Headaches FAQ

The throbbing, pulsating pain that comes with headaches as women approach menopause can leave a woman bewildered and wondering what her horrific affliction is all about. Below is a list of frequently asked questions and their answers to give a better idea of what headaches are and what causes them.

Headaches	Q: What are headaches? A: A headache is a recurrent, throbbing headache generally felt on one side of the head (or sometimes both sides). It can last an hour or two or up to three days. Many women entering perimenopause, the five-to-ten year period leading up to menopause, begin to experience an influx of headaches from a host of factors. Q: What are the common types of headaches? A: There are three main types of headaches: migraine headaches, tension headaches, or sinus headaches. Generally speaking, a migraine headache is a recurrent, throbbing headache generally felt on one side of the head but it may possibly occur on both sides. It can last anywhere from one or two hours up to three days.
Headaches Overview About Headaches Definition Symptoms Who is susceptible Types of Headaches Causes of Headaches Hormonal Other causes When to see a doctor Treatments for Headaches Headaches FAQ

Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, affecting 64% of men and 88% of women at least some time during their lifetimes. A tension headache generally produces a diffuse, usually mild to moderate pain throughout the head. The feeling has been likened to that of having a tight band synched around the head. A tension headache may also cause pain in the back of your neck at the base of your skull.

The third most frequently experienced type of headache for menopausal women is a sinus headache, which is the inflammation and blockage of the sinus cavities. This is also known as congestion or a congestion headache.

Continue reading to learn about the common symptoms of headaches, the most severe form of headaches that are caused by hormonal changes typical to menopause.

Common symptoms of headaches: • Throbbing, pulsating pain in the head. • Intensification of pain by routine physical   activity. • Tired and weak feeling. • Pain begins in a specific area on one side of the   head and spreads from there. • Pain lasting up to 24 hours or in some cases   several days. • Nausea, vomiting. • Sensitivity to light, sound, and odor. • Sweaty hands and feet.

Women experience five times more headaches than men. Up to 30% of premenopausal women report headaches affliction, and 70% of these women report that most of their headaches occur just prior to menstruation.

Continue reading to find out what causes headaches during menopause.

A: Headaches are primarily caused by hormonal imbalance, particularly diminishing and increasing levels of estrogen and progesterone that occur prior to menopause. The hormones, as they rise and dip, affect the brain´s blood vessels by expanding and contracting them, which leads to headaches.

A: Yes, Several other factors besides hormones can trigger headaches. They are:

Headaches triggers Bright lights, loud noises, or strong odors Stress and anxiety, or relaxation after stress. Weather changes. Alcohol. Caffeine (too much or withdrawal). Lack of or too much sleep. Skipped meals or fasting. Food that contain nitrates (hot dogs and lunch meats), monosodium glutamate, better known as MSG (fast food, Chinese food, seasonings), and tyramine (aged cheese, soy products, fava beans, hard sausages, smoked fish, Chianti wine). Aspartame, common is sugar-free sweeteners.

A: For anyone who experiences headaches, coping with them during a busy day can prove to be a challenge. An ibuprofen or aspirin can help if headaches comes on while at work or in a hectic situation. Lowering stress and tension will go along way to alleviate the symptoms of headaches. A relaxing dark room to lie in can prove a nice refuge for someone suffering from headaches, and drinking lots of fluids can also help with the pain.

Return to home page and learn more about the 34 Menopause Symptoms.