migranes and ovaries

I don't have any answers but a question. I get my migraines when I get my period. I think it is because my estrogen levels go out of wack when I do not take my bc pills. Does anyone have any advise being as I will not get my period anymore after surgery. Will I get headaches everyday.
Jeanette

My gyn told me that the headaches come as a result of fluctuation in hormone levels. If you are keeping your ovaries theoretically you would get a migraine when you hormone levels change each month.

I also went to a headache seminar once that compared a headache to a stream with tributaries. If you think of the tributaries being the different triggers of your migraine. If you know that the time of the month is coming when you should be getting a hormone change you can adjust the other triggers. For example, sleep, sugar, stress, any other food factors, etc.

I hope this helps.

When I was in my late 30s I started having a migraine once a month. I did a bunch of research and ended up talking to the Women's Pharmacy in Madison WI. I kept a log of my symptoms and sure enough, it happened when I was ovulating. I started taking micronized progesterone 3 weeks out of the month, and they went away completely. I discontinued the progest. after about a year or so, and still didn't get them. Then I went on the pill to try and control the bleeding and cramps, and bang, here come the migraines again, one after the other this time. So, I couldn't take the pill that's for sure. I tried again a few years later thinking a different dose would be OK, but no, migraines again. I have been migraine free since the hyst and I have my ovaries.

That is very encouraging news! My doctor said that there was a possibility that getting the uterus out alone would help with the headaches......that would be wonderful. I just want to give my body a rest from all the artificial hormones. I have had four lupron shots also and add back estrogen. The migraines have gotten less severe, but not necessarily less in frequency. I still feel that the positive effects of keeping the ovaries outweighs the negative posibilities of migraines. Am I crazy or what?

Hormones are just such a delicate balance! Everyone is different and our personal levels vary all throughout the day and at different stages in our lives. Scientist have even recently discovered that the uterus produces hormones also.

As kritsone's story just illustrates, hormones can cause all kinds of changes in our bodies. This is EXACTLY the reason I believe women should consult with fertility endocrinologist before they make any final decisions on hysterectomy. Things are changing SO MUCH and scientist are making great progress in women's health. The problem is that when they make the new discoveries and "cures" it takes an average of 15-20 YEARS to trickle down into common practice. Before making final decisions, we should search out the experts who are on the forefront and use all new information available to make informed decisions.

(Wish someone had said this to me four years ago.)

I'm really sorry, Lucille, that you have had such a horrible experience with your hysterectomy.

My doctor has told me up front that he can give me no promises either way as far as the migraines go and that is not why I am having the surgery. I have fibroids, a polyp and a cyst resulting in pain and bleeding issues. The reason that I said the things I did in response to Kristone is that I have been on some form of bcp for practically all of my adult life in addition to the Lupron shots. I have had to make a decision regarding the removal of my ovaries. My doctor is leaning toward removing them so that he can control the amount of hormone I am getting with regard to my migraines. I would rather take the chance on getting the migraines and give my body a rest from the artificial hormones. Kritsones post was an encouragement to me that someone who had their ovaries had relief from migraines. I realize that I may not have the same outcome, but it was encouraging to me nonetheless. It gave me hope.

Simcha,

Thank you.

If you have the surgery, I hope it relieves your migrains as a bonus. That would sure be nice.

Something else you said caught my eye, you said you've been on bc nearly all your life. I read some new reports where they this bc is the opposite of what the drs should be doing for fibroids and excessive bleeding. There are some drs who are treating the fibroids with hormones (not bc pills). The natural hormones (bio-identical) are not the same as the artificial ones.

This is where the fertility endocrinologist come in. They are gynecologist who know about ALL the hormones a woman produces. They're kind of hard to find but I know some women who were really helped. This is the kind of doctor who has saved me since my TAH/BSO and is helping me get back in balance. He works with my cardiologist closely and I'm finally getting some good blood test back.

I tell every woman I can, "hang onto those ovaries, honey!" If at all possible!

Thank you so much, Lucille, for your input.

I just looked up reproductive endocrinologists in a search on the internet and the closest ones are two hours away. I guess that is not too bad. I did try to go to a natural doctor two years ago and the bleeding and cramping was so bad and my ovulating so off that I didn't stick with it for long. (We are fortunate to have a doctor in the area who deals with natural hormones). I'm sure you know how much one just wants all this to be over with, but then if there are complications it isn't overwith is it? You definitely have given me something to think and pray about. I had already made the decision to keep the ovaries and this has been confirmed to me over and over again.

I told my gyno about my reaction to bc pills (migraines) and he said "it's the estrogen". Given that I'd decided to have the hyster, I didn't go into it further. That's probably why progesterone helped me so much, counterbalanced overabundance of estrogen one gets when they are in perimenopause.

Regarding the ovaries, I agonized over my decision because I have two friends my age (48) that had hysts in the last couple of years who had healthy ovaries removed. Their explanations were "I don't want PMS anymore, and I can control everything with artifical hormones". I didn't like that answer, seemed to simplistic. I also don't like to take meds if I don't have to!! Why pay the pharm. companies for something I can make with my own body. I read with interest another thread just recently where some sisters were really regretting removing their ovaries because they were showing signs of heart disease and osteoporosis. If I had to make a choice I guess I'd take the migraines over heart disease. Hopefully, you won't have to make that choice and you can find an answer another way, through augmenting your progesterone, or whatever it takes.

I also go to a chiropracter regularly, don't know if that has any affect or not. Just thought I'd mention it. They claim to be able to cure migraines.

I have suffered during PMS monthly and an occasional ovulation migraine. I have tracked them for over 5 years. I am not triggered by anything else, not food, stress or even wine.
I have tried hormonal supplements, 3 neurological medications, and of course Imitrex. After being totally disabled for 10 days, after 7 days of Imitrex, and 2 shots of demerol and phenergan I was sent to have an ultrasound before I saw the Obgyn.
Good news, my ovaries are as the dr claimed "spectacular", oh great, I am 48 and still ovulating. Well that explains the headaches.
Unfortunately I have to have a TAH due to a growth in my uterus, and a cyst on my ovary. It does not have the typical signs of cancer, but a biopsy will be done this Wednesday, Oct 6.
My specialist thinks with my history, I should be migraine free and since I am 48 years old, I will not have any problems with other issues if I am careful. I could be a few months to a several years away from menopause, but I cannot take another 7 years of these headaches monthly if it is as long as my mother took.
My mother and sister had hormonal migraines. My mother's ended with menopause, and my sister is losing hers with her irregular cycles. So, I agree, we all have different stories and outcomes. I hope we all lose them, they are just down right awful.
Mary Kay