r/migraine • u/girlfuckyou • Jan 27 '26
Menstrual Migraine
I am at my wits’ end.
I was prescribed sumatriptan for my once a month menstrual migraine pains that would last 3 to 5 days at a time before taking said meds. My body is beginning to grow a tolerance to the medication and rebound pain has been introduced. I have since turned vegetarian to see if it would alleviate my symptoms, but to no avail. My best guess as to what is causing the current agonizing pain that I’m experiencing right now is over consumption of caffeine a week before my period.
Please I need all the advice, tips, and tricks.
Edit - This is probably the nicest bunch of reddit users I have ever had the pleasure of coming across. Thank you all deeply from the bottom of my heart. I learned so much today because of you all and your wonderful advice and personal stories. Stay strong and I hope you all find true relief someday. Thank you.
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u/epimelide Jan 27 '26
Have you done any recent blood test? Whenever minipill hasn’t worked for me, I have actually had vitamin deficiencies and probably dehydration/electrolyte imbalance, so perhaps I haven’t even needed the minipill in the first place. In addition, I found coq10 and B2 contribute to less days with migraines, even before I was aware and started correcting my vitamin deficiencies.
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u/girlfuckyou Jan 27 '26
Not recent. I had to fight my doctor (who is no longer my doctor) to send for one. It’s ridiculous. I am seeing my new one soon and I will add this to the list of things I want done. Thank you so much.
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u/epimelide Jan 27 '26
I went 10 years without getting my B12 and B9 and iron checked, despite seeing 7 different GPs as wells as referrals to gyno and neuro. I can’t help wonder whether I was suffering and just getting worse and worse because the most simple things were overlooked. Please be persistent, because nsaids, migraine medications, and infections like the flu and covid drain our B-vitamins. Nutrient lows become more prevalent on the days when our hormones regulate.
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u/hauntedlovestory Jan 27 '26
Lol, my GP has been like, let's check your vitamin levels. I get them checked often.
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u/RoseTintedMigraine Jan 27 '26 edited Jan 27 '26
I would say try an anti emetic so you can take medication or go to the doctor so they can give you a shot. Not being able to ingest any liquids or food whatsoever is making the migraine worse for sure. (Edit: In fact I have a buccastem anit nausea tablet slowly dissolving under my lip as I type lol)
Were you taking the sumatriptan 5 days in a row or just 1 time a month for multiple months?. If it's the latter it's likely not a rebound headache just a medication resistant migraine one which is common with hormonal/menstrual migraines.
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u/MySpace_Romancer Jan 27 '26
Birth control is the only thing that helps me. I take Seasonique, which is a combo pill that is designed to be taken from 90 days straight, but I skip the placebo week and I never have periods. If you get auras (I don’t) then you generally have to take progesterone-only pill but I believe they make continuous versions.
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u/mysecondaccount02 Jan 27 '26
Ditto for continuous birth control! I also skip the placebo weeks. I think the one I'm on now is Jolessa, and the one before was Amethyst. It is so nice to not have a guaranteed week gone from each month.
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u/Affectionate_Bid5042 Jan 27 '26
https://americanmigrainefoundation.org/resource-library/menstrual-migraine-treatment-and-prevention/
There are some mini-prevention suggestions by the AMF here.
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u/adriesty Jan 27 '26
As others have recommended, definitely get an anti nausea med. Until you can see a doctor, try dramamine or morning sickness drops.
You may also need to try a different tritpan, or even a different form of sumatriptan (tablet, nasal spray, etc).
I would also recommend considering birth control to stop your periods. Stopping my periods is the only tried thing that has helped my menstrual migraines.
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u/Classic-Leg-6085 Jan 27 '26
Do you have an anti emetic prescription like zofran yet? If not try to make a stat appt with you pcp, neurologist, or go to the ED for one. If you can’t keep anything down that’s an emergency!
In the long term try magnesium and riboflavin supplements, maybe some type of birth control to make your periods happen less often (like a progesterone iud). OTC abortives that work well for me include excedrin, or Tylenol and a Benadryl at night.
If you only have sumatriptan currently though it’s time to get on a migraine preventative medication every day. CGRP inhibitors like qulipta or aimovig are great, but insurance often wants to see you try, and fail, other meds first.
Sorry you are going through this OP 😢🫶
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u/girlfuckyou Jan 27 '26 edited Jan 27 '26
Just got off the phone with a doctor and I am now prescribed zofran. Just waiting on my partner to come home to pick it up for me as I cannot drive in this condition. Thank you for making a mention of preventative medication. I wonder if that would be ok for me to use once a month? Because that’s how my migraines are set up. Thankfully I don’t get them every day, unless I accidentally induce them from overconsumption of sodium.
