Emily Dai, Period Pro from SUNY Downstate Medical Center College of Medicine
Emily Dai, Period Pro
Every March, Brain Awareness Week is a chance to learn more about how amazing and complex our brains are. For me, it also feels personal. I experience menstrual migraines, and because of that, I’ve become more curious about understanding my own body. I hope to share some of what I’ve learned with you.
I’ve come to realize that these are not just “bad headaches.” They are real neurologic events that happen in a pattern, connected to changes in hormones. Menstrual migraines are closely linked to shifts in estrogen. In the days before a period starts, estrogen levels drop quickly. That change affects the brain in several ways. Estrogen helps support serotonin, a brain chemical that plays a role in mood and pain. When estrogen drops, serotonin levels can fall too, making it easier for a migraine to start. At the same time, certain pain pathways in the brain become more sensitive, and chemicals that cause inflammation and pain get released. All of this together can trigger a migraine.
From my own experience, these migraines often come at the same time each month, usually right before or at the start of a period. Even though they are predictable, they can still feel intense and hard to manage. Knowing they are coming does not always make them easier, but it does help me prepare.
That pattern is actually really important for treatment. When doctors and patients recognize that migraines are linked to the menstrual cycle, they can plan ahead instead of only reacting once the pain starts. Tracking headaches alongside a period can help show this pattern clearly. Some people take medications like NSAIDs or triptans a day or two before their migraines usually begin to help prevent or lessen them. Others may use hormonal treatments to reduce the sudden drop in estrogen. The right approach depends on the person, but the key is understanding the pattern.
What I’ve come to appreciate is how much validation matters. Too often, period-related pain is minimized and treated as something people should just deal with. But just because something is common does not mean it is not serious. Menstrual migraines are caused by real changes in the brain. When someone acknowledges that and takes the pain seriously, it can make a huge difference. People feel more comfortable asking for help, trusting the treatment plan, and staying engaged in their care.
Brain Awareness Week is about connecting science to real life. Menstrual migraines are a perfect example of that connection. Hormone changes in the body can directly affect how the brain works and how we feel pain. They also remind us that behind every scientific explanation is a real, lived experience.
The more we understand about the brain, the better we can take care of ourselves and others. Sometimes, that starts with something simple: listening, learning, and recognizing that someone’s pain is real.