If you get headaches around your period, you've probably wondered: is this just a regular headache, or is it something more intense? While both hormonal headaches and menstrual migraines are caused by fluctuating hormones, they're not exactly the same thing.

What's a Hormonal Headache?

A hormonal headache is usually mild to moderate. Think a nagging ache or throb that's annoying and uncomfortable. It's definitely not fun, but you can probably still get through your day. You might pop some ibuprofen and push through classes, work, or hanging out with friends.

These headaches happen because of the natural hormone fluctuations during your cycle, especially the drop in estrogen right before your period starts.

What's a Menstrual Migraine?

A menstrual migraine is a whole different level. According to the National Headache Foundation, menstrual migraines affect about 60% of women, so if you experience them, you're definitely not alone.

If you already deal with regular migraine attacks, you're more likely to experience menstrual migraines too. The key difference? These migraines are tied specifically to your cycle and can be seriously debilitating.

Here's what sets a menstrual migraine apart:

The pain is intense
We're talking severe throbbing that can start on one side of your forehead and travel to the other. The pain can make it difficult to keep your eyes open, focus on anything, work, or even think clearly.

It's tied to your cycle
Menstrual migraines usually show up right before or during your period when estrogen levels drop.

How to Tell Which One You Have

The main difference comes down to severity and how much it affects your daily life:

• Hormonal headache: Uncomfortable but manageable. You can still function, even if you're not feeling great.
• Menstrual migraine: Debilitating. You might need to cancel plans, skip school or work, and lie down in a dark room until it passes.

If you're tracking your symptoms in the Aavia app, pay attention to the timing and severity of your headaches. If they consistently show up around your period and are intense enough to disrupt your life, you're probably dealing with menstrual migraines.

What Helps

For hormonal headaches, over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen usually do the trick. Staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and managing stress can also help.

For menstrual migraines, you might need something stronger. Talk to your doctor about:

• Prescription migraine medications
• Preventive treatments
• Hormonal birth control to help stabilize hormone fluctuations
• Lifestyle changes that can reduce migraine triggers

When to See a Doctor

If your headaches or migraines are getting worse, happening more frequently, or seriously affecting your quality of life, it's time to talk to a doctor. You don't have to just deal with the pain. There are treatments that can help 🙏

Bring your symptom tracker (like Aavia!) with you to your appointment. Having a record of when headaches happen, how severe they are, and what helps (or doesn't) can make a huge difference in getting the right treatment.

You deserve to feel good during your entire cycle, not just the weeks when your period isn't around. 💜