Hormonal headaches are a serious and often times debilitating form of headache that effects only women. Fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone can have significant effects on the brain, often triggering severe headaches. Hormonal headaches are a part of the overall premenstrual cycle, and can begin eleven to seven days before the menstrual cycle.

Symptoms of hormonal headaches include severe migraine like pain, usually accompanied by a sensitivity to light and loud noises. The pain can typically be described as a throbbing like sensation.

A large percentage of women will eventually experience a hormonal headache. The occurence of hormonal headaches is difficult to predict, although contraceptives are known to have an effect on their frequency. In some women, oral contraceptives can actually increase the occurence of hormonal headaches, while in others it ends up reducing the frequency of the headaches.

Accurately predicting the outcome of oral contraceptive use is difficult. Outside of contraceptives, the exact causes of a hormonal headache are unknown. Preventing hormonal headaches can be difficult, or at least hard to do.

Fortunately, treatment for hormonal headaches can potentially be far more effective. Over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can do a good job of handling the symptoms of hormonal headaches. Treatment with these over the counter drugs around five to seven days prior to a menstrual period can mitigate their effects. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen are all effective treatments for hormone headaches. These NSAID medications can possibly also play a role in reducing other premenstrual symptoms.

Migraine medications, such as triptans, are another tool in the arsenal against hormonal headache pain. Although not a direct treatment for the cause of the headaches, triptans can significantly reduce the associated pain. Triptans and NSAID medication should see use on a limited basis, because they can cause reactions if overused. Overuse of both triptans and NSAID medication can result in what are known as “rebound” headaches, where the symptoms emerge even stronger after the effects of the medication has worn off.

In addition to the premenstrual cycle, hormonal headaches also emerge during high hormone level periods. The early periods of childbirth can cause widespread changes in hormone levels, and this can easily trigger severe hormonal headaches.

The days after childbirth are also particularly susceptible to the occurence of headaches. Menopause can also frequently be associated with hormonal headaches.