Symptoms headaches

Headaches, regrettably, are a common symptom of menopause. Whilst in mild cases the effects of headaches may be relieved with a simple aspirin, more severe headaches can really upset your quality of life. To deal with headaches that are being caused by menopause, one needs to be informed about the changes that are taking place in the body at this time. Read over the following information outlining the headache symptoms of menopause.

Why do I experience headaches during menopause?

Research suggests that headaches are often related to the body´s estrogen levels. The lower the level of estrogen, the worse headaches tend to be. This means that as a woman goes through menopause, a process whereby the hormones (including estrogen) tend to fluctuate and decrease, the intensity of the headaches become more severe. The role of estrogen during headaches also explains why some women experience headaches in the days leading up to their periods, or during the middle of the menstrual cycle when a woman is ovulating. In the worst case scenario, symptoms of menopause headaches can include throbbing on one side of the head, along with nausea and vomiting.

Do all women experience headaches as a menopause symptom?

Headaches, and whether they are likely to be suffered, are of course a very individual thing. It holds true that women who have a history of headaches around the time of their menstrual periods tend be more likely to experience menopause headaches as well. Headaches (and their angry cousin migraines) are also the result of environmental factors. Certain sounds, smells or flashing lights, along with stress may provoke headaches – but it also true that menopausal women are more sensitive to such factors in the first place.

OK, so how can I deal with the symptoms of headaches?

There are two fundamental approaches for dealing with headaches. The most typical is to treat the symptoms as they happen. That is, by taking an aspirin, having a lie down and a rest, placing a wet towel on the forehead etc. Another option is to try breathing into a small paper bag when you feel a severe headache coming on or are in the throes of one already. The paper bag cuts down on oxygen and increases your carbon dioxide intake (which acts as an organ relaxant).

While these steps at time may be necessary, by far the best approach to dealing with headaches as a result of menopause is to stop them before they happen by stabilizing hormone levels. This is particularly vital if you suffer from debilitating headaches and migraines. Some steps you can take include:

• Medicine - either over-the-counter or prescription relief
• Find a relaxing activity – yoga is a favorite
• Avoidance of common headache triggers - such as stress, certain foods, and lack of sleep.

Another option is natural medicines (herbs etc.) that tend to act as a natural hormone balancer in the body and thus remove the core reason for the headaches to begin with. On top of that, regular exercise and a good diet are also highly recommended.

For more information on handling headaches as a symptom of menopause click the following link.

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