Everything you need to know about the relationship between periods and headaches and how you can treat them.

The female cycle is associated with various types of headaches , as well as migraines . What should you know about this relationship and how can you deal with the annoying symptoms of a headache?

The changes in hormones

A woman can suffer from headaches of various types either before, during, or after the end of her period. The main cause of headaches is the changes in hormones in the body and in particular the changes in estrogen and progesterone. Immediately before the onset of menstruation, the percentages of these hormones are at very low levels and thus can cause headaches, as well as a number of annoying symptoms that are directly related to them.

The difference between a headache and a migraine

Hormonal headaches usually manifest as a mild , annoying pressure on the skull and eyes, while menstrual migraines are throbbing pains that can "circulate" around the head and prevent us from carrying out our daily activities, as they often involve hypersensitivity to light and sound. Other symptoms of migraines include nausea, vomiting, and physical fatigue.

How is hormonal headache treated?

The severity of the symptoms of a hormonal headache or migraine determines its treatment. These are three basic ways of dealing with it:

Exercise:

Mild forms of exercise , such as walking, running, and yoga, help the body release endorphins and reduce pain.

Diet:

Drink plenty of water and herbal teas such as verbena and mint, limit coffee, black tea and chocolate, as well as dairy products, and emphasize green vegetables, fresh fruits and fish.

Drug treatment:

Mild painkillers can reduce the symptoms of a simple headache, while women who use contraceptives experience fewer migraines. In the case of migraine, which occurs frequently and does not subside easily, a visit to your doctor is necessary.

What else can help with period headaches?

First, keep a detailed record of your symptoms so you know what events make them worse. Taking magnesium supplements before your period (or a ripe banana a day) can help reduce headache symptoms, as can regular light exercise. Finally, avoiding stress and maintaining a regular sleep schedule are extremely important.