One form in which headaches may appear during menopause is as tension headaches, or the sensation of a tight band tied around the scalp. Many women experience migraines, which are sharp headaches that include a sensitivity to bright lights, loud sounds, and strong smells. Less commonly, repeated episodes of headaches around one eye – referred to as clusters – may occur.
- Perimenopausal women and postmenopausal women experience frequent migraines – defined as 10 or more days per month – about 33% more than premenopausal women.
- About 12.2% of perimenopausal women and 12.0% of postmenopausal women have 10 or more migraines a month.
What Causes Menopausal Headaches?
During the menopause transition, estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate up and down, even more than they do during the menstrual cycle. This can trigger headaches, including migraines. However, because hormone levels shift erratically during perimenopause, menopausal headaches are often harder to predict than premenstrual ones.
Headache Triggers
When hormone levels are out of balance, there are triggers that can more easily set off a headache. While each woman may have her own triggers, common ones include:
- Low blood sugar from skipping meals
- Lack of sleep
- High stress levels
- Alcohol, especially red wine
- Bright lights
- Loud sounds
- Strong odors
- Changes in atmospheric pressure
- Abrupt changes in caffeine intake
- Foods containing nitrates or tyramine
How Macafem Relieves Headaches
Macafem is an all-natural supplement that balances hormone levels, helping to relieve hormone headaches during menopause. Its action helps regulate the blood vessels, lowering the likelihood of abnormalities than result in headache pain.
The essential micronutrients and distinct alkaloids in Macafem provide nourishment to the glands of the hormonal system. This helps them produce hormones at the levels the body needs, reducing the erratic fluctuations that can trigger headaches and other menopause symptoms.
Find out more about how Macafem works.
Headaches FAQs
1. How can I find out what triggers my headaches?
Each woman may have her own headache triggers. Keeping a “headache diary” is helpful in identifying these triggers. Jot down the time the headache occurred, how long it lasted, what you ate and drank in the past 24 hours, other symptoms you are experiencing, and any details about your period, if you are on it at the time.
2. What is an “aura”?
About 20% of people who experience migraines have an “aura” about 10 – 30 minutes before the headache comes on. These episodes typically involve flashing lights or other changes in vision, numbness in the hands and face, changes in senses, and fuzzy thinking.
3. How can you tell the difference between tension headaches and migraines?
Migraines tend to involve severe, debilitating pain; the migraine sufferer may be unable to function until it passes. Migraines tend to occur on one side of the head, while tension headaches affect both sides of the head. In addition, migraines often involve nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to lights and sounds, whereas tension headaches – even if the pain is severe – do not have these aspects.
4. How can headaches be prevented?
Often, it is best to rest in a cool, dark room if you feel a headache coming on. Avoiding stress and other triggers to the fullest extent possible is also crucial. Yoga, meditation, massage, and breathing techniques can help reduce stress levels. Balancing hormone levels helps prevent hormone headaches, especially migraines.
5. How should Macafem be taken to relieve headaches?
The generally-recommended dose of Macafem is three tablets per day with breakfast. However, just as headache intensity and frequency can vary from woman to woman, so can the optimal dose of Macafem. It can range from one to six tablets a day depending on the body’s response to the supplement and headache severity.
Other Symptoms of Menopause
Like headaches, the various symptoms of menopause can be traced to hormonal imbalance during the transition. Macafem provides natural relief from the following symptoms:
