Oestrogen linked to migraines: a significant MtF problem

[Richenda]

There's a growing body of research linking migraines to oestrogen and very much a brain-centred source for them. Migraines are around 3 to 4 x more prevalent in women. Some studies suggest they are actually triggered by a fall in oestrogen: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24792340
But this is not necessarily at variance with the point that both the contraceptive pill and other forms of traditional MtF HRT therapy are known triggers of migraines in females http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3311830/

For MtF's undergoing HRT this can present a serious problem and I'm not sure what the solution is?

I've had migraines for 20 yrs, long before starting any HRT. I know I have a naturally high level of oestrogen: I only need to take HRT for a few days and my nipples go crazy. But the biggest bane of my transition life are the aural migraines, which are just awful. There's no doubt whatsoever that these increase in frequency and intensity when I am on HRT.

Btw, anyone who directs me to a doctor, yep been there, done that and they don't have much clue. And, no, it's nothing else significant: I've had brain MRI's etc. This is oestrogen-related aural migraine.

I feel like this is a bit of a Catch-22 situation. It was one of the reasons I wanted to consider an orchiectomy but I now realise that won't actually stop the migraines because the oestrogen issue will still be in play.

Any thoughts, comments, advice, swapping of notes will be very gratefully received. xx

[JoanneB]

Kick-Ass Super High Octane coffee is my wife's go-to solution when she feels a migraine coming on. Once it's full blown, not much of anything will help.

I do shots so my E goes up and down. Pills, patches, implants will be a steadier source. I can't say I've experienced a relationship between general "my head hurts" days and my shots. Doing my job, my head often explodes. With or w/o E

[Richenda]

Thanks for that tip Joanne, I'll try it out. Also the patches might be better. The trouble is, we start to mimic the naturally occurring female cycles I guess. I'm starting to keep a diary to see if I can spot any patterns.

It's the aural (visual) migraine part that I hate: when the vision goes. Argh!
xx

[jessical]

I have had migraines all my life.  I was super worried that starting HRT would increase the amount of migraines I had.  But I had no change in the frequency of getting them.  I use estradiol patches.

[Richenda]

Thanks Jessica. It does lend some weight to the idea of patches because of their more even supply of oestrogen. Some of the pills have built in oestrogen spikes through a monthly cycle. Food for thought, for sure.

I hate getting aural migraines

[Serenation]

I have been hrt on for over a decade, only started getting migraines since then, when I had to stop hormones before SRS I had migraines EVERY DAY to the point I got put on anti seizure meds. Things seem a bit better now on post op dosages and just getting off these other meds.

I really dislike migraines.

[Richenda]

Thanks for this Serration.

You know, I think it's the one thing which will propel me to full SRS. If that's true for most MtF's i.e. that migraines can cease then I'd be all for it. I mean, unless I can get a means for hormone transition without migraines (patches) then it's a choice between either forgetting the life I want to be or going the full way. That's how horrible the migraines are. I guess you know exactly what I mean from what you've posted? They're horrible, horrible, things.

I wonder if an orchie helps them. I think the science on migraines is only just emerging too, but then we still don't really understand the brain.

[Martine A.]

What I felt as a kid matches how migraines are described. But my pain ended with leaving parents' home. I link it to my father's heavy smoking that disturbed every other person living there anyway.

Still to see if they will return. It is long way for me before hrt.

[Richenda]

Yes I meant to add actually Martine that there are lots of different triggers for migraines: chocolate, light, spicy food, cheese, dehydration, stress (definitely) etc. I think the link to oestrogen is something that is now being widely recognised in scientific studies and hence the greater prevalence amongst females.

The link to smoking's interesting. My dad was also a very heavy smoker in the house. That would make for an interesting study.

There are also different kinds of migraine. I don't get splitting headaches, although they sometimes come after. It's the classic aural migraine (visual disturbance) and associated issues like nausea, even loss of speech and being totally wiped out, sometimes for up to a week, which is so awful. They are just horrible things

I honestly think if I can have surgery to help stop migraines it's a huge extra factor for me.

xx

[Martine A.]

At least I can be certain it will not be inherited. A coincidence none of direct female family members have ever complained of migraines. And I have met some joined female family members that would mention them every now and then.

I can hope to be lucky.

[Kylo]

...What happened to my posts in this topic...? :/

[Richenda]

I was wondering the same thing. I came on here to read them and there was nothing there. Was it connected to the site outage yesterday? Actually, my reply to yours has gone too!

[.Christy]

i used to never get migraines pre-hrt but after a few months now i've started getting them here and there.