Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHormones and HeadachesSymptomsTreatmentSelf-CareSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Hormones and Headaches
Symptoms
Treatment
Self-Care
Seeking Medical Care
Sex hormones are one of many factors that contribute toheadachedevelopment. Changes in estrogen and other hormones during menstruation (your period), pregnancy, and menopause can cause hormonal headaches and trigger migraines. About 60% of people with periods who get migraines experience attacks during menstruation.
Hormonal headaches can cause a range of debilitating symptoms. However, there are ways to prevent and treat hormonal headaches. Determining treatment begins with understanding how hormones and headaches are related and what can trigger them.
This article breaks down the causes and symptoms of hormonal headaches, what you can do to manage them, and when to get help.
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Hormonal Role of Headaches
Headaches arise due to the activity of thetrigeminal nerve. This nerve relays pain and sensation information to the brain’s pain center (thalamus) from the blood vessels and tissue surrounding the brain, scalp, face, neck, ears, eyes, and mouth.
Estrogen and progesterone—hormones that regulate reproduction—moderate trigeminal nerve activity, so changes in these hormone levels can trigger headaches.
Estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle. They drop to their lowest levels in the premenstrual stage, which starts about five days before your period.
This hormone shift can causemenstrual migraines, which arise between two days before and three days after menstruation begins.
Elevated estrogen levels are associated with migraines with aura, a migraine that also causes visual symptoms. Breastfeeding also contributes to rapid shifts in estrogen levels, which can also bring on headaches.
Perimenopause is the time frame roughly two to eight years leading up to menopause—when the menstrual cycle naturally stops for 12 consecutive months. During this time, estrogen and progesterone decline, potentially worsening existing migraine cases.
Between 8% and 13% of people in perimenopause experience their first migraine attack during this time.However, people with migraine often have fewer symptoms and attacks during menopause.
A range of factors can affect sex hormone levels and contribute to hormonal headaches. These include:
Birth Control and HeadacheEstrogen and progesterone are ingredients in a range of hormonal birth control methods, including oral contraceptives (the pill), skin patches, and vaginal rings.Hormonal birth control contributes to hormone fluctuations, which can lead to hormonal headaches and trigger migraines. That said, some people with menstrual migraines may have less-frequent attacks while on birth control.
Birth Control and Headache
Estrogen and progesterone are ingredients in a range of hormonal birth control methods, including oral contraceptives (the pill), skin patches, and vaginal rings.Hormonal birth control contributes to hormone fluctuations, which can lead to hormonal headaches and trigger migraines. That said, some people with menstrual migraines may have less-frequent attacks while on birth control.
Estrogen and progesterone are ingredients in a range of hormonal birth control methods, including oral contraceptives (the pill), skin patches, and vaginal rings.
Hormonal birth control contributes to hormone fluctuations, which can lead to hormonal headaches and trigger migraines. That said, some people with menstrual migraines may have less-frequent attacks while on birth control.
Triggers
Various health and lifestyle factors can trigger hormonal headaches. Common triggers include:
A Word From VerywellTo identify triggers, I recommend that people start a diary recording how often they have headaches, when they occur, and what triggers they’ve identified. This will better help the provider know which treatment option to pursue.—KELLY WOOD, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
To identify triggers, I recommend that people start a diary recording how often they have headaches, when they occur, and what triggers they’ve identified. This will better help the provider know which treatment option to pursue.—KELLY WOOD, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
To identify triggers, I recommend that people start a diary recording how often they have headaches, when they occur, and what triggers they’ve identified. This will better help the provider know which treatment option to pursue.
—KELLY WOOD, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Pinpointing How Hormonal Headaches Feel
Hormonal headache pain can be severe and move to other parts of the head, such as the jaw.
Along with the headache, hormonal headaches can cause a range of additionalsymptoms, including the following:
In some cases, people with hormonal headaches havea migraine with aura. Before a headache sets on, auras cause you to see blind spots and wavy lines or experience tingling in the face or hands.Hormonal headaches can last several hours to several days.
Emergency Symptoms
While severe hormonal headaches aren’t usually a sign of a more severe condition, knowing when your symptoms prompt emergency help is essential. Call 911 if you experience any of the following during an attack:
Treatment: How to Relieve Hormonal Headaches
As debilitating as hormonal headaches can be, there are many ways to find relief. Since headaches can be complicated and challenging to treat, management strategies typically involve mixing and matching methods to determine what works.
