HRT and migraines

[Chleo11]

I'd be interested to know if there are women out there who can definitely say that taking HRT has helped them with migraines. I know that the research says that there is no evidence that it helps, if anything, probably makes it worse. Or were you prescribed some medication for menopause and it actually helped with migraines as well. Doctors are clueless on this. Thank you.

[Cat00]

My neurologist said the menopause itself might help but not specifically HRT.

[Chleo11 in reply to Cat00]

Thanks. That is what I hear too. However they say that around 25% of women won't see a difference after menopause.

[Cat00 in reply to Chleo11]

Yes when I was younger they were more negative about the concept of the menopause fixing chronic migraine but now they've changed their tune a bit, but then that maybe bc I'm 46 now and I've had chronic migraine 28 years so they've run out of other things to say....

[Chleo11 in reply to Cat00]

To be honest, I'm not sure anymore why there are migraines specialists at all. They are clueless, they don't seem interested, they fob you off and there's no real research being done. They are good at making theories but can't even give you pain management strategies. The only strategy I have ever been given was to take Naproxen with my triptan. Wow, really?? Good luck to you and us all.

[Cat00 in reply to Chleo11]

Sadly the CGRP's were "groundbreaking" new set of meds for migraine but unfortunately they didn't work for and possibly may have damaged my bladder so I can't use all the new stuff that's being made available anyway. It took me 10 years before any doctor would believe I was having migraines everyday so the currant situation is still a huge improvement for me, took me a long time to even slightly trust doctors.

[Chleo11 in reply to Cat00]

Remember that CGRP is only one of the substances involved in migraines. Research is done nowadays by pharmaceutical companies and they do this so that they can maximise their profits. When you have daily headaches doctors don't want to deal with you. Take care.

[Cat00 in reply to Chleo11]

Yes it does seem so xx

[Clara_Bell44]

I was lead to believe it can help in some cases, but not others. I took a sequential regime of HRT at 46 to see if it would help (I suffer with very frequent migraine clusters since having viral meningitis). However, I tended to suffer from these more so at certain times of the month. I did find some relief initially, but it was short lived unfortunately. I then tried a continuous regime for a while which really didn’t suit, so I came off of it altogether. It’s worth a try to see if it works for you. I was also told by a gynae that migraines can very often ease or disappear after menopause. This happened for a friend of mine. I’m hoping so too!

[Chleo11 in reply to Clara_Bell44]

Hi Clara. I've been on HRT for 4 years but on the wrong dose because no follow-up was done. They have increased the dose now but it doesn't feel right. No change to the migraines. Thank you.

[PurpleTranmere]

I’ve tried 2 different types of HRT encouraged by the GP to try them. Both the patches and gel made my migraines far worse. I remember binning the patch in the middle of the night after days of continuous migraines. As my periods have lessened I have had an improvement in my migraines for the last 2 months 🤞it continues.

[Chleo11 in reply to PurpleTranmere]

Hello. Unfortunately my migraines are now worse than ever after menopause. The gyne says that my ovaries don't work anymore but still have hormonal cycles and on HRT. Driving me mad. Thanks.

[Lanabfar]

it’s working me. Gel and prog same dose conetsantly with a little testogel. It’s been My miracle cure but not for everyone

[Chleo11 in reply to Lanabfar]

Interesting. Thank you.

[Discodog in reply to Lanabfar]

That’s interesting - I’ve thought about testosterone as a possible to try

Combination patches for hrt haven’t affected period related migraines for me. Aimovig has reduced the frequency but still get 6 or so a month that needs the triptans.

[Juliapester3 in reply to Lanabfar]

Would you mind sharing what dosage of testosterone you have . My gp is very reluctant to prescribe me any . I have a mirena coil and 1 pump estrogen per day and when I increase my estrogen I get more migraines .

