Menopause refers to the end of menstrual cycles in a female’s life that occurs as a part of the natural aging process. A female is said to have attained menopause when no menses have occurred for consecutive 12 months together. It occurs between ages 45 to 55 yrs. A woman tends to face different health issues during menopause. One might have commonly heard of issues like hot flashes, emotional disturbance, mood changes, hair loss and weight gain during menopause. Headache could also be one of the concerns that many women complain of during menopause. Not every woman has headache during menopause. However, in some women who have hormonal headaches prior to menopause may feel relief in headache during menopause in terms of frequency or intensity. The reason behind headache during menopause is the hormonal changes taking place. The hormone affected includes estrogen and progesterone. Along with headache, some other symptoms might attend like nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, feeling of a band around the head, some strange sensations in the head, dizziness and fatigue. It may also lead to sleep issues, depressed feeling and anxiety. Women suffering from migraine (i.e. one sided headache often accompanied with nausea and vomiting and sensitivity to light, smell, noise) or tension headache (this type of headache is linked with stress and is characterized by a tight feeling in the forehead and back of the head) may find that their headache gets worse around menopause.
Homeopathic Management
Homeopathic medicines are highly effective in managing headache during menopause. Made from natural substances, these medicines are free from any sort of side effects. These medicine help to gradually decrease the intensity and frequency of headache during menopause. Other associated complaints of menopause like heat flashes, weight gain, mood changes and hair loss are also wonderfully managed with these medicines. Homeopathic medicines for managing headache are selected based on individual symptoms in each and every case. Though it is safe to use homeopathic medicines, it is advised to consult a homeopathic physician prior to taking any of the homeopathic medicines for treating headache.
Top Homeopathic Medicines For Headache During Menopause
1. Sepia – Top Remedy
Sepia is the topmost medicine to manage headache during menopause. In cases needing Sepia, headache may be attended with nausea and vomiting. There is bursting type of headache as if the head would burst and the eyes would come out. It gets worse from any kind of movement and stooping. Headache may get better after taking meals. Heaviness and coldness may be felt on the top of the head. Not just headache, this medicine is best suited to manage other concerns during menopause as well, like hot flashes, hair thinning, weight gain and vaginal dryness.
2. Lachesis – For Pain On The Top Of Head
Lachesis is a highly effective medicine to manage headache that occurs on the top of the head i.e. the vertex. Along with this, a pressure/weight sensation and burning heat is felt on the top of the head. It is also useful to manage a throbbing sensation that occurs on the sides of the head i.e. temporal region. It also feels as if blood has rushed to the head. In some cases, headache may be attended with dimness of vision or flickering in front of the eyes. Pain may be one-sided, the left side is especially affected. Sometimes pain from the head may extend to the neck and shoulders. Hot flashes are quite prominent along with headache. There may be sleeplessness too.
3. Glonoine – For Throbbing Headache
This medicine is recommended to manage throbbing (to pulsate with force rapidly) pain in the head. Besides, there is a feeling of rush of blood to the head causing congestion and sensation as if the head would burst. There also occurs a feeling as if the eyes will protrude out of the sockets. Pain gets worse from walking and shaking the head. There is relief by sleeping. Hot flashes are felt on the head and face. Nausea and vomiting may accompany headache. A weight is also felt on the top of the head. Vertigo may occur along with headache.
4. Sanguinaria Can – For Right-Sided Headache
This medicine is beneficial for managing right-sided headache. In cases requiring it, pain begins in the back of head, then goes upwards and finally settles over the right eye. Headache gets better by vomiting, and taking a good sleep. If headache occurs periodically, means at fixed interval after every 7 days, then this medicine in particular is very helpful. Along with headache, burning sensation in the hands and the soles of feet may be present.
5. Amylenum Nitrosum – For Left-Sided Headache
This medicine is indicated to manage left-sided headache. Throbbing is felt in the head. It seems blood has rushed to the head and face causing marked redness on the face. There is a feeling as if the head would burst. Hot flashes are a prominent indication where this medicine is required. Hot flashes are followed by excessive sweating and cold skin.
6. Cyclamen – For Continuous Sort Of Headache
This medicine is helpful in females experiencing continuous pain in the head. Headache is accompanied with nausea. Vertigo may also occur. Vomiting occurs almost every day that relieves the headache. Though pain may be felt on any region of the head but is worse on the left side. Headache gets worse by movement and in open air. This medicine is also indicated for headache occurring in the morning attended with flickering (to flash on and off) in front of the eyes.
7. Ferrum Met – With Feeling Of A Band Around The Head
This medicine can be used when there is headache and a feeling of a band around the head. The pain is pulsating type in cases needing it. There is a heated sensation in the head. Flashes of heat are also felt in the face. The pain from the head may radiate to teeth. Stinging sensation can be felt in the head. Headache may last for two-three days in cases needing it. This medicine is also indicated for dull pain in the forehead that spreads to the top of the head. It gets better by applying pressure with hands on the head.
8. Strontium Carb – For Pain In The Neck Neck Spreading Upwards
This medicine is selected when pain begins from the neck and then spreads upwards. It is relieved by wrapping the head warmly. The pain from head may go to the upper jaw along with nausea and vertigo. Flashes of heat are felt. Excessive sweating occurs at night.
9. Crocus Sativus – For Headache With Pressure In Eyes
Crocus Sativus is of great use when headache is accompanied by pressure in the eyes. Burning is also felt in the eyes. The pain is throbbing, pulsating in nature. It is felt in different parts of the head. Headache gets better by applying pressure over the head. The blood vessels of the head feel dilated. The headache may disturb sleep as well.
10. Theridion – For Headache With Nausea And Vomiting
Theridion is prominently indicated to manage headache with nausea and vomiting. The pain is mostly felt in the forehead that may extend to back of the head. A pressure is felt behind the eyes. Heat is felt inside the head along with the above symptoms.