Menstrual migraine

Preventive therapy may also be administered intermittently when headaches recur in a predictable pattern (e.g., exercise-induced or menstrual migraine). 

Between 1874 and 1942 it was highly esteemed as a headache remedy by most prominent physicians of the age. Although the American Medical Association vigorously opposed the action, cannabis became essentially illegal in 1937. Whether or not the plant became a scapegoat for a perceived social problem, research funding was curtailed. In 1941, preparations of cannabis were dropped from the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) and the National Formulary. Yet a year later, the Journal of the American Medical Association advocated that oral preparations of cannabis be prescribed for the relief of menstrual migraine. 

Boyle C. Management of menstrual migraine. Neurology 1999 53 (suppl 1) S14-18. 

Elavil is useful in preventing migraine headaches, not cluster headaches, and Climara is useful in preventing menstrual migraine headaches. 

Breakthrough bleeding, spotting, change in menstrual flow, amenorrhea, rash with or without pruritus, acne, fluid retention, edema, increase or decrease in weight, sudden, partial, or complete loss of vision, migraine, nausea... 

Feverfew has traditionally been used in the treatment of migraine, tinnitus, vertigo, arthritis, fever, menstrual disorders, difficulty during labor, stomachache, toothache, and insect bites. 

Catnip contains nepetalactone, a volatile oil similar to that found in valerian root. It acts as a mild sedative to relieve migraines, menstrual cramps, tension, and anxiety. Many consider catnip effective in treating flatulence and indigestion others regard it as a diuretic. Ozarks use catnip to treat aching teeth. A weak catnip tea is a traditional remedy to help soothe colicky babies. 

In folk medicine and traditional systems of medicine, various species of valerian have been used as an oral infusion to treat migraine headaches, hysteria, nervous unrest, neurasthenia, fatigue, seizures, stomach cramps that cause vomiting, and other nervous conditions. Valerian also has been used internally as a spasmolytic, a carminative, and a stomachic, and externally on cuts, sores, and acne. Some herbalists recommend it as a possible vermifuge. In Chinese medicine, valerian is used to treat the aforementioned conditions, as well as chronic headache, numbness due to rheumatic conditions, colds, menstrual difficulties, and bruises. Because there has been no extensive research conducted on uses other that the sedative properties of valerian and its constituents, these other uses cannot be scientifically evaluated. 

For most patients, preventive drug therapy is not an appropriate option, since it requires continued use of powerful drugs. However, for women whose migraines coincide with the menstrual period, limited preventive treatment may be effective. Since these drugs are appropriate for patients with other medical conditions, the decision to prescribe them for migraine may be influenced by expected benefit elsewhere. 

Tanacetum parthenium Chrysanthemum parthenium) is known feverfew. "Feverfew" comes from the Latin fetrifugia meaning driver out of fevers and it has been used for centuries as an antipyretic. Traditionally, the leaves or infussions of the herb have long been used as a febrifuge and to relieve menstrual and rheumatic pain and migraine [11]. Nowadays standardized feverfew capsules containing the leaf extract are available in the market. 

It is of note that in some embodiments, the specific cannabinoids isolated are those cannabinoids with suspected health benefits or suspected medicinal uses. For example, the cannabinoids and cannflavins may be used as anti-emetics, antinauseants, appetite stimulants, antiinflammatories, antioxidants, neuroprotectives, analgesics, suppressants for primary immune response, glaucoma remedies, antineoplastics, migraine headache remedies, menstrual pain remedies, anticonvulsants, anti-epileptics, or movement disorder remedies. The essential oils may be used for aromatherapy or as flavoring/scenting adjuvants. 

In Canada, the Health Protection branch allows sale of tablets and capsules made from feverfew crude dried leaves for decreasing the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. The products should be standardized to contain no less than 0.2% parthenolide. In France, feverfew has traditional use in the treatment of heavy menstrual flow and prevention of migraine headache (4). 

Frequency/timing Recurrent associated with menstrual cycle or at certain times, e.g. weekends Migraine... 

A good herbalist treats people, not diseases. Ten patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis would get ten different protocols based on their unique constitutions and symptom pictures. Some parts of the treatments may overlap, but Chris Smith, who is 72 years old, chronically constipated, has impaired circulation, and suffers from insomnia in addition to rheumatoid arthritis, presents a very different picture than does Angela Jones, who is 32 years old, has terrible premenstrual and menstrual problems, hyperchlorhydria (excess stomach acid), and migraine headaches as well as rheumatoid arthritis. A well-done herbal protocol will use differential diagnosis and energetics to create a specific treatment for each person. 

Relief of intractable pain is one of the core historical applications of cannabis. There are many modern anecdotes as to its utility in cancer pain, bone and joint pain, migraine, menstrual cramps and labour pain (Grinspoon and Bakalar 1993). Cannabis has been shown to have a dose-dependent antinociceptive effect on experimental pain in healthy subjects (Greenwid and Stitzer 2000). 

After women have tried lifestyle changes, nutritional supplements, and nonpharmacologic treatment approaches, some may require pharmacologic therapies if there is limited response. Women with less severe PMS generally self-treat headaches and cramps with aspirin, acetaminophen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAlDs). NSAIDs, such as naproxen and ibuprofen, are the treatments of choice for dysmenorrhea, menstrual headaches or migraines, and mastalgia. 

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