[Lanabfar in reply to Juliapester3]

I use one sachet of testogel over 10 days. A pea sized amount daily on thigh. Sorry to hear the increase in estrogen causes migraine for you

[HeadCase60]

Hormones and cycles impact my daughters migraines, she is 39 now and has had severe migraines all of her life, there is nothing she hasn’t tried and she takes alot of meds. The birth control injections taken every 3 months helped control her hormonal migraine vs the pill or any other form of bc. Her gyno dr recently retired so she went to an HRT Specialist for a full blood panel that also included vitamins and minerals. She learned that she has zero testosterone and her cortisol is way off. She hasn’t had a bc injection in 6 months and will hold off on that. The HRT Dr is starting her on testosterone before treating the cortisol issue and recheck blood in 3 months - so far so good. My daughter also takes Migre-T vitamin supplement daily (on Amazon) and her levels were all good there. The dr had one concern with the vitamin lacking the ingredient that helps folic acid absorption in the brain so suggested a supplement to help with that. The goal is to balance her hormones, determine the impact on her cortisol and start weening her off all meds. Good luck to you!

[Chleo11 in reply to HeadCase60]

Thank you for your detailed response. I'd be interested to know where you find a gyne doing vitamin checks. Are you in the States? Funnily enough I do have low cortisol as well. Are you saying that hormonal issues impact on cortisol levels? Do let me know please if you have information on this. Thanks.

[HeadCase60 in reply to Chleo11]

Hello! Here with a check-in. I'm in the States and HRT Specialists with clinics are becoming more common. They test hormones in great detail, unlike my daughter's original dr that only did a top-line panel and said she was "in range". If you don't have an HRT clinic near you, some are treating patients virtually. The Specialist indicated that low testosterone can have an impact on cortisol levels so before she treats the cortisol she wants to see how far the testosterone will bring it up. Since starting the HRT my daughter has a noticeable increase in energy which is another sign of low testosterone, it can cause fatigue. It's only been a couple of weeks but so far so good. I will report back. On a side note, I work with another woman who swears by magnesium iv infusions - straight magnesium, one bag a week has taken her off all medications. She said other migraine patients are at the infusion clinic when she goes, one man does two bags twice a week. My daughter's magnesium levels were okay; however, the HRT Clinic also does vitamin and mineral infusions so it may be something she adds into her treatment later to help her body fully absorb the magnesium which plays such a key role in migraines. Everyone's needed levels of everything are so individual, its finding the right balance that works which is why the Specialist is only introducing one thing at a time and balancing as she goes. Take care.

[Chleo11 in reply to HeadCase60]

Hi. Well, here in the UK we certainly have nothing like this. We're lucky when we even find a doctor who knows anything about HRT dosages. Thanks for your input.

[Xandi2]

My friend took it and it helped immensely and stopped the menstrual ones. I take HRT and it hasn't.

[Chleo11 in reply to Xandi2]

Typical, isn't it? Thank you.

[Xandi2 in reply to Chleo11]

I also wanted to add there's a specialist called Anne McGregor. She recommends going on the progesterone only pill if hrt doesn't work. My neurologist recommended this, you can also stay on hrt whilst being on this to keep menopause symptoms at bay. Anne McGregor has a book out too - she's been interviewed on the migraine week deep dive thing they do online with all the specialist. Absolutely impossible to get an appointment with her though. My next port of call is the pill - you can safely use up until you're 50 apparently.

[Chleo11 in reply to Xandi2]

Hi. Been there, done that! Ended up having an emergency hysteroscopy because of a weeks-long very heavy bleeding. Doctors suggested that the progesterone only pill prescribed and taken for 6 months caused that. Not mentioning the oedema..... Any added hormones seem to cause havoc in migraineurs. Thanks.

[Roonie22]

My migraines became chronic 2 years after my menopause. I started HRT in the hope it would help but it hasn’t made a difference to my migraines.

[Chleo11 in reply to Roonie22]

Sorry to hear that. Yes, it looks like my migraines were linked to my hormones my entire life and now that my hormones have retired my migraines are worse than ever. Good luck to you.

