How Can You Connect Hormones and Headaches?

How Can You Connect Hormones and Headaches?
December 17, 2018

Have you ever thought there could be a link between hormones and a headache? Due to ovulation, in women, during their perimenopausal or menopausal stages, headaches occur. It typically happens just before periods or when ovaries produce less estrogen and progesterone. There is a strong link between estrogen and headaches, and this symptom is known as estrogen withdrawal. Estrogen withdrawal migraines and headaches can continue for years after menopause, and BHRT (Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy) can help women get relief from it.

Hormones and Headaches

During neurological and endocrine studies, it has been found that estrogen is liable for modulating the severity and frequency of migraines. Additionally, estrogen steroid hormone quantity, also known as serum estradiol, affects estrogen in the body. A woman can get a bad headache and migraine if the serum estradiol and estrogen drop below the needed levels. Now, what can help with this problem? People know about hormonal imbalances in OKC, so they try hormone replacement therapy.

The Mechanism

Estrogen may affect the blood vessels or vasculature, provoke Nitric Oxide or NO release, and activate the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway. It has been found that in the body, NO is produced in blood platelets when one has a migraine, and it alters normal blood flow.

Imbalance of Estrogen and Progesterone

Another theory about hormones and headaches includes metabolic and neurohormonal imbalances, affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-gonadal axis. It is long proven that hormonal imbalances can cause a migraine.

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Do Not Take Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that works for pain relief but does not have any effects on nerves, such as a numbing effect. It influences necessary enzymes to create certain prostaglandins. It helps to alleviate pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen interferes with the hormonal balance and may also have side effects such as nausea, heartburn, etc.

Acetaminophen is an analgesic that relieves pain and increases the pain threshold. If you take it for a fever, it will start to affect the brain areas regulating body temperature. This pill also regulates prostaglandin but is not a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Therefore, it has side effects such as vomiting, stomach pain, etc.

Doctors strongly suggest not having either of these two; instead, for a better cure, hormone replacement therapy in OKC is considered due to its far-reaching results.

Come to Oklahoma Spine & Pain Management for a detailed guide on hormone replacement therapy in OKC. We will help you to get relief from menopausal problems.

* * Disclaimer: This content should not be considered medical advice and does not imply a doctor-patient relationship.

Darryl D. Robinson, MD

Medical Director

About Author

Dr. Darryl Robinson, a Richmond, Virginia native, earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University, graduating magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to receive his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia in 1995. Commissioned into the U.S. Army the same year, Dr. Robinson completed his internship at Walter Reed and served as a General Medical Officer at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He left active duty in 1998 and remained in the reserves through 2004. After completing his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and a fellowship in Pain Medicine, Dr. Robinson joined Oklahoma Sports Science and Orthopedics in 2002. He has since been recognized for delivering comprehensive, cutting-edge care for pain conditions. In 2012, he was named one of the region's top physicians by Castle Connolly. Frustrated by the limitations of conventional pain treatments, he expanded his approach to include wellness-based therapies focused on nutrition, hormone optimization, and regenerative medicine. He later became a Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Also in 2012, Dr. Robinson was honored as one of the first "Pink Tie Guys" by the Susan G. Komen foundation in Oklahoma, recognizing his advocacy for women's health.
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