Eating vegetables, fruits and whole grains may help prevent PMS headaches.
PMS headaches can occur one to two weeks before the onset of monthly menstrual bleeding. The cause of this malady is not completely understood, but is likely related to falling estrogen levels. There are several actions you can take to prevent these headaches from occurring each month. Keep in mind, however, that no single treatment works for everyone; you may need to try several before you find one that is effective for you.
Lifestyle
A number of lifestyle factors can impact your PMS symptoms. Making changes in you life may help ease or prevent PMS headaches. Exercise regularly and try to get around eight hours of sleep every night. Learn cope with stress in healthy ways by incorporating yoga, massage or journal writing into your day. In addition, eat a healthy diet and avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, sugary foods and salt. Ask your doctor about using supplements to prevent PMS symptoms such as black cohosh, evening primrose oil, folic acid, magnesium and vitamin E.
Pain Medications
Some pain medications, such as naproxen and ibuprofen, can prevent headaches related to PMS. Take these medications as directed well before you expect your headaches to appear, possibly five to seven days before your period starts. If these medications prove ineffective, consider stronger prescription drugs called triptans. These come in the form of a nasal spray, a pill or an injection and may be helpful when taken at the onset of a PMS headache or migraine.
Birth Control Pills
If your headaches are caused by premenstrual estrogen decline, birth control pills may provide prevention. For this headache treatment, your physician will likely prescribe low-dose "monophasic" birth control pills. All of these pills have the same amount of hormones in them, unlike other birth control pills that have varying amounts in each pill. Taking these pills everyday will stop your headache-inducing estrogen decline that happens prior to your period each month.
Antidepressants
Tricyclic and SSRI antidepressants are another common line of defense against PMS headaches. These medications can balance certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters that affect PMS symptoms. When taken long-term, certain antidepressants can diminish or completely prevent headaches related to the premenstrual cycle. In addition, some women may need to take them only two weeks before the start of their period each month.
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