What is the problem? 

Many women who enter perimenopause - the period of two to ten years before menopause - begin to experience more headaches than before. We all experience headaches and neck pain from time to time, and some of us are unlucky enough to suffer from migraines. Unfortunately, these complaints can be more frequent and more pronounced during the menopausal transition.

A migraine is a recurring episode of headache that can last between 5 and 72 hours and is often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light. Migraines can occur with or without an aura. This can be a visual aura such as flashing lights or dark spots or strange sensations such as tingling, numbness or dizziness. The auras last up to an hour and disappear before the headache occurs.

What are the reasons for this?

Hormone levels play a role in headaches: for example, it is known that the rapid drop in oestrogen before menstruation often leads to headaches and even migraines. It has also been shown that women are more prone to migraines than men.

At the beginning of the perimenopause, when oestrogen levels start to rise and fall irregularly, you may experience migraines for the first time or the symptoms may be more severe than usual.

Normally, hormone-induced headaches or migraines should disappear when menstruation stops and oestrogen levels fall.

What solutions are available?

A balanced diet is certainly the first thing to think about. Delaying or skipping a meal often causes a drop in blood sugar levels, which can trigger a migraine. Having a snack every four hours during the day will help keep blood sugar levels stable and prevent headaches. Try to reduce stress, get enough sleep and exercise.

You can try to consume more phytoestrogens. These are found in soy, barley, sesame and oats. Vitamin B2 and magnesium supplements can also help.