During menstruation

The drop in estrogen just before your period might contribute to headaches. Many women with migraines report headaches before or during menstruation.

Your menstrual-related migraines can be treated in several ways. Proven treatments for migraines are often effective for treating menstrual migraines. They include:

• Ice. Hold a cold cloth or an ice pack to the painful area on your head or neck. Wrap the ice pack in a towel to protect your skin.
• Relaxation exercises. Try relaxation exercises to lower stress.
• Biofeedback. Biofeedback might improve your headaches by helping you monitor how your body responds to stress.
• Acupuncture. Acupuncture might improve your headaches and help you relax.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers. Your doctor might recommend that you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others). These medications might relieve your pain soon after your headache begins.
• Triptans. Your doctor might prescribe these medications that block pain signals in your brain. Triptans often relieve pain from your headache within two hours and help control vomiting.
• Gepants. Your doctor might prescribe from this newer group of medications. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists are effective for treatment of migraine.
• Other prescription pain medications. Sometimes your doctor might suggest other prescription pain medications, such as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal). These can't be taken with triptans.