What to do if you have dysmenorrhea and headache

When women have their period, most of them will feel pain in the lower abdomen. This is a manifestation of dysmenorrhea. Women during menstruation will not only have dysmenorrhea, but also their immunity will decrease, and many symptoms will occur. For example, some people will also have stomach pain, diarrhea and other phenomena when they have dysmenorrhea. Migraine during menstruation is also a common phenomenon, which is caused by changes in hormone secretion. So what should I do if I have dysmenorrhea and headache?

Treatment for menstrual migraine attacks is the same as for regular migraine attacks. For people with regular menstrual cycles, taking diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, orally 3 days before menstruation, 50 mg per day, for 5 consecutive days can achieve the purpose of prevention and treatment. Bromocriptine has the effect of inhibiting prolactin. Taking 2.5 mg per day for 2 to 3 consecutive months can also prevent and treat menstrual migraine.

Menstrual migraine may be related to changes in serum estradiol (a female hormone) concentration. Due to the physiological characteristics of women, the concentration of estradiol in serum decreases before and after menstruation, causing the intracranial and extracranial blood vessels to be more sensitive to certain factors such as 5-hydroxytryptamine and other substances, thereby causing changes in vascular tension and causing migraine in some patients who are sensitive to this. After menstruation, the concentration of estradiol in serum returns to normal and the patient's headache can also be relieved.

Scientists have found that there is another possible cause of menstrual migraines, that is, estrogen (including estradiol) can stimulate the secretion of prolactin, thereby directly or indirectly stimulating the secretion of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins act on blood vessels, causing them to contract and dilate. This change also occurs cyclically due to the influence of estrogen, thereby triggering cyclical attacks of migraine.

Prevention of this disease is very important. In terms of diet, cheese-rich foods such as milk, ice cream, cured meats, foods containing nitrates and nitrites, as well as coffee and chocolate can all trigger migraine attacks. Migraine patients should avoid the above foods as much as possible, and choose foods that are light and fresh, and avoid spicy and irritating foods. Learning to control your emotions, ensuring adequate sleep and avoiding overwork are also important in preventing the onset of the disease.