Hormonal migraines are a common issue for many women, often related to changes in estrogen and other hormones. These migraines can be significantly painful and often recur during certain stages of a woman’s menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. To reduce symptoms and enhance the quality of life, it is crucial to understand the hormonal triggers and available treatment alternatives.
Understanding Migraine Treatment Devices
Migraine devices are sophisticated medical equipment used to prevent or alleviate migraines through nerve or brain stimulation. They do not involve medication, making them a popular choice for individuals who cannot handle side effects or are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on hormone treatments. Many of these devices are compact, portable, and easy to use, designed to fit into one’s daily routine.
Some of these tools work to reduce the likelihood and severity of migraines, while others are used as a migraine begins to prevent it from getting worse. They employ various technologies including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), each designed to target different neurological pathways.
Picking the Right Migraine Device
Selecting the appropriate device for treating migraines begins with a thorough understanding of your symptoms, preferences, and treatment objectives. Things to take into account include:
- Migraine type: Some devices are more effective for certain types of migraines, like hormonal, chronic, or aura-related migraines. Check whether it’s approved by the FDA for your specific migraine type.
- Preventive and acute treatment: Some devices focus on preventive measures or relieving symptoms once they start. Others provide both functions. Choose based on if you require daily management or immediate relief.
- Age and safety considerations: Check the age clearance and safety information. If you’re on the verge of using a device for a teenager or during pregnancy, it may not be suitable for use.
- Ease of use and portability: Opt for a device that suits your lifestyle — whether it’s wearable, app-linked, rechargeable, or discreet enough for use while traveling.
- Clinical backing and user reviews: Consider a product that is clinically proven, FDA-approved, and with positive real user feedback. This assures the product is safe and works effectively.
Eight Effective Devices for Treating Hormonal Migraines
The following are treatments that are backed by scientific research and endorsed by headache specialists worldwide:
- CEFALY: Founded in 2008, CEFALY leads the way in migraine treatment. Its mission is to deliver innovative, evolving technology that enables migraine sufferers to manage their treatment and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
- ElectroCore: ElectroCore is a leader in bioelectronic medicine, providing innovative, clinically backed therapies using vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) as drug-free alternatives to traditional treatments.
- TensCare: TensCare aims to improve lives through innovative, drug-free pain relief and well-being solutions.
- Salvia BioElectronics: Established in 2017, Salvia BioElectronics seeks to redefine migraine care with cutting-edge neuromodulation therapy.
- Migracorr: Migracorr produces the Migraine Stopper, a portable, patient-operated pneumatic medical device designed to provide natural migraine relief.
- LloydsPharmacy: A healthcare provider offering much more than medicine dispensing, its Migraine TENS pain reliever delivers gentle electrical impulses through the skin to help block pain signals sent to the brain.
- Neurolief: A pioneering company in mental health innovation aimed at improving people’s lives with neurological and mood disorders with its Revilion MG product.
- eNeura: eNeura is an innovative healthcare company specializing in innovative neurological treatments, revolutionizing migraine treatment with its FDA-cleared sTMS Smart Diary™.
Who Should Avoid Using Migraine Devices
Patients with active medical implants like pacemakers, defibrillators, cochlear implants, and any other electronic devices implanted close to the treatment area should not use noninvasive vagus nerve stimulators.
Also, stimulators are not recommended for those who have a history of significant carotid atherosclerosis or cervical vagotomy. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult a healthcare provider before use, even if the device is drug-free. Some are not cleared for use in children or adolescents, so age restrictions should always be checked.
Dealing with Hormonal Migraines
Hormonal migraines are a neurological disorder that affects 12% of adults worldwide at any given time. They are mainly characterized by intense and debilitating headaches. Common symptoms of a hormonal migraine include nausea, vomiting, difficulty talking, numbness, and heightened sensitivity to light and sound.
Hormonal migraines often begin around the start of menstruation and continue through pregnancy and menopause. Therefore, hormone-based treatments may aid in managing migraines during these periods.