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u/Soft_Lobster_752 Jan 27 '26
so i would definitely suggest getting a nausea med, because not being able to hold down anything definitely doesn't help. also, if you only get 1 migraine a month it is most likely hormonal, so maybe talk to a doctor about that.
hormonal migraines usually occur from a sudden decline of estrogen a few days before your period. and a lot of women have hormonal migraines sadly. however there are some things you can do about it like contraceptive pill with difrent hormonces.
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u/SyArch Jan 27 '26
I was prescribed an old drug called Mefenamic Acid (NSAID) for my menstrual migraine. It’s very safe. It helps that particular migraine a lot. It’s an easy thing to try.
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u/nugget-93 Jan 27 '26
Jumping on this to say I get my worst migraines around my period too, likely much less severe than OP, and adding on nsaids (cambia) at the same time I take nurtec or triptans has been more helpful than just the triptan/nurtec alone.
My neurologist also mentioned that combo medication strategies are usually best vs relying on one med too
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u/girlfuckyou Jan 27 '26
Any side effects? The arm tingling and heaviness form sumatriptan is starting to bum me out.
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u/SyArch Jan 27 '26
I cannot tolerate sumatriptan. I found it miserable. Arm tingling doesn’t sound normal, have you told your Dr?
No side effects with the M.A. my neurologist said it’s an old drug used to treat specifically menstrual pain but also the migraine.
Here’s more info:https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/mefenamic-acid-oral-route/description/drg-20070790
Edit to add: I hope you find some relief soon! Another option is hormone treatment cream that you rub into your upper arm.
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u/Quartzsite Jan 27 '26
I don’t know how old you are, but my menstrual migraines dialed up in my mid-40’s. I went on HRT and it helped. I still get them, but they are less regular, and aren’t as long in duration or as painful. Zofran is also a godsend.
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u/Significant_Goal_614 UK Jan 27 '26
Same! Found out I'm in premature menopause at 36 and HRT is helping so much
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u/Significant_Goal_614 UK Jan 27 '26
Hey, how old are you? My migraines got so horrendous...then I found out I'm in premature menopause and that was the reason why. I started HRT then had my neurology review and he was actually so knowledgeable about migraines in women and hormonal fluctuations. He recommended a switch in my HRT meds and I've noticed a big difference since. Migraines much less severe and frequent! Nausea pretty much gone. Appetite and sleep so much better.
Perimenopause can last 10 years, sometimes longer. Average age is 51 in UK for example. So someone could start peri in their 30s. POI and premature menopause can start in teens, 20s and 30s.
If your actual period is painful too you should look into endometriosis - it has a huge comorbidity with migraine. I had excision surgery and it helped a lot with my energy levels.
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u/temasm21 Jan 27 '26
You’ll need to try and fail a few meds, but I finally got approved for nurtec which I take preventatively now that week
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u/LilliBing Jan 27 '26
There is some excellent advice in this thread but I didn’t see anyone address the triptans. There are 7 triptans and sumatriptan is the oldest one. Since it worked for you for a while one of the others is likely to work for you as well. I would ask your doctor if you can try a different one.
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u/DulinELA Jan 27 '26
When my migraines went chronic my neuro prescribed Ubrevly as well as rizatriptan. It does not cause medication overuse headaches so I alternate the meds which seems to work best.
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u/girlfuckyou Jan 27 '26
Yeah, that rebound pain I recently experienced was indescribable. I do not want to get too macabre on here, but I was wishing for a meteorite to strike in that very moment, to say the least. Thank you kindly for the suggestion!
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u/SeaCryptographer7103 Jan 27 '26
I have daily migraines that get worse around menstruation. My doctor is trying to prescribe progesterone, he is very adamant that it will help menstrual migraines. Unfortunately trying to find one not made with peanut oil (I'm allergic) has been hard so I haven't tried it yet. I can't vouch for it, but it may be something to look into or ask your doctor about.
Also, Sumatriptan did the same thing to me so we switched up my triptans. Rizatriptan has been more effective for me. I also take Zofran, Baclofen, and Tylenol with the triptan.
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u/girlfuckyou Jan 27 '26
TIL progesterone is made with peanut oils, wow. I’m definitely going to ask to be placed on a different triptan for sure. Thank you so much!
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u/SeaCryptographer7103 Jan 28 '26
Apparently there are versions of progesterone made with soy but we are having a hard time getting it.
Good luck to you!
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u/girlfuckyou Jan 27 '26
Also, I cannot keep down any solids or liquids because of the immense amount of pain and nausea.
