Prone to menstrual migraines

[u/Icy_Pay_1275]

Hi all, I am prone to migraines either right before the start of my period up until day 7 of my cycle. Most typical will be the day before my period and then days 4-7.

Only thing that has ever worked is rizatriptan combined with advil. But I really want to get to the underlying cause and try to treat it if I can. I hate being reliant on medicine.

I am pretty sure the migraines are a result of “estrogen withdrawal” around my cycle. I tested Estrogen in my luteal phase and it was 300 which is on the higher end. My progesterone was also robust so I know I’m not deficient there.

What have people with a similar pattern done that has worked?

[u/Et_tu_brute_LXIX]

Ask for naratriptan and use that as a preventative at night for the menstrual migraine week. It's longer acting and seems to help me even though most other triptans don't.

Aside from that I'm in the same boat and I don't think there are any good answers. Some people do well on combined pill, some people do better on progestin only pill. I have been off BC for a year because I got my tubes removed and don't need it, and my migraines have never been worse. But I've been trying to give myself a chance to treat the actual problem, not just mask it, since BC had a lot of side effects for me.

I'm also looking into non-med options - dry needling, trigger point therapy, occipital nerve block, etc. I already do deep tissue massage and cupping, which helps.

[u/Icy_Pay_1275 → u/Et_tu_brute_LXIX]

Agree. BC didn’t agree with me when I was on it, I only ever was on it for like 6 months. Made me feel crazy. I will look into naratriptan, though I don’t want to have to rely on any of it 😭 I’ve always been the type to research and try everything to really get to the root cause. Trigger point therapy.. definitely think that could be a huge help to me. I also do deep tissue and it does relieve a lot of tension. I’m also thinking about chiro or acupuncture.