The Connection Between Headaches and Hormones

Headaches have many possible causes, from dehydration to fatigue to stress. In some cases, headaches are a symptom of fluctuating hormones. 

Read on to learn more about how hormone levels influence headaches and what you can do to achieve hormonal balance. 

How Can Hormones Cause Headaches?

Women primarily experience hormone-related headaches from menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, or hormonal birth control. This comes down to estrogen, the primary female sex hormone. 

Headaches Before Menstruation

Fluctuating estrogen levels can trigger or worsen headaches. This is why many women experience headaches as a symptom of PMS (premenstrual syndrome), as estrogen levels suddenly drop before menstruation. 

Hormonal Birth Control

Hormonal birth control can improve or worsen headaches, depending on the person. For some, birth control reduces low estrogen levels before menstruation, preventing headaches. Others experience more severe headaches, particularly in the first month of taking birth control. 

Headaches During Pregnancy

Many women experience headaches at various stages of pregnancy as estrogen levels change. Stress and fatigue often exacerbate hormone-related headaches in pregnancy. 

Headaches During Menopause

Around menopause, as estrogen levels gradually decrease, many women experience headaches. Women approaching menopause may have more frequent or severe headaches than usual (including migraines, in some women). 

Headaches from Thyroid Disorders

In addition to estrogen, thyroid hormones can contribute to headaches. Headaches are a common symptom of hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid. Headaches from hypothyroidism can be dull and throbbing and usually affect both sides of the head. 

How to Alleviate Hormonal Headaches

If you’re struggling with frequent headaches, talk to your Tampa doctor. Hormonal headaches from hypothyroidism can be managed holistically with a well-rounded treatment plan. If low estrogen levels are to blame, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) may be an effective treatment option. In replacing the estrogen that diminishes with age, BHRT can alleviate headaches and other menopause symptoms. 

Not all headaches are caused by hormones; stress and nutrient deficiencies are other common culprits. With a range of holistic treatments including therapeutic yoga and IV nutritional therapy, we can help you overcome chronic headaches, no matter the cause.  

Schedule an appointment at Mind Body Spirit Care today to get on the path to relief from hormonal headaches.