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These types of headaches are probably caused by the sharp drop in estrogen levels that occurs at the end of the menstrual cycle, at the same time every month.3 It has been suggested that the decrease in estrogen levels causes the body chemical serotonin to react with brain chemistry. Healthcare providers have many specific strategies to prevent, stop or minimize menstrual migraines. The main categories for migraine medications are those intended to stop the pain and associated symptoms (acute) and medications that prevent a migraine from happening in the first place (preventive). Treatment options include:4 Acute: Preventive: Often, a combined preventive/symptomatic approach is recommended. Treatment starts a few days before the predicted onset and continues two or three days into the menstrual period.4 Additionally, short-term migraine prevention, often called “mini-prophylaxis” can be used to preemptively manage predictable migraine attacks such as those related to menstruation. Migraine patients take their medication a day or two before the expected onset of headache and continue taking it on a regular daily schedule for five to seven days. Several medications, such as NSAIDs and triptans, are used for the mini-prophylaxis of migraine. References: |
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