Headaches are one of the most common conditions people experience at least once in their lifetime. They may go away on their own or interfere with your daily activities, causing much discomfort.

In the U.S. alone, 28 million people get headaches, among which 21 million are women, compared to 7 million men. It seems unfair, right? The thing is that women often get hormone-related headaches due to natural hormone fluctuations that occur in their bodies every month.

According to a study from the American Headache Society, people tend to have migraines between the ages 25-55, but in fact, headaches can occur at any age.

In women, headache is a frequently reported side effect of hormonal contraception and a main reason why birth control is stopped. According to the World Health Organization and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, hormonal contraception may be prescribed to ladies with migraine headaches only if they don’t experience aura, don’t smoke, are younger than 35, and are otherwise healthy.

What can you do when you have a headache?

First of all don’t panic.

• Relax with deep breathing, listening to calm music, or going out to get some fresh air.

• Gently rub your neck and temples to soothe tension headaches.

• Warm your neck a bit by putting a warm compress around it.

3 simple tricks to prevent headaches:

1. Try to avoid stress, noisy environments, and people. Stress may lead to migraines, so it’s better to prevent it than to treat it.
2. What you eat also matters, as headaches may be related to low sugar or too much caffeine. Limit alcohol, cigarettes, and coffee to reduce the risks of headaches. Don’t skip breakfast and eat all your daily meals.  
3. Sleep hygiene plays an important role, so you should get enough sleep and sleep in a comfortable position. Gently stretch every morning, so your body has good blood flow.

If you have persistent headaches or migraines, speak to your doctor about treatment options.

Sources:

Migraine is a women’s health issue, Migraine Research Foundation

Epidemiology and Impact of Headache and Migraine, American Headache Society