Symptoms — hormonal headaches
You don’t have to suffer
“The more severe headaches were located behind my eyes. They lasted 48 hours with little relief. I had to try something! My headaches dissipated almost immediately one week after starting the Program. I am feeling better, and sleeping better too.” — Corinne, Personal Program Member
So many women suffer from headaches, and many write to us asking for advice. Headaches have myriad causes and there are many varieties of headache types, which is why they are one of the great challenges in medicine. Why do some people have them, and others do not? Why do some people suffer so severely, while others can take an aspirin and bounce right back?
Despite their complex origins, we have found there are simple measures that you can put in place to bring real, permanent headache relief without drugs.
While we know a lot about how to help chronic headache sufferers, we certainly don’t have all the answers yet. The abiding concern with headaches is whether a serious problem in the brain may be the cause. Fortunately, that is rarely the case. But if you suddenly suffer severe headaches unlike ever before, it warrants immediate medical evaluation for sure — even an emergency room visit.
If you have been a long-time headache sufferer, it is wise to discuss your headaches with your primary care provider so you can get properly diagnosed and fully understand the type of headaches you have.
There are many types of headaches, such as tension, cluster, migraine, and several subtypes of each as well. Knowing what type you have will help you identify your triggers and point you toward better solutions!
At Women to Women, we get the most inquiries about hormonal or menstrual headaches and migraines in women. It seems some women are prone to severe migraines at puberty and then again at perimenopause. With hormonal headaches, it is common for the pattern to eventually disappear once menopause passes.
It also seems there is a trend for some women to have severe headaches at times of more sudden hormone shifts, for example at a certain time of day, or at ovulation and/or the onset of their period. For these women, the headaches often go away while on hormonal birth control, during pregnancy, and again, post menopause.
Natural prevention for headaches
No matter what type or pattern of headaches you have, it is quite possible to reduce their frequency and severity. There are of course rescue medications and other treatments your healthcare provider can offer that are good to have on hand if needed. But a key concept in prevention is that healthy, fit and happy people tend to feel better overall, have fewer physical complaints and yes — fewer headaches! So take an honest look at your health deficits and consider making changes that can really help:
- Support a stable blood sugar level with a whole foods, low-sugar diet, regular meals, and small healthy snacks through the day.
- Eliminate artificial ingredients, artificial sweeteners, and processed foods.
- Decrease inflammation in your intestinal tract with whole foods and plenty of fiber. In addition, simply avoiding foods you may be sensitive to can help tremendously. Adding Acidophilus supplementation to your daily routine may also help.
- Get optimal hydration. Drink plenty of water daily, and avoid dehydrating substances like alcohol and caffeine.
- Exercise regularly. Consider yoga or Pilates for reducing stress, but also for the postural support they offer, to encourage proper head and neck alignment and circulation.
- Improve your stress response. Even though we all face challenges daily, you can learn to control your stress hormone response and reactions to them!
- Consider hormone balancing measures. Sometimes changing the way you are using or taking hormones can help. Sometimes adding gentle endocrine support like our Herbal Equilibrium is helpful.
- Include optimal nutritional supplements and essential fatty acids daily to start. Additional supplements tailored to your unique needs can also help.
The Personal Program can be a step in the right direction toward headache relief. Our Essential Nutrients, comprehensive dietary guide, and gentle endocrine support can certainly help. And our skilled Nurse–Educators can work one-on-one with you to help you implement changes tailored to your unique needs.
The Personal Program is a great place to start
The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional supplements, our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nurse–Educators. It is a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend to all our patients at the clinic.
If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-800-798-7902. We’re here to listen and help.
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Original Publication Date: 08/16/2006
Last Modified: 08/17/2009
Principal Author: Marcy Holmes, NP