I have had menstrual migraines since I was 17 once a month except when I was pregnant.
Well now I'm finally in menopause and into my 4th menstrual free month. BUt , I'm still getting
my monthly migraine. A matter of fact I have gotten 2 this month.
When I used to think of Menopause I looked forward to no more migraines.
I talked to the Doctor and she said that I might not stop the headaches??

Please any advise...

Hi Coleen.
Although I'm not a migraine sufferer.. My best friend has suffered migraines since her late teens. At 58 she is post memo.
She still has her monthly migraine, although not as severe.. I wish I could give more help to you. Maybe someone else can jump in here..

All the best

Lack of hormones...I have not had one since starting bio-identical hormones. I was having at least 4 per month.
Estradiol prevents migraines...PM...or just look at my post.
Shebee
Migraine free Forever!

After keeping a headache log, my doctor determined that my migraines were menstrual migraines. When she started talking about estrogen, I started looking for other options. I have added 300-500 mg per day of magnesium to my diet, and have had no migraines since. It's an easy, inexpensive option to try. Good luck!

I tried magnesium, but it didn't even put a dent in my headaches. From the headache research I've read, it's not LOW estrogen that gives you the headaches, but the DOWNWARD DROP of estrogen levels (not the rise) in the body. Something to do with nitric oxide production when estrogen drops which causes blood vessel dilation. So if you're having fluctuating estrogen levels, every time it goes down, you can get a headache. During peri and even when you're menopausal, if your estrogen is still fluctuating and you're prone to headaches, you'll get a lot of them. That's why women that take estrogen orally get worsening or more frequent migraines, it rises and falls quickly in the body. Estrogen in a topical creme form with a more constant dosing seems to help some women better.

I saw an interesting history story about the DuPont Company and dynamite production. Apparently the workers that made nitroglycerin were constantly being exposed to the nitrogen compound at work and getting a dose while inhaling and touching it. It would give them headaches at first as they worked with it, but as they were slowly exposed to it for a long period of time, they acclimated and got no more headaches. However, they would notice that if they went home for the weekend, they would get the headaches back, so these workers started taking a little of the compound home with then to ingest to PREVENT the weekend headaches! Weird!

I stopped my periods in February '08 and I still have a monthly migraine. My Doc said that some women have them forever, some will find they get better after time. Mine do seem to have lessened in severity lately. I STILL can't wait for the day that they go away completely. This has been by FAR my worst menopause symptom. Every month for years I have waited for that dreaded pain and the 24 hours of shear agony. I wouldn't wish these on my worst enemy.
Hugs, Kleeo

At least you don't have them nearly every day! Excedrin, the 'Tension Headache' version with acetaminophen and caffiene ingredients only, no aspirin, has been my savior. But you have to keep to less than two 500 mg pills a day to not get withdrawal headaches.

This is a really informative thread. Thanks sehlat for explaining the estrogen drop as being the culprit. I just got over another 2 day migraine and sure enough I started another period,after only 16 days from the last one! AACCKKK. I remember thinking when I had my migraine why am I getting one? my period isn't due. In the past they always occured during the 2nd or 3rd day of my period.

bethl, I think I will try the magnesium in the hope it works. These headaches are the worst