Pregnancy can cause a change in the number of hormones in your body, which can affect how often you experience migraine. Many will see their symptoms worsen throughout their pregnancy.
Some people may find temporary relief from migraine when pregnant. Still, after giving birth, those who periodically experienced migraine before pregnancy will typically see their symptoms return.
Around 10% of people can develop migraine or experience more severe migraine episodes during pregnancy.
This article will review the causes of pregnancy migraine, their symptoms, how you can treat and prevent them, and when you should speak with a healthcare professional.
What causes pregnancy migraine, and what are the symptoms?
There is currently no exact know cause for pregnancy migraine. Pregnancy causes changes in hormone levels and blood volume, which may have a role in causing migraine.
Other potential causes of migraine during pregnancy can stem from having low blood sugar levels or increased stress levels. Another cause is dehydration, which can occur due to pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting during the first trimester.
Most people have reported improvements in their migraine symptoms either during the second or the third trimester, with migraine occurring with a reduced frequency and causing less pain.
Those who are pregnant should consider avoiding caffeinated drinks. Around 50% of people that stop drinking coffee or drinks containing caffeine experience migraine as caffeine withdrawal symptoms.
Pregnant people may also have an increased risk for nasal congestion, which can cause sinusitis and sinus headaches.
If you have pregnancy migraine you may experience:
- moderate or severe headaches typically felt on only one side of the head
- nausea
- vomiting
- increased sensitivity to light or sound
What medications can help treat pregnancy migraine?
If you experience pregnancy migraine, there are various types of medications that you can take to help improve your symptoms. Examples of over-the-counter (OTC) medications include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. A healthcare professional may recommend sumatriptan (Imitrex), which is only available through prescription.
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Still, you should consider speaking with a healthcare professional before taking any new medication to check if it is suitable for the stage of your pregnancy and that it cannot harm your health or the fetus.
Most of these medications are available in the form of tablets and capsules. But the dosage may vary depending on your symptoms and health conditions.
The following table shows the different types of medications a healthcare professional may recommend you take to improve your migraine during the various stages of pregnancy.
| Medication | First trimester | Second trimester | Third trimester | Benefits | Side effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaminophen (Tylenol) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | It can help reduce migraine pain in its mild and moderate forms. | There are no particular contraindications to taking acetaminophen during pregnancy. |
| Naproxen (Aleve) | ✔ | ✔ | It can be taken up to 32 weeks of pregnancy. | Doctors may suggest these drugs if your migraine shows no improvement after taking acetaminophen. | Taking NSAID drugs after 32 weeks of pregnancy may affect the fetus. |
| Sumatriptan (Imitrex) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | Your doctor may recommend taking this drug if acetaminophen has no effect on your migraine and you cannot take any NSAID medications. | There is no evidence that sumatriptan can harm the fetus at any pregnancy stage. |
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Get free cardLifestyle measures
There are various lifestyle measures that can help improve symptoms of pregnancy migraine.
Reducing stress
Stress can be a common trigger for migraine. Paying attention to your stress levels and working to reduce them can help decrease the frequency of migraine episodes during pregnancy. Relaxation exercises such as yoga or meditation can help reduce stress.
Drinking enough liquids
You should also ensure you are drinking enough liquids throughout the day to avoid dehydration, which can be a common trigger for migraine.
Sleep
Ensuring you get enough sleep daily can also reduce the risk of migraine. If you are struggling to fall asleep at night, then it is essential to maintain a strict sleep schedule. This involves sleeping at the same time every day, including on weekends.
How can you prevent migraine while pregnant?
A healthcare professional may recommend a treatment plan to prevent migraine if you are experiencing them regularly and have shown no improvement in your symptoms after taking acetaminophen or other medications to reduce pain.
More research is necessary to determine the effects of these medications on a fetus. Since each individual’s needs vary, it is best to work with your doctor or healthcare professional to determine suitability, as the risks may outweigh the benefits. A few possible options to prevent migraine while pregnant can include:
- gabapentin (Neurontin)
- venlafaxine (Effexor)
- topiramate (Topamax)
Asprin may also be an option, although the dosage should be less than 100 milligrams (mg), and you should avoid the medication altogether in your third trimester.
When is migraine during pregnancy a concern?
In some cases, migraine may be a sign of other serious health conditions that can be harmful to you and the fetus if left untreated. This includes preeclampsia (which can cause high blood pressure). When preeclampsia is left untreated, the fetus or the pregnant person may develop eclampsia, a life threatening condition where high blood pressure can result in seizures.
You should consider speaking with a healthcare professional if you experience migraine and any of the following:
- a severe headache
- blurred vision
- vomiting
- pain below your ribs
- light sensitivity or seeing flashing lights
- sudden swelling in your face or limbs
Summary
Pregnancy migraine is a common condition that many people experience throughout their pregnancy. The exact cause of migraine during pregnancy is currently unknown. Changes in hormone levels and a rise in blood pressure may be one of the potential causes.
People may also experience migraine due to dehydration and low blood sugar levels caused during pregnancy.
A healthcare professional may recommend acetaminophen and, in some cases, ibuprofen to reduce the symptoms of migraine. Still, there are treatment plans available that can help prevent migraine from developing.
It is best to work with your doctor or healthcare professional to determine what treatment options are right for you without causing harm to the fetus.
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