[01Jacqui in reply to Chleo11]

Hi Chloe. I hear you when you say your Neurologist isn't helping. I noticed after a few years that mine wasn't actually listening to me - I often noticed when I was trying to explain something that he'd talk over me. He was good at offering new medications and repeatedly telling me I have medication overuse migraine, but in the end, after having tried everything out there (including 4 days in hospital under my Neuro's care on ketamine to try and change the pain pathway), I've more recently done my own trails with medication (with the support of my GP) - most recently with anti-depressants that have been shown to impact the pain pathways in the brain and I've found (after trailing about 6 different types in the last couple of years) that venlafaxine has reduced my chronic, almost daily migraine to about 1 or 2 a week - sometimes less. Not sure if that's useful as it's off focus from your initial post, but thought would share just in case it's useful for someone. It's sometimes difficult to stay positive about experiencing chronic pain like migraines and few people understand what it's like to have each day revolve around hoping and trying not to get a migraine while trying not to overuse medication. After having migraines since my 20's and still having them today in my 50's it's a mysterious and frustrating 'disease' dis-order? HRT had no impact on my migraines - possibly increased them? I hope something comes up for you that works to at least reduce your experience with migraine.🫶

[Chleo11 in reply to 01Jacqui]

Thank you for your response. I've tried a fair bit of medication. They always seem to work the first few weeks and then the side effects take over. What always makes me furious is when they ask you if you feel anxious or depressed. Who wouldn't with chronic unpredictable excruciating pain? 🤯

[Lanabfar]

with the addition of hrt, I also made huge life changes

I have a night teeth guard now to stop the teeth grinding.

I avoid stress at all times or if I feel myself getting angry I walk out side for oxygen.

Oxygen has been a huge life saver. I do deep breathing exercises.

I started reformer Pilates 3 times a week which ensures my posture, neck, shoulders, core are strong.

I stopped eating processed food ( limited it really) mainly consume tonnes of fruit / veg / fish and good grains

I ensure I sleep at least 8 hrs a night (if I’m not sleeping well then I take 1/2 an anti histamine called piriton. Sleep is crucial for migrainers.

I take lots of walks and breaks from pc when at work I don’t get into huge conflicts in my life anymore as they’ll trigger migraine.

[SandyDS]

My migraine changed pattern after menapause less pain and sickness but daily . Then the doc said 4 years after finishing menapause I started having symptoms again basicallt hot sweats . I only had hoy flush at 8.40 every night before . So was put on HRT this time . Migraine more pain more 6 and 7 and also more at back of head as well which would not go away . I stopped after 3 weeks could not take the pain any more and my mood dropped badly as well . So not a good experience either .. I hope it helps someone else .

[Chleo11 in reply to SandyDS]

Sorry to hear!

[Kariss]

Hi Chloe, I don’t have first hand knowledge but I can say that my sister who suffered the sort of migraines that render you helpless, (retired to bed in a dark room, vomiting and pain for 24 hours), started HRT in her mid 50’s for menopause and her migraines disappeared completely. I don’t know which HRT she was on, as she changed meds several times, but in the fifteen years since, she has only had one severe bout of migraine, and she is also still on a low dose of HRT.

I myself, also a migraine sufferer, have never taken HRT and my migraines still persevere since menopause, (now 14 years ago). They are just not quite so bad now and respond reasonably well to Migraleve. Hope this is useful information! x

[Chleo11 in reply to Kariss]

Thank you for letting us know!

[Brychni]

Hi ChleoAfter decades of migraine and cluster headaches and experiments with pizotifen, Topiramate, sumatriptan and a blood pressuremedication abd hrt, with 3 hospital admissions, I finally started Ajovy nearly 2 years ago.

I'm 53 now. It's the only thing that has worked. So well that I'm in full time employment for the first time in years and years.

It's safe to say that migraines wrecked my life.

Hope you find a drug that works for you. It's a really, really sh** thing to bear.

[Chleo11 in reply to Brychni]

Hello. I'm glad for you that you have found something that allows you to have your life back. Have a nice weekend!