Headaches and menstruation
Headaches in women are related to changes in the levels of female hormones during a menstrual cycle. The headaches can be one-sided or two-sided and in various durations, they may also accompanied symptoms like vomiting, no appetite, general weakness and paleness.
TCM holds that during or around menstruation, the body's conception vessel and thoroughfare vessel are exuberant and flushed with abundant qi and blood, the excessive qi and blood will empty into the uterus and produce regular menses. Meanwhile, the blood and qi supply to the head is reduced which lead to a temporary weakness of the region, pathogens may take advantage of the situation and attack the head. When the head orifices become dysfunctional or blocked, there will be headaches. Women who already have qi and blood problems, hyperactive liver, or yin deficiency are likely to develop headaches during menstruation. TCM treatment always aims to regulate qi and blood, and unblock the meridians and collaterals. Moreover, TCM physicians will consider the menstrual phases when selecting the herbs. Headaches during menstruation are often associated with disharmonies like blood deficiency, liver fire and blood stasis.
Click to see the headaches in premenstrual disorders and menopausal disorders.
