Migraine attacks are 3 to 5 times more common in women than in men, mainly as a result of hormonal changes that the female body undergoes throughout life.
Thus, the increase and decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels that occur from situations such as menstruation, the use of hormonal pills and pregnancy can worsen migraine attacks, called hormonal migraines. Although the exact cause of this situation is not known, it is probably because these hormones can have stimulant effects on the brain.
The main causes of migraine in women include
During the menstrual cycle, women experience drops and increases in estrogen levels, which can lead to migraine attacks. This change is most important during PMS, so it is during this period that many women may feel pain.
For this reason, some women may show improved symptoms when using contraceptives, although using these pills may also worsen seizures in some cases.
Increased estrogen in the body can cause migraines, so some women develop migraine symptoms during hormone treatments, such as using contraceptives in the form of pills, injectables, vaginal rings or hormonal implants in the skin.
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During the first trimester of pregnancy, the woman goes through a period of intense hormonal changes, making it common for this period to have more pain attacks. During the second and third trimester, estrogen levels steadily decrease relative to progesterone levels, which may be responsible for improving migraine in many cases.
However, shortly after the termination of pregnancy, the woman experiences another sudden change in these hormones, which can also trigger new seizures.
After menopause, women experience an improvement in migraine because estrogen levels are low and more consistent. However, women who undergo hormone replacement therapy may notice the onset of seizures, as this treatment again significantly increases hormone levels.
These responsibilities and lower chances of rest are important causes of migraine in women.
Migraine treatment mainly involves lifestyle changes, diet and medication use.
Following a migraine diet can help decrease your frequency. Some guidelines are:
In addition, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions regarding migraine treatment.
The use of migraine remedies should be done under medical supervision. Sometimes the use of remedies such as Neosaldine and Maracujina may be sufficient, but if migraine persists or limits a woman’s life, the neurologist may recommend the use of migraine remedies such as:
When insomnia is a common problem, melatonin use may be effective for better sleep, which will also help combat migraines.
Watch the video below and see what needs to be done to prevent migraine: