Can Too Much Estrogen Cause Migraines?
What Is Estrogen?
Estrogen is one of the two main female sex hormones. It is responsible for the development of secondary sex characters in females and also plays a major role in reproduction and regulation of menstrual cycle. Although it is a hormone associated with reproductive organs but its effects can be observed all over the body especially in bones, heart, blood vessels, breasts and brain.
How Can One Have High Levels Of Estrogen?
High levels of estrogen can develop naturally due to hormone imbalance issues but it can also be caused by taking certain medication. For example: HRT medications can be cause high levels of estrogen.
Elevated levels of estrogen can contribute to the development of symptoms like:
- Hormonal headaches, especially migraines.
- Bloating.
- Fibrocystic lumps in your breast.
- Mood swings.
- Premenstrual syndrome.
- Irregular periods.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) also known Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT) helps treat menopausal symptoms. Female sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone are produced less and less as a woman approaches menopause.
Menopause is a time in a woman’s life when her ovaries stop producing an egg every month. It means that she will no longer have her monthly periods and will be unable to have babies naturally. As a woman approaches menopause, she will experience symptoms like hot flashes, chills, irregular periods, night sweats, sleep problems, weight gain, loss of libido and slow metabolism.
Running low on estrogen also has some severe symptoms like osteoporosis (brittle bones that break easily), improved risk of obesity and cardiovascular diseases.
How Is Hormone Replacement Therapy Done?
The primary focus of HRT is on replacing the estrogen that the body will produce in little amounts after menopause. There are several different combinations of HRT. Your doctor will let you know which combination of HRT is perfect for you.
There are several ways HRT medication can be taken, including,
- You can take HRT in the form of tablets
- HRT is also taken through implants, in which small pellets of estrogen are placed under your skin. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
- It also comes in a cream form and estrogen is directly absorbed by the skin.
- It can also be taken through patches that you simply stick to your skin.
You can opt for Estradot Patches which are available online all over UK. It contains synthetic estradiol which mimics the effects of naturally produced estrogen. It is very effective against menopausal symptoms.
Evorel patches are also used to treat symptoms of menopause. They release estradiol, which is absorbed in to your bloodstream through your skin. Evorel patches are estrogen only for of HRT.
Authored By
HARMINDER ‘HARMY’ KAUR
BSc(hons) Pharmacy
GPhC Number: 2061107
Reviewed By
GURDEV SEHMI
BSc Pharm, MRPharmS, Independent Prescriber, Superintendent Pharmacist, Clinical Lead
GPhC Number: 2050925