take good care of your gut
When the hormone estrogen drops, so does your serotonin level. Serotonin is more than 90% produced in the gut so it is very important that your gut can do its job properly. Want to learn more about your gut? Then 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 interferes with your daily activities and keeps you from enjoying life? We would love to help you. In an orthomolecular consultation, the therapists look at your symptoms, lifestyle, nutrients and more to find out what is causing your hormonal migraine and how it can be remedied.
Would you like to read more about hormones and your cycle? Then download the e-book "Living according to your cycle.
Would you like to book a 1-on-1 consultation to look at your symptoms together? Book it here.
