Around 30 million women suffer from migraines, and up to 6 million experience menstrual migraines and yet many go undiagnosed for years. These recurring headaches strike just before or during menstruation, when hormonal fluctuations are at their peak.
Menstrual migraines tend to be longer lasting, more severe, and resistant to standard treatments compared to other types of migraines. They can significantly disrupt daily life, productivity, and emotional well-being. The good news? You don’t have to rely on medications that only mask the pain. Understanding your hormones and nutritional needs can make all the difference.
What Are Menstrual Migraines?
Menstrual migraines are cyclical headaches triggered by hormone fluctuations, most seen in women of childbearing age. Symptoms often include throbbing pain, nausea, light sensitivity, and fatigue. Because they are cyclical, they are often mistaken for other types of headaches.
Why Women Are Most Affected
Hormonal shifts, particularly the drop in progesterone right before menstruation. It’s a major trigger. Addressing these imbalances is key to preventing migraines at their source.
Common Migraine Medications and Their Risks
Many women are prescribed medications to manage menstrual migraines, but these often treat symptoms rather than the cause. And some have serious side effects.
Birth Control Pills: Hormonal Relief with Side Effects
Oral contraceptives are sometimes used because migraines are hormonally linked. However, they can cause weight gain, mood swings, acne, and in rare cases, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a dangerous blood clot that can travel to the lungs.
Triptans: Effective but Potentially Dangerous
Triptans work by constricting blood vessels and altering serotonin levels to relieve migraine pain. While effective for some, they carry risks including high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, stroke, and serotonin syndrome.
NSAIDs: Pain Relief at a Cost
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit inflammatory pathways but can damage the stomach lining, affect platelet function, and increase DVT risk.
For women seeking safer, more effective alternatives, there are natural options that address hormonal imbalances and nutrient deficiencies, offering long-term relief without the risks.
Safer and More Effective Alternatives for Menstrual Migraines
Progesterone: Balancing Hormones to Prevent Migraines
Progesterone rises during the second or luteal phase and drops right before menstruation. This migraine stimulating shift can be buffered with bioidentical progesterone therapy about two weeks before your period, reducing migraine frequency, and even improving sleep. Side effects can include mild drowsiness, bloating, or digestive upset.
Learn more about our hormone therapy services for natural migraine prevention.
Oxytocin: The Pain-Blocking “Feel-Good” Hormone
Oxytocin is produced in the brain and released by the pituitary gland. Beyond its bonding benefits, it plays a key role in reducing migraine pain by:
- Activating the body’s natural opioid system
- Inhibiting inflammatory peptides like calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)
- Lowering cortisol and improving our stress response
Oxytocin can be used preventively and can take effect in about 30 minutes. Side effects are rare but may include lightheadedness or mild weakness.
Magnesium: Essential Mineral for Migraine Relief
Magnesium is critical for hundreds of biochemical reactions, including nerve signaling and muscle relaxation. Many migraine sufferers are deficient in magnesium, making supplementation a powerful tool.
Magnesium helps by reducing substance P and calming overactive nerve pathways.
- Best forms for migraines: magnesium chloride (nasal spray), magnesium glycinate, magnesium malate and magnesium L-threonate.
Mild side effects can include loose stools or nausea if taken in excess.
Explore our nutritional and mineral support programs for a customized approach to migraine relief.
Why Treating Menstrual Migraines Matters
These migraines are more than just painful; they affect productivity, energy, and quality of life. By addressing the root cause, including hormonal imbalance and nutrient deficiencies, women can regain control over their health and daily routines.
Take Action: Find Relief Naturally
You don’t have to accept migraines as a monthly inevitability. With the right combination of progesterone, oxytocin, and magnesium, it’s possible to reduce pain safely and naturally.
Call (909) 981-9200 today to schedule your FREE Discovery Consultation with Dr. Sasha Blissett. Together we’ll help uncover the root cause of your migraines and create a personalized plan to restore your hormonal balance and peace of mind.
Learn more about our women’s health services and start your journey to lasting relief today.
Dr. Sasha Blissett
Dr. Sasha Blissett is a California-licensed Naturopathic Doctor specializing in women’s health and hormonal balance. She is a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Association for the Advancement of Restorative Medicine, LearnSkin, and the California Association of Naturopathic Doctors.