Srilekha is in college. She dreads getting her periods because it means that she will suffer from an intense headache a day before she gets her menses. Subbulakshmi carries her inhaler in her bag around the time of her periods because she knows her asthma will get aggravated.

Why do periods precipitate problems?

Just before the period starts, the blood levels of estrogen and progesterone drop in the body. This can trigger off several reactions which may aggravate a problem that does not seem to be so intense at other times. Migraine, asthma, epilepsy and vaginal yeast infections are some conditions that can be aggravated just before the period. This may also happen in the middle of the cycle, when ovulation occurs and the level of estrogen drops abruptly.

Asthma attacks and periods

It is common for women to experience worsening of asthma symptoms when the menstrual period begins.

Coping with asthma attacks during periods
Most women will be able to cope with their asthma attacks once they see the connection with their periods. They just have to make sure that they use their inhalers more frequently close to their periods and also take any oral medication prescribed to them specifically at this time. It is also smart to lose weight (if overweight) and avoid other trigger factors like dust and smoke.

Migraine and periods

Migraines are intense headaches that occur periodically and are accompanied by nausea, eye pain, dizziness and sometimes, inability to function normally. They may be one-sided or may feel like a band of pain encircling the head. Migraines affect women much more than men.

Migraine sufferers know that the headaches are more frequently experienced just days before or during menstruation. In fact, studies have shown that approximately 60 percent of women who experience migraines tend to have the attacks close to their monthly menstrual periods. Menstrual migraines typically begin between two days before and one day after the start of a woman's period. This association can be used to an advantage because migraine sufferers can prepare themselves and cut short the duration and severity, if not completely prevent, the attack.

Migraine attacks may also occur mid-way in the menstrual cycle, at the time of ovulation when there is less estrogen in the blood.

Coping with migraine associated with periods

Some women have triggers like salty food, chocolates and sweets that can bring on migraine. It is better to avoid these, especially before the period.

Triptans are a class of drugs that work directly to reduce the pain of migraines. They reduce inflammation of certain blood vessels in the brain thought to cause pain and block the release of irritating chemicals in the nerve endings. Women who have menstrual migraines can ask their physician if a triptan can be taken from two days before their period starts to two days after and see if it makes a difference.