Everything from home management techniques to medications or alternative therapies can play a role in coping with hormonal headaches.
Home Management
Home management techniques that may help with hormonal headaches include:
Medications
Severalmedicationsare either “rescue” or “abortive” drugs for headaches, meaning they help manage symptoms when a headache starts. Examples of these medications are:
A healthcare provider may prescribe drugs to prevent attacks in severe and recurring cases. These include:
Hormone Therapy and Birth Control
In some cases, hormone therapy aimed at boosting estrogen levels can prevent hormonal headaches. Your healthcare provider may prescribe transdermal patches or oral contraceptives, especially if preventive medications haven’t yielded results.
In addition, they may change the type of birth control you’re on, for instance, switching you to aprogesterone-based option.
Complementary Therapies
Alongside medications and other techniques, there are a range of complementary therapies that may also offer relief. These include:
Self-Care in Between Hormonal Headaches
Lifestyle changes, along with other treatments, can be central to hormonal headache management. Adjusting your habits, such as in the following ways, can help prevent attacks and reduce their severity:
Track Your HeadachesIf you have headaches, log your symptoms, medications, and potential triggers. Track when you’re having them and how long attacks last. Note the medicines you take, whether they work, how much sleep you’re getting, and any other triggers.This information will help you manage your hormonal headaches and help a healthcare provider determine a diagnosis and proper treatment.
Track Your Headaches
If you have headaches, log your symptoms, medications, and potential triggers. Track when you’re having them and how long attacks last. Note the medicines you take, whether they work, how much sleep you’re getting, and any other triggers.This information will help you manage your hormonal headaches and help a healthcare provider determine a diagnosis and proper treatment.
If you have headaches, log your symptoms, medications, and potential triggers. Track when you’re having them and how long attacks last. Note the medicines you take, whether they work, how much sleep you’re getting, and any other triggers.
This information will help you manage your hormonal headaches and help a healthcare provider determine a diagnosis and proper treatment.
When to Talk to a Healthcare Provider
If you experience hormonal headaches, getting a proper diagnosis is a critical step in managing your condition. Call a healthcare provider if you experience:
Summary
Hormone level changes cause hormonal headaches. These types of headaches can occur with menstruation, hormone therapies, pregnancy, and perimenopause. Hormonal headaches can cause a range of symptoms, and there are various treatment options. It may take time to find what works for you.
Hormonal headaches can severely impact your quality of life and ability to function. However difficult they can be, current treatments and lifestyle strategies can help manage this condition. If you’re having problems with headaches, be proactive and talk to your healthcare provider.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al.Male and female sex hormones in primary headaches.J Headache Pain. 2018;19(1):117. doi:10.1186/s10194-018-0922-7National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Headache.Godley F, Meitzen J, Nahman-Averbuch H, et al.How sex hormones affect migraine: an interdisciplinary preclinical research panel review.JPM. 2024;14(2):184. doi:10.3390/jpm14020184Draper CF, Duisters K, Weger B, et al.Menstrual cycle rhythmicity: metabolic patterns in healthy women.Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):14568. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-32647-0Sacco S, Ricci S, Degan D, Carolei A.Migraine in women: the role of hormones and their impact on vascular diseases.J Headache Pain. 2012;13(3):177-189. doi:10.1007/s10194-012-0424-yKesserwani H.Migraine triggers: an overview of the pharmacology, biochemistry, atmospherics, and their effects on neural networks.Cureus. 2021;13(4):e14243. doi:10.7759/cureus.14243Parashar R, Bhalla P, Rai NK, Pakhare A, Babbar R.Migraine: is it related to hormonal disturbances or stress?Int J Womens Health. 2014;6:921-925. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S62922MedlinePlus.Migraine.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Migraine.Urits I, Patel M, Putz ME, et al.Acupuncture and its role in the treatment of migraine headaches.Neurol Ther. 2020;9(2):375-394. doi:10.1007/s40120-020-00216-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tips for better sleep.Gazerani P.Migraine and diet.Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1658. doi:10.3390/nu12061658Additional ReadingNational Institute of Rare Disorders and Stroke.Migraine.