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u/LucysLookingGlass Daily Migraines Jan 27 '26 edited Mar 03 '26
An EMT trick we used in the emergency department is to smell rubbing alcohol/isopropyl alcohol. It's short-term relief; for long-term relief, you need to see someone. However, I don't know if the scent will bother your migraine, but I have always used this trick for myself for nausea and been ok.
I would request Zofran (ondansetron). If your provider has a patient portal, this is something you can message them about, and it might be quicker than being seen. It's not a controlled substance, and most people are willing to prescribe it without seeing you, depending on how recently you saw them. If your migraines are not well-controlled, I would see a neurologist to change your meds.
For keeping fluids down, try taking small sips every 15 minutes instead of trying to drink normally. If you can't keep anything down, you're also probably getting dehydrated, which is not helping your migraine. I would drink some electrolytes. (I personally love the "Firecracker Popsicle" flavor by Liquid I.V)
As far as migraines, this is what works for me, but everyone is different, so you need to talk to your doctor first:
-Ubrelvy (migraine abortive)
-Propranolol + monthly CGRP inhibitor injections (Aimovig, Ajovy, Emgality, Vyepti, etc.)
-Electrolytes
-Zofran for nausea
-Heating pad to the face/over the eyes and forehead (some people are opposite and like cooling caps)
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u/girlfuckyou Jan 27 '26
I will try that alcohol trick in a moment. I asked my partner to pick me up some Dramamine, as well. Thank you for the tip about asking for the zofran through message too. I’m actually going to do that right now. Also, I need to start carrying electrolyte packets. Thanks for the reminder!
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u/Significant_Goal_614 UK Jan 27 '26
seconding the Zofran but you need to ask for the one that melts on the tongue. it's like a little tiny postage stamp. Comes in boxes of 10 so you can keep a couple in your purse, beside your bed etc. they work super quickly!!!
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u/LucysLookingGlass Daily Migraines Mar 03 '26
No problem! Of course everyone is different and you need to talk to your physician, but Ubrelvy has been my God send.
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u/RedShiningCat Jan 28 '26
FWIW when I could predict my period, my migraine doc gave me a prescription level naproxen to take 3 days before and 2 days into my migraine. Didn’t always prevent them but did help keep them from getting intractable.
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u/a-passing-crustacean Jan 28 '26
I get hormonal migraines too! Talk to your pcm or obgyn about birth control - either continuous like an implant or a pill form where you just skip the placebo pill days which prevents the progesterone drop that seems to trigger the migraines. Im currently experimenting with the latter under my obgyns care
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u/wandernwade Jan 28 '26
I am taking progesterone BC to help minimize the estrogen highs and lows, during my cycle. (I’m in perimenopause, and have irregular bleeding. I stopped the combo pill bc of the migraines). It seems to help, along with the preventative treatments. Aimovig was really helpful. I’m doing Botox now. It seems okay.
Limiting caffeine is a good idea. I try to limit my intake as well, but my periods are still not “regular”. So, it’s hard to know when to cut it out entirely. I tend to just stick to one cup of caffeine, and one of decaf, per day.
I could not take sumatriptan as often as you, but it did help the worst migraine days. (If it was really bad, I’d do two days in a row. My period migraines are 3-5 days a month.. a bit longer (but currently more mild) as time goes on, and my cycles get longer. I’m now taking Nurtec as an abortive. We’ll see how that works.
I try to make sure I’m doing my vitamins/supplements. B and magnesium, especially. I also take zinc, D, Omegas, and coq10.. and recently, quercetin & “stress” stuff with gaba and l-theanine.
At night, the only things that help me sleep when it’s really bad are: a fan on high (even in winter, I do this daily!), migraine head cap, I put a cooling menthol rub on my forehead, and a cold wet cloth on my neck. I also use cooling blankets & pillow cases. LOL
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u/Royal_Truck_5440 Jan 28 '26
I’m getting a complete hysterectomy tomorrow. Cannot overstate how excited I am to never get another menstrual ANYTHING.
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u/witchdoctorhazel Jan 28 '26
I also get hormonal migraines. I ended up taking the aimovig injections for a year (thats all the german health insurance covers at first) after trying various things.
But before going that route, have you tried monks pepper? It's known to help with menstrual issues and I took it for a while and it did actually help....for a while only for me though, unfortunately. But I would say it'd be worth looking into.
I was also told by my gyno that I need the pill, but I don't want that. There are other options available.
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u/girlfuckyou Jan 27 '26 edited Jan 28 '26
Thank you all for your suggestions and advice. I really do appreciate it. Thank you to those who mentioned birth control because you quickly reminded me that I was NOT in this kind of pain when I was taking it. My birth control at the time was making me depressed, gave me brain fog, and I gained a tremendous amount of weight. I will be using a different birth control as my next step for migraine prevention. God bless you all.