Do women have more headaches than men? Not surprisingly to women everywhere, the answer is yes. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, this is due to everything from stress to hormones. Keep reading as the author and women’s health advocate answers a few questions on the topic.
Q: Are hormones the cause of headaches?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Often, yes. Estrogen, especially, can contribute significantly to headaches in women. Fluctuating levels of this female hormone can trigger tension headaches and even migraines.
Q: When are headaches most common for women?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Unfortunately, headaches are prevalent and sometimes frequent for women beginning at the onset of puberty. When a woman is getting ready to menstruate, her estrogen levels drop. This triggers migraines. Similarly, after giving birth, a woman’s estrogen levels dip dramatically as there is no longer a pregnancy to support. During pregnancy, and especially in the first trimester, estrogen levels soar significantly and quickly, which can also lead to headaches.
Q: What about menopause?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Menopause can also lead to fluctuating hormone levels. As the ovaries begin to say sayonara to their child-bearing years, the body can react in many different ways. Headaches are one of these.
Q: Hormones aside, what are some other headache triggers common in women?
Marla Ahlgrimm: Many of the most common include dehydration, taking certain medications, poor eating and sleeping habits, and anxiety. Similarly, women can also experience headaches due to both overexertion and living a sedentary lifestyle. It is also not uncommon for both genders to notice tension between their temples after consuming things like alcohol, Parmesan cheese, aspartame, caffeine, and chocolate. Poor posture, noise, and glare are also culprits women who experience frequent headaches should consider exploring.
Marla Ahlgrimm has co-authored two ground-breaking books,