Migraines are an incredibly debilitating symptom. What’s it all about, is there a link with the menopause transition and if so, what can we do about it?

To help us make sense of everything we were delighted to be joined by Professor Anne MacGregor who specialises in headaches & migraines, alongside women’s health. During this episode Anne dispels myths and misinformation, breaks everything down into factual, relatable nuggets of information providing anyone listening with practical and logical ways to manage this symptom.

A perimenopausal headache is debilitating enough but a migraine is quite a different matter, leaving you feeling like you’ve been ‘run through a mangle’…has to be the quote of the series! If you’re postmenopausal don’t worry that’s covered too.

Did you know there’s more than one type? We cover migraines with aura, migraines without aura and then a migraine aura without a headache…I know, there’s a bit of a range. Being completely unpredictable, they can result in people not being able to function properly, can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting and then there’s raised sensitivity to your bodies senses usually followed by feeling absolutely wiped out.

Anne and Heather clarify what’s happening to your hormone levels during the perimenopause – back to the hormonal storm going on, with wonky hormones, and spiking hormones creating havoc. Unsurprisingly migraines are roughly three times more common in women than men!

So, how do you cope with them…if you’re struggling with these symptoms this is really worth a listen.

Anne covers lifestyle factors, highlighting how the brain reacts to these whilst knocking a few myths on the head. Interestingly, did you know migraines are linked to gut dysfunction? Heather and Anne also clarify the facts about the pros and cons of using HRT or the combined contraception pill to help manage symptoms.

We touch on alternative, over the counter options and end with one of the most effective ways to manage this symptom…yes you’ll have to listen to find out!

As always please share the link of our podcast to friends, family and colleagues who you know might find the topics we cover not only relevant but interesting. Thank you.

Special Guest: Professor Anne MacGregor

Anne is a Specialist in Headache and Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare. She has a clinical NHS post at the Centre for Reproductive Medicine, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, and an academic post in Neuroscience at Queen Mary, University of London. Her research and clinical work bridges neurology and reproductive healthcare and her Doctoral thesis explored the role of oestrogen in menstrual migraine. She has received the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Award, awarded to a woman whose work over time has made an extraordinary contribution to those affected by the burden of headache, the International Headache Society Special Recognition Award, and the 2022 American Headache Society Women’s Health Science Award.

Audio engineer & Assistant producer: Gregor Reid 

Useful links & resources:

• National Migraine Centre https://www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk/ 
• Migraine Trust https://migrainetrust.org/
• Women’s Health concern : www.womens-health-concern.org/help-and-advice/factsheets https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/18-WHC-FACTSHEET-Migraine-and-HRT-NOV2023-B.pdf
• British Menopause society: thebms.org.uk/publications/tools-for-clinicians
• Menopause Matters : www.menopausematters.co.uk
• Let’s Talk Menopause : www.letstalkmenopause.co.uk
• NHS inform: www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/womens-health

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