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| Women and Migraine |
| Migraine is more common in adult women than in men. Both sexes may develop migraine in infancy, but most often the disorder begins between the ages of 5 and 35. The relationship between female sex hormones and migraine is unclear, but the association of migraine with menstrual flow seems to arise from the fluctuations in hormonal levels, especially estrogen, rather than from too much or too little of any particular hormone. Some women suffer from ''menstrual migraine" around the time of their menstrual period, but the headaches may disappear during pregnancy. Many women trace the onset of their severe headaches to puberty while others develop migraine for the first time when they are pregnant. Still others are first affected after menopause. |
| The effect of oral contraceptives on headaches is perplexing. Some migrainous women who take birth control pills experience more frequent and severe attacks. However, a small percentage of women have fewer and less severe migraine headaches when they take birth control pills. Women who normally do not suffer from headaches may develop migraines as a side effect when they use oral contraceptives. |
| The choice of herbs goes beyond the use of feverfew here as the underlying hormonal issues need to be addressed. Remedies that facilitate hormone balancing should always be included, with chasteberry, also called vitex, the most directly relevant. |
| The first mixture for menstrually related migraine diminishes the symptoms of PMS, thus easing this headache trigger, while the second is the core treatment to be used on a daily basis. |
| Hormonal Migraine Formula #1 |
Skullcap | 2 parts
Valerian | 1 part
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