Finding Help for Monthly Menstrual Migraines

Menstrual migraines were studied in 155 women, and the results were quite interesting. It was noted that a migraine was 2.5 times more likely to happen during the first 3 days of a woman’s cycle. Also, the intensity of migraines was 3.4 times worse during the time that a woman was menstruating. Why do these types of migraines occur?

A decrease in estrogen occurs with menstruation. A menstrual migraine happens when the body cannot adapt to the drop in estrogen, often due to the estrogen levels dropping too rapidly or going too low. Medicine is available that can help regulate these hormone changes. However, more and more women are looking for a way to care for their migraines naturally.

Proper Spinal Alignment and Menstrual Migraines

The spine acts as a protector for the spinal cord. In turn, the spinal cord is vital to the body functioning properly. Messages from the brain travel to the body and vice versa via the spinal cord. Therefore, if the top bone of the neck – the C1 or atlas vertebra – is out of alignment, it can place pressure on the brainstem. This interferes with the central nervous system and causes improper signals to be sent. It can affect the amount of estrogen that is produced resulting in a migraine occurring during menstruation.

A case study was published involving a 16-year-old who was having chronic migraine headaches. Her migraines were so severe, she was having them 1 -2 times a week, and they were lasting up to 3 hours. She began getting care from an upper cervical chiropractor. After just 5 atlas adjustments, she saw a decrease in the duration and the number of migraines. She then reported only having mild migraines no more than 4 times a month.

As an upper cervical chiropractor, I use a gentle method to help the bones of the neck to realign in a natural way without popping or cracking the spine. This is often all that is needed to restore proper communication between the body and brain, bringing a decrease in or relief from menstrual migraines.

About the Author

Dr. Geoff Besso, DC, DCCJP

Besso Clinic of Chiropractic

Dr. Geoff Besso graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Clemson University. Following his bachelor’s degree he enrolled at the prestigious Life University in Atlanta, Georgia. After a four year intensive program, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree in 2002. He became an upper cervical chiropractor in Stow in 2005. Dr. Besso and his wife, Amy Besso, DC, opened their practice in Stow, Ohio, in 2005 and have been blessed to help thousands of patients with conditions ranging from Fibromyalgia to Migraine Headaches to Meniere’s Disease.