“Keeping detailed records of headache episodes
can help provide additional insight about triggers
and how to avoid them”.1

Umbrella
What may the Menopause Headaches Pattern Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Menopausal/Menopause Headaches and Migraines Pattern
  • Perimenopausal/Perimenopause Headaches and Migraines Pattern

Periods

Is there a link with periods and migraine?

On page one in Migraine and HRT: What Is Likely To Happen To Migraine? the (British) Women’s Health Concern elaborate on:

“Migraine tends to worsen in the years leading up to the menopause, with attacks occurring more frequently and sometimes also lasting longer. Many women start to notice that the attacks are more likely to start a few days before or during their periods. These perimenstrual migraine attacks often last longer, are more severe, and are less responsive to treatment compared to attacks at other times of the cycle. Periods can become erratic and more frequent, which also means more migraine.

Following menopause, migraine becomes less of a problem, particularly in women who have noticed a strong link between migraine and hormonal triggers. It is not an immediate improvement as it takes a while after your last period for the hormones to settle”.2

Look for A Pattern

Menopause Headaches PatternHow may I Look for A Pattern with my headaches?

In Headache Diary: Keeping A Diary Can Help Your Doctor Help You the (United States) National Headache Foundation (NHF) note:

“Keeping detailed records of headache episodes can help provide additional insight about triggers and how to avoid them”.3

In Keeping A Headache Diary: A General Guide To Recording Your Migraine Attacks? Why Keep A Headache Diary? the (United Kingdom) Migraine Trust elaborate on:

“A headache diary can include information on a range of things, however, it’s often best to keep it simple and record basic information. This can include:

  • Date
  • Day of week
  • Duration (how long the attack lasted)
  • Severity (how bad the attack was). This can either be recorded as mild, moderate or severe. Or on a scale from 1-10, where 10 is the worst pain you can imagine
  • Other symptoms you experience alongside the headache such as dizziness, vertigo, sensitivity to light, sound, smells or any symptoms that affect your movement (e.g. numbness)
  • Medication you take, including if you take a second dose
  • Anything else that may be helpful. Such as side effects from medication, any potential triggers, your period, any changes in medication, and anything else that may be helpful”.4

Headache Diary

Where may I find a headache diary?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Headaches TriggersMenopause Headaches Pattern

What are some primary headache triggers?

In Headaches: Overview – What Are the Types of Headache? Primary Headaches the (United States) Cleveland Clinic elaborate on:

“Some primary headaches can be triggered by lifestyle factors or situations, including:

  • Alcohol, particularly red wine
  • Certain foods, such as processed meats that contain nitrates (food-triggered headaches)
  • Consuming nicotine (nicotine headache)
  • Changes in sleep or lack of sleep
  • Poor posture
  • Physical activity, such as exercise (exertion headaches)
  • Skipped meals (hunger headache)
  • Coughing, sneezing, blowing your nose, straining (such as when having a bowel movement), or laughing or crying vigorously (primary cough headaches)”.5

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help to look for a pattern with my headaches?

If you would like help to look for a pattern with your headaches, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can identify any patterns, discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

In Headache Diary: Keeping A Diary Can Help Your Doctor Help You the NHF explain:

“It is important to make an appointment with your doctor for the specific purpose of addressing your headache history rather than discussing headaches as part of a physician visit for other reasons. The National Headache Foundation also recommends keeping a headache diary to track the characteristics of your headaches. Patterns identified from your diary may help your doctor determine which type of headache you have and the most beneficial treatments”.6

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Menopause Headaches Pattern?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Menopause Headaches Pattern?

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Headache Diary: Keeping A Diary Can Help Your Doctor Help You. National Headache Foundation https://headaches.org/resources/headache-diary-keeping-a-diary-can-help-your-doctor-help-you/ Accessed: 23 December 2023
  2. Migraine and HRT: What Is Likely To Happen To Migraine? Reviewed: November 2023:1. Women’s Health Concern https://www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets/migraine-and-hrt/ Accessed: 23 December 2023
  3. Headache Diary: Keeping A Diary Can Help Your Doctor Help You. National Headache Foundation https://headaches.org/resources/headache-diary-keeping-a-diary-can-help-your-doctor-help-you/ Accessed: 23 December 2023
  4. Keeping A Headache Diary: A General Guide To Recording Your Migraine Attacks? Why Keep A Headache Diary? Migraine Trust https://www.migrainetrust.org/living-with-migraine/coping-managing/keeping-a-migraine-diary/ Accessed: 23 December 2023
  5. Headaches: Overview – What Are the Types of Headache? Primary Headaches. Last Updated: 29 August 2022. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9639-headaches Accessed: 23 December 2023
  6. Headache Diary: Keeping A Diary Can Help Your Doctor Help You. National Headache Foundation https://headaches.org/resources/headache-diary-keeping-a-diary-can-help-your-doctor-help-you/ Accessed: 23 December 2023
Topic Last Updated: 23 December 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 23 December 2023

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