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al.Male and female sex hormones in primary headaches.J Headache Pain. 2018;19(1):117. doi:10.1186/s10194-018-0922-7National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Headache.Godley F, Meitzen J, Nahman-Averbuch H, et al.How sex hormones affect migraine: an interdisciplinary preclinical research panel review.JPM. 2024;14(2):184. doi:10.3390/jpm14020184Draper CF, Duisters K, Weger B, et al.Menstrual cycle rhythmicity: metabolic patterns in healthy women.Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):14568. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-32647-0Sacco S, Ricci S, Degan D, Carolei A.Migraine in women: the role of hormones and their impact on vascular diseases.J Headache Pain. 2012;13(3):177-189. doi:10.1007/s10194-012-0424-yKesserwani H.Migraine triggers: an overview of the pharmacology, biochemistry, atmospherics, and their effects on neural networks.Cureus. 2021;13(4):e14243. doi:10.7759/cureus.14243Parashar R, Bhalla P, Rai NK, Pakhare A, Babbar R.Migraine: is it related to hormonal disturbances or stress?Int J Womens Health. 2014;6:921-925. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S62922MedlinePlus.Migraine.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Migraine.Urits I, Patel M, Putz ME, et al.Acupuncture and its role in the treatment of migraine headaches.Neurol Ther. 2020;9(2):375-394. doi:10.1007/s40120-020-00216-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tips for better sleep.Gazerani P.Migraine and diet.Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1658. doi:10.3390/nu12061658Additional ReadingNational Institute of Rare Disorders and Stroke.Migraine.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al.Male and female sex hormones in primary headaches.J Headache Pain. 2018;19(1):117. doi:10.1186/s10194-018-0922-7National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Headache.Godley F, Meitzen J, Nahman-Averbuch H, et al.How sex hormones affect migraine: an interdisciplinary preclinical research panel review.JPM. 2024;14(2):184. doi:10.3390/jpm14020184Draper CF, Duisters K, Weger B, et al.Menstrual cycle rhythmicity: metabolic patterns in healthy women.Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):14568. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-32647-0Sacco S, Ricci S, Degan D, Carolei A.Migraine in women: the role of hormones and their impact on vascular diseases.J Headache Pain. 2012;13(3):177-189. doi:10.1007/s10194-012-0424-yKesserwani H.Migraine triggers: an overview of the pharmacology, biochemistry, atmospherics, and their effects on neural networks.Cureus. 2021;13(4):e14243. doi:10.7759/cureus.14243Parashar R, Bhalla P, Rai NK, Pakhare A, Babbar R.Migraine: is it related to hormonal disturbances or stress?Int J Womens Health. 2014;6:921-925. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S62922MedlinePlus.Migraine.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Migraine.Urits I, Patel M, Putz ME, et al.Acupuncture and its role in the treatment of migraine headaches.Neurol Ther. 2020;9(2):375-394. doi:10.1007/s40120-020-00216-1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tips for better sleep.Gazerani P.Migraine and diet.Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1658. doi:10.3390/nu12061658
Delaruelle Z, Ivanova TA, et al.Male and female sex hormones in primary headaches.J Headache Pain. 2018;19(1):117. doi:10.1186/s10194-018-0922-7
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Headache.
Godley F, Meitzen J, Nahman-Averbuch H, et al.How sex hormones affect migraine: an interdisciplinary preclinical research panel review.JPM. 2024;14(2):184. doi:10.3390/jpm14020184
Draper CF, Duisters K, Weger B, et al.Menstrual cycle rhythmicity: metabolic patterns in healthy women.Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):14568. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-32647-0
Sacco S, Ricci S, Degan D, Carolei A.Migraine in women: the role of hormones and their impact on vascular diseases.J Headache Pain. 2012;13(3):177-189. doi:10.1007/s10194-012-0424-y
Kesserwani H.Migraine triggers: an overview of the pharmacology, biochemistry, atmospherics, and their effects on neural networks.Cureus. 2021;13(4):e14243. doi:10.7759/cureus.14243
Parashar R, Bhalla P, Rai NK, Pakhare A, Babbar R.Migraine: is it related to hormonal disturbances or stress?Int J Womens Health. 2014;6:921-925. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S62922
MedlinePlus.Migraine.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Migraine.
Urits I, Patel M, Putz ME, et al.Acupuncture and its role in the treatment of migraine headaches.Neurol Ther. 2020;9(2):375-394. doi:10.1007/s40120-020-00216-1
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tips for better sleep.
Gazerani P.Migraine and diet.Nutrients. 2020;12(6):1658. doi:10.3390/nu12061658
National Institute of Rare Disorders and Stroke.Migraine.
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