What Causes Headaches During Menstruation?
Jul 23, 2021
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Jing
Introduction
Clinical studies have shown that menstrual migraine is associated with physiological factors unique to women, including blood loss during menstruation and various neuroendocrine factors. Menstrual blood loss can exacerbate pre-existing anemia, leading some women to experience headaches, pallor, and other symptoms during their period. Additionally, women’s immune resistance declines during menstruation; thus, exposure to cold at this time may not only cause dysmenorrhea but also trigger headaches.
Clinical studies indicate that menstrual migraine is associated with physiological factors unique to women; approximately 63% of women experience headaches closely linked to their menstrual cycle. These headaches are related to menstrual blood loss and various neuroendocrine factors. During menstruation, blood loss may exacerbate preexisting anemia, leading some women to experience headaches and pallor. Exposure to cold during the menstrual period may also trigger headaches, as women’s immune resistance declines at this time; thus, chilling the body not only causes dysmenorrhea but may also induce headache.
Furthermore, menstrual headache is associated with fluctuations in serum estrogen levels. Estrogen concentrations decrease before and after menstruation, altering vascular tone both centrally and peripherally, thereby provoking headaches in susceptible women. Additionally, some women experience heightened nervous tension and increased sensitivity before and after menstruation, resulting in headaches of varying severity.
