Headaches and migraines are two of the many possible symptoms of Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)—an umbrella term for the physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms that can happen around your period.
Headaches can range from mild to severe, and pain usually occurs evenly on both sides of the head. Migraines are very intense headaches. Migraine pain can concentrate on one side of the head, and often comes with other symptoms like nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, temporary vision loss, or vomiting. Women are three times more likely to get migraines than men.
When migraines strike just before, during, or just after your period, it’s considered a menstrual migraine. Menstrual migraines feel a lot like “regular” migraines (debilitating), but the reason why they’re happening is related to the hormonal ebbs and flows of the menstrual cycle, rather than other common triggers like stress, alcohol, caffeine, bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells, sleep changes, or medications.
There are two different types of menstrual migraines, and each type occurs at a slightly different point in the menstrual cycle. Being mindful of when your headaches or migraines happen is important because it can give you clues as to what may be causing them, and how to best prevent them.
Headaches before and during your period
Premenstrual migraines are migraines that set in during the luteal phase—the menstrual phase right before your period begins. About 60% of women who get migraines get them before or during their period.
Migraines that occur a few days before your period starts are triggered by the drop of estrogen that happens in the later half of the menstrual cycle. Because they're hormone-driven, premenstrual migraines may not respond to the same medicines that work for migraines unrelated to the menstrual cycle.
Research shows premenstrual migraines are most common in people who have low magnesium stores, and magnesium supplements can be highly effective for preventing them. In one clinical study, migraine sufferers who received magnesium supplements reported that migraine attacks happened 42% less frequently. The American Migraine Foundation calls magnesium “a versatile and safe intervention” for migraines.
Researchers also believe our bodies dump their magnesium stores during times of stress, which adds fuel to the migraine fire. Whether the stress is brought on by life in general or the migraine itself, it’s important to supplement to ensure your magnesium stores stay strong and your stress response stays healthy.
Headaches after your period
Post-menstrual migraines, or migraines that strike in the days after your period ends, are also possible. This type of migraine is triggered by a temporary iron deficiency brought on by menstrual blood loss, so taking iron supplements throughout your cycle—especially while you’re bleeding—is very helpful for preventing them.
Can De Lune help with menstrual migraines?
Yes! Steady Mood, our daily multi for PMS mood swings and stress, may help with menstrual migraines. While all the ingredients in Steady Mood are effective for lifting menstrual moods, its key ingredients are clinically shown to be helpful for preventing menstrual migraines, too.
Each dose of Steady Mood contains 200mg of magnesium glycinate (our favorite form of magnesium because it’s highly absorbable and gentle on the bowels) and 9mg of iron. Magnesium works best alongside vitamin B6, so you’ll also find 50mg of this calming nutrient in every dose.
Steady Mood offers full-cycle support and nourishes all phases of the menstrual cycle, so you’re covered no matter when your migraines strike.
This information is for educational purposes only and is neither intended to nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
