What to do if a woman has a menstrual headache

Headaches are more common among women. There are many causes of headaches. Headaches may be caused by insufficient blood supply to the brain, or by vertebral disease. It is not ruled out that the headache is caused by a cold, or that the headache occurs during menstruation. In this case, it usually gets better after the menstrual period. Menstrual headaches in women are often a symptom of premenstrual syndrome. What should women do if they have menstrual headaches? Let’s take a look at it next.

1. What should women do if they have menstrual headaches?

If a woman experiences premenstrual headache before each menstruation, it is often bilateral or unilateral, and the pain location is not fixed. It may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. This is caused by intracranial edema and increased intracranial pressure, which is a common menstrual symptom. Generally speaking, when this happens, Western medicine actually has no so-called specific medicine and can only provide symptomatic analgesic treatment, such as taking ibuprofen sustained-release capsules orally. At the same time, you can consider seeing a Chinese medicine doctor one week before each menstruation, and then diagnose and treat the symptoms with Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine may include Bazhen Decoction, Qiju Dihuang Decoction, etc. for the symptomatic treatment of menstrual headaches.

2. What causes menstrual headaches?

Menstrual headaches occur before, during, or after your period. The characteristic of menstrual headache is that it starts from one side of the temporal region and quickly spreads to both sides, presenting as a stabbing or distending pain, which may be accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Each headache lasts from 30 minutes to two hours, and the headache worsens when the mood is bad. Some women also experience irregular menstruation, scanty and dark-colored menstruation, blood clots, pain in the lower abdomen, flanks, and breasts, and warmth when they have headaches.

3. What to do if you have a headache during menstruation?

1. Soothing the liver and nourishing blood: Chinese medicine treatment and acupoint massage

Under the guidance of a doctor, adjustments should be made according to individual physical conditions. Commonly used medicines for relieving menstrual headaches include bupleurum, chuanxiong, white peony root, licorice, angelica, and poria. In addition, you can also massage the temples on both sides and the Baihui point on the top of the head for 2-5 minutes every day before and during menstruation, or go to the hospital for acupuncture. This kind of massage and acupuncture can change the qi and blood circulation system, make the body full of qi and blood, and keep the meridians unobstructed, thereby effectively preventing and relieving menstrual headaches.

2. Eat light food during menstruation: avoid alcohol and caffeine stimulation

During menstruation, try to choose light food, avoid spicy and stimulating foods, and do not drink beverages containing alcohol and caffeine, such as wine, coffee, cola and tea, to prevent these beverages from causing vasodilation and inducing menstrual headaches.

3. Get enough sleep: prevent overwork

During menstruation, you should pay attention to rest and avoid excessive fatigue, which is very helpful in preventing menstrual headaches. If the headache is severe and accompanied by irritability and insomnia, you can take appropriate painkillers and then find a quiet place to rest for a while.

4. Keep a happy mood: Bad mood makes you more likely to have a headache

If the emotions are hurt during menstruation, the liver qi will be stagnant, qi will stagnate and blood will stagnate, blocking the brain meridians, and migraines may occur during menstruation. Therefore, during menstruation, you should learn to control your emotions and maintain a happy mood.