Living with Menstrual Migrane
People from all over the world suffer from migranes at least once in their life.
Studies have shown that migranes occur more often in women than in men. In the United States alone, an estimated 21 million women suffer from migranes, and 60% of these women experience menstrual migranes.
There are different kinds of migranes. One of the most common one and unique only to women is menstrual migrane. The name itself suggests when this kind of migrane occurs. Research tells us that while the exact cause of menstrual migrane cannot be determined and still remains uncertain, there is evidence that shows a link between migrane and menstruation.
Proof is the clear drop in estrogen levels that happens just before the woman’s period begins, as well as the duration of the migrane, which can start two days before the period and stretch until two days after the period.
There are two types of this menstrual migrane, the menstrually related migrane and the pure menstrual migrane. A menstrually related migrane is characterized as a headache, the pain intensity of which varies from moderate to severe, which occurs during or around the time of a woman’s period and also at any other time of the month. On the other hand, a pure menstrual migrane, while having similar pain intensity, occurs only around the time of a woman’s period.
Migranes have baffled the medical world for years. To date, migranes remain constantly undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. The signs and symptoms of a migrane, whatever the kind and including menstrual migrane, cannot be concretely defined and properly classified.
This is because migrane sufferers have unlike signs and symptoms and, sometimes, even one sufferer gets different signs and symptoms for every migrane attack. They also undergo varying phases in dissimilar times and order.
There have been many theories as to the causes of migranes. The closest answers may only be called triggers. These triggers may be categorized as behavioral, environmental, chemical or hormonal.
Some of the most common elements that trigger migrane attacks in most people include abrupt changes in weather, bright lights and/or loud noises, physical and/or emotional stress, changes in biological clock brought about by unfixed sleeping patterns, first-hand or second-hand smoking, perfumes and strong odors, and allergic reactions.
There are certain types of foods that can reportedly trigger a migrane attack. For menstrual migrane, chocolates and dairy products are risky food choices for sufferers.