Menopause headaches have many causes
Natural remedies can help

Causes of Menopause Headaches

Hormonally-caused headaches and migraines

Many women get headaches and migraines when hormone levels are shifting, for instance right before a period, around the time of ovulation, or during pre menopause and menopause

Birth control pills may cause headaches.

ERT/HRT can trigger headaches.


Other causes of menopause headaches

New food allergies or sensitivities that often show up around menopause can trigger headaches. The most common food allergies or sensitivities come from wheat, soy, corn, pasteurized non-homogenized dairy, and peanuts. If you suspect you may have a sensitivity to one of these foods, try going without it for 7-10 days. Then reintroduce it and note any reactions.

Dehydration is a common cause of headaches. Be sure to drink at lots of water each day. You will need more if you are drink coffee or alcohol.

If you wake up in the morning with a headache, it could be from very high blood pressure. Get checked immediately.

For more information on types and causes of headaches, see The National Headache Foundation


Natural Remedies for Menopause Headaches

First rule out any severe medical condition, such as high blood pressure, brain tumor or sleep apnea.

Make sure you're drinking 8 glasses of water each day. Dehydration can cause headaches. If you drink coffee or alcohol, you will need more water.

Exercise helps your body eliminate toxins, and may help with headaches.

Acupuncture and biofeedback can help reduce pain from migraines.

If you drink coffee, try cutting back. I gave up coffee before I got pregnant with my son, and my frequent headaches completely disappeared. I started drinking it again a few years later, and started getting headaches in pre menopause. I cut my coffee intake in half and the headaches went away.

If you are deficient in magnesium, taking 200-500mg per day may eliminate your headaches.

Bioidentical progesterone cream may help with headaches. This will make it worse for some women, who may find relief with estrogen therapy.

Avoid MSG, aspartame and other artificial ingredients that may trigger headaches or migraines. Also avoid any food you may be sensitive or allergic to.


Herbs for Menopause Headaches

You can try one or a combination of the following herbs for help with menopause headaches.

Try rubbing lavender or tea tree oil on the areas that hurt.

Black cohosh, 20-25 drops 4 times per day. See black cohosh for more info.

Blue vervain (Verbena hastata), 20-40 drops as needed.

Scullcap may help, especially if it's a tension headache. Take 30-60 drops as needed.

St. John's Wort fresh herb tincture, 20-30 drops 3 times a day. See St. John's Wort for more info.

Wild yam (Dioscorea), 10-30 drops up to 6 times a day. See wild yam for more info.

Willow bark tincture, 10 drops as needed.

To prevent migraines – eat a couple of fresh leaves of feverfew daily, or you can try it in freeze-dried capsules. It could take several months to work.

Return home from Menopause Headaches