I am new and looking for advice on menstrual migraine.

[ejh1]

I have dreadful menstrual migraines that occur on the first few days of my period. Sometimes with classic aura, sometimes without. Always on the right side of my head and affecting my vision, hearing and with awful neck pain. Usually lasts 3-4 days in total. I always had bad periods due to endometriosis (now removed) and now use the mirena coil (which I know has some progesterone in it). I am 43 and have 2 kids and don't want any more! I am also hypothyroid (almost under control), which I know is all linked in, and have found the thyroid site very helpful, so thought I'd try this one for the migraines!

I have read about progesterone and oestrogen creams, and wondered if anyone could give me any general advice about trying these out - how much to use and when, and which one to use.

[MaryF]

Hi there natural progesterone cream is used in rotation, according to your age, I am pre menopausal.. so use it from day 12, to 5 days before, it does make a difference, as does taking magnesium, b complex, Q10 together... at the right dose. PM me if you want more info, but it is only stuff myself and girlfriends do, guided by a nutritionist originally

. Mary F x

[ejh1 in reply to MaryF]

Thanks Mary. I see you on Thyroid UK too I believe! I may well give it a try!

Emma

[MaryF in reply to ejh1]

and I took my young son for a very good appointment at The National Migraine Centre which helped immensely. MF x

[Charlotte_NMC Partner National Migraine Centre]

The best thing really is to come along to the Centre and see one of our headache specialists as everyone is indiviudual (we have two that specialise in reproductive health). Call 0207 251 3322 for reception. We have a good factsheet on our website in the mean time migraineclinic.org.uk/wp-co.... The Centre has for the past 32 years led the field in menstrual migraine research, so you would be coming to the right place!

[ejh1 in reply to Charlotte_NMC]

Thanks for the reply. I have toyed with doing this before (and I even did some work with Anne McG about 15 years ago!), so I may give the cream a try for a couple of months and if that fails, make an appointment. I know from my personal experience of thyroid problems that it is important to speak to someone who actually takes you seriously.

[JI1971]

Hi ejh1

I too suffer with menstrual migraines and I'm of a similar age. I've tried also types of headache tablets and nothing works, my GP has decided the next options is to stop my periods all together so I'm taking the mini pill - Cerzette for 3 months to see if it helps. I did mention about the cream but she didn't think it would work.

Let me know how you get on with it.

[ejh1 in reply to JI1971]

Hi

Just thought I'd reply to you after a month of trial (using the cream for the second half of my cycle). I've just had my migraine yesterday evening. It was mild, no aura, and all I did was eat a sandwich and lie down for half an hour, then I could cope again. I've got the stiff neck today, but it is nowhere near as bad as usual. I've been taking aspirin and paracetamol alternately so no triptans either. Going on the usual symptoms, I'd say this migraine is milder and shorter than usual (usually 3-4 days). I also noticed no sore breasts at all this month, and I slept really well every night. Sometimes I get disturbed sleep just before the migraine.

Of course it could just be a placebo effect, but that's fine by me if it works!

Does stopping the periods altogether help? This would be something I'd consider. I actually have a mirena coil which I need for my endometriosis, but would consider a pill too.

Cheers

Emma

[JI1971 in reply to ejh1]

Hi Emma It's good to hear the cream is working. I'm not having such success with the mini pill. In fact I've now stopped taking it, as it made me feel dreadful all the time, constant backache/period pains it didn't stop my periods just made them longer and the migraines still happened. I know I should of stuck it out longer but I have never felt so bad, so back to the doctors I go!!

[ejh1 in reply to JI1971]

Oh dear, sorry to hear this. I hope you can find something that does work. I wouldn't say the progesterone cream is really working completely, but that my migraine this month has been less painful and not quite so long or debilitating. The cream certainly sorted out the PMT symptoms too (which were relatively mild anyway) so I will use it again next month. I'm going to try oestrogen cream next month in addition. In fact I'm going to ask my GP for it based on the national migraine centre study. I thope she'll be open to this request

[1stgls]

I had no success with the pill, mirena coil or HRT, I ( the same as all the rest of you ) run my life around the calender, I make sure I leave 8 days free, the "in between" migraine are a pain as they are unexpected,

Has any one had problems with Mefanamic acid- --Migraine, mega dizzy, vomiting and unconciousness? I tried it for 2 months ( a week berfore my period was due to control the heavy bleeding) and as soon as I stopped them these symptoms went!!!!---scared the living c--p out of me

[Wolfiesmom08]

I feel like I’m in the same boat as you. The best book I read about migraines was:

migraineworldsummit.com/pub...

I also take Frovratriptan 2.5 and this is the best acting migraine abortive For menstrual related migraines because it lasts about 24 hours and you can take it a couple days in a row and menstrual migraine can last three or four days