What causes migraines in females

Symptoms There are two types of sex headaches: • A dull ache in the head and neck that intensifies as sexual excitement increases • A sudden, severe, throbbing headache that occurs just before or at the moment of orgasm In some people, both types of headaches are combined. Most sex headaches last at least several minutes. Others may linger for hours or even 2 to 3 days. Many people who have sex headaches will experience them in clusters over a few months, and then they may go for a year or more without having any. Up to half of all people with sex headaches experience them over the course of about six months. Some people may only have one attack during their lives. When to see a doctor Sex headaches aren't usually a cause for concern. But consult your health care provider right away if you experience a headache during sexual activity — especially if it begins abruptly or it's your first headache of this type. Causes Any type of sexual activity that leads to orgasm can trigger sex headaches. Abrupt-onset and slow-to-build sex headaches can be primary headache disorders not associated with any underlying condition. Sex headaches that come on suddenly are more likely to be associated with: • A widening or bubble in the wall of an artery inside your head (intracranial aneurysm) • An irregular connection between arteries and veins in the brain (arteriovenous malformation) that bleeds into the spinal fluid-filled space in and around the brain • Bleeding into the wall of an arter...

Migraine can affect anyone, but it is more common in females. Compared with males, females are three to four times more likely to experience migraine. This statistic comes from a paper in the journal The reasons that migraine is more common in females are not entirely clear. That said, scientists believe that it may have something to do with hormonal fluctuations that take place during the menstrual cycle. However, migraine is a complex condition, and it does not have a single cause. Hormonal changes may be one of many factors that contribute to a migraine episode. This article explores the causes of migraine in females, the link between migraine and hormones, and Share on Pinterest Paul Schlemmer/Stocksy Migraine is a complex neurological condition that causes episodes of head pain. These episodes are sometimes accompanied by other symptoms, such as Around with migraine also experience aura, which refers to temporary sensory disturbances that occur before the headache. Previously, scientists thought migraine resulted from the dilation of blood vessels in the head, creating pressure and pain. Now, they know that this is not the case. Research suggests that migraine occurs due to a cascade of changes that take place in the nervous system and brain, which can begin up to 3 days before the headache itself. One Then, in the headache phase, the trigeminovascular system activates. This system includes the trigeminal nerve. This nerve reaches around the side of the head, includin...

When a bad headache strikes, you just want it to end. The aching, throbbing pain can be debilitating and result in missed appointments, work, or time with family and friends. Regardless of whether you are prone to migraines, tension headaches, or cluster headaches (see " Stress Stress can cause tight muscles in the shoulders and neck, which often leads to tension headaches. "It's believed to start in the muscles. When tension headaches become frequent, the pain in shoulder and neck muscles is felt by the brain as pain in the head," says Dr. Sait Ashina, a neurologist who specializes in headache treatment at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Stress is also a common trigger for migraines. Diet Hunger itself can trigger a migraine or tension headache. But eating certain foods may trigger migraines. It could be just one type of food — like beans or nuts — or many foods, such as avocados, bananas, cheese, chocolate, citrus, herring, dairy products, and onions. "Processed foods with nitrites, nitrates, yellow food dyes, or monosodium glutamate can be especially problematic," Dr. Ashina notes. Alcohol intake Alcohol is a common cause of migraine and cluster headaches. For some people, a few ounces of red wine are all it takes to provoke a headache, although any kind of alcohol can be a trigger. It's not clear if the alcohol itself is to blame or if another component in the drink causes the problem. Environment "Cluster headaches seem to be seasonal and ofte...

The exact cause of migraines is unknown. Researchers think that migraine occurs because of an increase in the level of neurotransmitters, chemicals that send messages among the brain cells, in the brain. A About 25% of people with Migraines can occur at any time of the day, although in many cases they start in the morning. The pain may last for a few hours or up to one to two days. The frequency of a migraine attack varies from individual to individual. In some, it may occur once or twice a week, whereas, in others, it may occur once or twice a year. Migraine significantly diminishes a person’s quality of life. Migraine is the third most prevalent disease and affects about one billion people worldwide. What causes migraines in females? The exact cause of migraines is unknown. Researchers think that migraine occurs because of an increase in the level of neurotransmitters, chemicals that send messages among the brain cells, in the brain. This increase in neurotransmitters is believed to create overactive nerve cells, which in turn send signals to the trigeminal nerve that is responsible for the sensation in the head and face. Activation of the trigeminal nerve leads to the release of a set of chemicals that cause the blood vessels to swell and pain. People with migraines react to a variety of factors and events, known as triggers. A combination of triggers may set off an attack. Some common triggers include: • Genetics • Hormones • Medications • • Foods and • Aged cheese • •...

Migraine is a chronic neurological condition that affects It has a variety of symptoms, most notably severe headache pain. But a migraine episode is so much more than just a bad headache. The symptoms vary from person to person but can include: • intense headache pain • nausea • vomiting • sensitivity to sounds • sensitivity to smells • sensitivity to light • changes in vision Migraine can be episodic or chronic. If you experience migraine pain on If you experience the pain on 15 days a month or more and have other migraine symptoms on most of these days, doctors consider it chronic migraine. Experts believe that certain factors can trigger a migraine episode. The best way to prevent migraine episodes is to avoid their triggers. These can vary from person to person, and most people with migraine have several triggers. Often, foods and drinks are involved, including: • alcohol, especially red wine • cheese and other dairy products • chocolate • coffee • cured meats • any foods that have a strong smell • preservatives and sweeteners, such as aspartame, monosodium glutamate, which is better known as MSG, and nitrates, which are often in processed meats Other common triggers include: • Skipping meals. Missing meals altogether or not eating proper meals can lead to a migraine attack. • Exercise. An intense workout session may trigger a migraine episode, especially if you haven’t been active in a while. • Dehydration. For some, even the slightest dehydration can bring on a migra...

Primary headaches A primary headache is caused by overactivity of or problems with pain-sensitive structures in your head. A primary headache isn't a symptom of an underlying disease. Chemical activity in your brain, the nerves or blood vessels surrounding your skull, or the muscles of your head and neck (or some combination of these factors) can play a role in primary headaches. Some people may also carry genes that make them more likely to develop such headaches. The most common primary headaches are: • • • • • Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC), such as cluster headache and paroxysmal hemicrania A few headache patterns also are generally considered types of primary headache, but are less common. These headaches have distinct features, such as an unusual duration or pain associated with a certain activity. Although generally considered primary, each could be a symptom of an underlying disease. They include: • • • • Some primary headaches can be triggered by lifestyle factors, including: • Alcohol, particularly red wine • Certain foods, such as processed meats that contain nitrates • Changes in sleep or lack of sleep • Poor posture • Skipped meals • Stress Secondary headaches A secondary headache is a symptom of a disease that can activate the pain-sensitive nerves of the head. Any number of conditions — varying greatly in severity — may cause secondary headaches. Possible causes of secondary headaches include: • • Arterial tears (carotid or vertebral dissections) • B...