Are you one of the estimated 40 million Americans who suffer from chronic headaches? Headaches are one of the leading causes of missed work or school. Maybe you’ve tried every over the counter remedy and even stronger prescriptions, but you still suffer. It may be connected to a hormone imbalance.
Women who experience hormonal fluctuations often suffer with headaches or migraines just prior to the onset of menses, when there is a natural drop in progesterone levels.
But headaches may also occur at ovulation, when estrogen and other hormones spike, or during menses itself, when estrogen and progesterone have bottomed out.
You guessed it; the same hormones that give us cramps, breast tenderness, mood swings and those unstoppable chocolate cravings will also cause headaches.
Hormonal headaches can come on suddenly in perimenopause or at menopause, when a woman’s hormones are really shifting. It can be frightening for women who have never experienced headaches to suddenly suffer with them regularly.
You should be aware that most headaches involve many different factors and may have overlapping triggers. I’ve helped many women unmask the cause of their migraines. If you are having chronic headaches or even migraines take a look at your body care products. Many “fragrances” can trigger a headache. Fragrances in your soap, lotions, shampoo and perfume are loaded with chemicals.
Artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame are known to cause migraines. Other artificial sweeteners included Sucralose and Acesculfame Potassium, often abbreviated ACE-K. Look for these in any food labeled “Sugar Free” or “Lite.” And one place most people forget to look is in their gums and mints.
You will also want to avoid artificial food dyes. They include Blue, Red and Yellow.
If you suspect that your headaches are triggered by hormones, a saliva test can give you a snapshot of what your levels actually look like.
If chronic headaches are affecting your quality of life, you do have options. As a holistic nutritionist, I offer a very simple and accurate saliva test, which, when analyzed by the lab, produces a clear picture of what’s going on. If a problem is identified, I then work with my clients on an individual basis to balance their system, not with drugs, but naturally. Sometimes adjustments are as simple as slight changes in diet and lifestyle. Other times, it’s a little more involved. Either way, the end result can be life changing. Begin achieving balance in your life.
Karen Roth, MS, NC holds a Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition from Hawthorn University and is author, active member of the National Association of Nutritional Professionals, the American Holistic Health Association and the Menopause Type Network®.
To learn more about safe and natural options for alleviating symptoms of hormone imbalance, and other health conditions, visit www.karenrothnutrition.com
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