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Hormones and Headaches: Migraines in Women

Migraines are the worst. I’ve been fortunate in my life to have never experienced a single migraine, but I have a friend that gets them often, and they really take her down. She must have the room completely dark—no phone or TV. She has to keep a cold rag on her head. She can’t eat. She can barely sleep, and she often calls in sick to work because of the pain. After a few days of rest and medication, she can get back to her everyday life, but while she has the migraine, it’s debilitating. Women suffer from migraines more often than men, and they usually last longer as well, but why? To help understand where these migraines are coming from in women, I reached out to Jennifer Chung, MD, from The Christ Hospital Physicians - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation​ to find out more.

Hormones play a role

Dr. Chung explained to me, “Women are three times more likely to experience migraines than men mainly due to the differences in hormones, but we also know the structural brain changes as well as stress levels and mental load that women generally carry contribute to this disparity as well. Estrogen and progesterone, which are seen in higher levels in women, play a role in the pain processing networks. Hormone fluctuations may also trigger migraines, which can worsen prior to menstruation as well as during perimenopause and menopause.”

When women get pregnant, they can sometimes suffer from migraines as well. Dr. Chung said, “As a result of hormone changes and increased blood volume during pregnancy, migraines may initially worsen but usually eventually level out in the second trimester. Lack of sleep and posture changes, which are inevitable during and after pregnancy, can also contribute to flaring migraine episodes.”

Treating migraines

While migraines are often completely debilitating to people while they’re having them, there are several different home treatments that women can try. Dr. Chung said you should start by keeping a headache dairy. She elaborated, “It is important to monitor the episodes with a headache diary, which will help you identify specific triggers that should be avoided. Strong smells, bright lights, changes in weather, and red wine are some of the more common triggers. Finding ways to reduce stress with meditation or holistic therapies—such as acupuncture—and improving sleep hygiene are important management strategies as well. Once you are experiencing a migraine, I recommend staying in a dark room, drinking water, using cold compresses to relieve the pain. There are also over-the-counter medications that can help, but I recommend speaking to a physician prior to use.”

When to seek professional help?

If you try these at home options and just don’t seem to be getting any relief, it is time to see a doctor. Dr. Chung said, “Anytime an issue becomes disruptive to your day-to-day is the right time to see a physician. Migraines can be especially debilitating, even if they occur infrequently. There are multiple treatments we can try so that you do not lose days at a time to headaches: dry needling, physical therapy, Botox—which can also help with bruxism and jaw clenching—as well as various medications that will either stop or prevent a migraine. We are seeing several new medications that are proving to be very effective with minimal side effects. It is an exciting time for migraine research!”

For more information on Dr. Jennifer Chung, click here.

Q102's Jennifer Fritsch

​Jennifer Fritsch is part of the Jeff and Jenn Mo​rning Show on Q102, which airs on weekdays from 5:30-10 a.m. She is also a co-host on Q102’s Hot List, weekdays at 10 a.m. When she isn't working, Fritsch enjoys traveling, visiting new places and of course, being a mom! She has a daughter named Penelope, and thoroughly enjoys trying new things together as a mother/daughter duo.  As a paid partner of The Christ Hospital Health Network, Fritsch is eager to share all experiences through Healthspirations.​

Hormones and Headaches: Migraines in Women Q102’s Jennifer Fritsch met with Jennifer Chung, MD, from The Christ Hospital Health Network to learn more about why women are more likely than men to experience migraines and the available treatment options to help them find relief.

Migraines are the worst. I’ve been fortunate in my life to have never experienced a single migraine, but I have a friend that gets them often, and they really take her down. She must have the room completely dark—no phone or TV. She has to keep a cold rag on her head. She can’t eat. She can barely sleep, and she often calls in sick to work because of the pain. After a few days of rest and medication, she can get back to her everyday life, but while she has the migraine, it’s debilitating. Women suffer from migraines more often than men, and they usually last longer as well, but why? To help understand where these migraines are coming from in women, I reached out to Jennifer Chung, MD, from The Christ Hospital Physicians - Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation​ to find out more.

Hormones play a role

Dr. Chung explained to me, “Women are three times more likely to experience migraines than men mainly due to the differences in hormones, but we also know the structural brain changes as well as stress levels and mental load that women generally carry contribute to this disparity as well. Estrogen and progesterone, which are seen in higher levels in women, play a role in the pain processing networks. Hormone fluctuations may also trigger migraines, which can worsen prior to menstruation as well as during perimenopause and menopause.”

When women get pregnant, they can sometimes suffer from migraines as well. Dr. Chung said, “As a result of hormone changes and increased blood volume during pregnancy, migraines may initially worsen but usually eventually level out in the second trimester. Lack of sleep and posture changes, which are inevitable during and after pregnancy, can also contribute to flaring migraine episodes.”

Treating migraines

While migraines are often completely debilitating to people while they’re having them, there are several different home treatments that women can try. Dr. Chung said you should start by keeping a headache dairy. She elaborated, “It is important to monitor the episodes with a headache diary, which will help you identify specific triggers that should be avoided. Strong smells, bright lights, changes in weather, and red wine are some of the more common triggers. Finding ways to reduce stress with meditation or holistic therapies—such as acupuncture—and improving sleep hygiene are important management strategies as well. Once you are experiencing a migraine, I recommend staying in a dark room, drinking water, using cold compresses to relieve the pain. There are also over-the-counter medications that can help, but I recommend speaking to a physician prior to use.”

When to seek professional help?

If you try these at home options and just don’t seem to be getting any relief, it is time to see a doctor. Dr. Chung said, “Anytime an issue becomes disruptive to your day-to-day is the right time to see a physician. Migraines can be especially debilitating, even if they occur infrequently. There are multiple treatments we can try so that you do not lose days at a time to headaches: dry needling, physical therapy, Botox—which can also help with bruxism and jaw clenching—as well as various medications that will either stop or prevent a migraine. We are seeing several new medications that are proving to be very effective with minimal side effects. It is an exciting time for migraine research!”

For more information on Dr. Jennifer Chung, click here.

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