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Pregnancy Headache Causes & Treatment Options In Kuala Lumpur

Pregnancy headache treatment offered at Chiropractic Specialty Center® (CSC) is gentle, effective, and safe during all stages of pregnancy. You don’t have to live with headaches during pregnancy; we can help. get in touch with our Kuala Lumpur canter for more information on pregnancy-related headache therapy.

Some with pre-existing headaches and migraines may find relief from them during pregnancy. However, the occurrence of headaches during pregnancy is all too common. Moreover, those who have never experienced headaches before may start getting headaches for the first time during pregnancy. Headaches and migraines have a close relationship with hormonal levels. While increased estrogen decreases headaches, increased progesterone and relaxin homes can lead to headaches and migraines.

In this article, we discuss the role of these two hormones and how they impact headaches or migraines during pregnancy. We will also elaborate on the best and safest pregnancy headaches treatment program for the baby and expecting mothers.

The Three Pregnancy Hormones Linked To Pregnancy Aches & Pains

Estrogen, progesterone, and relaxin are the three main pregnancy hormones that ensure smooth and healthy gestation. Gestation defines the developments that occur in the womb between conception to birth. An increase (toxicity) or decrease (deficiency) in relaxin, estrogen, or progesterone will impact the health and wellbeing of the expecting mothers and the baby in the womb.

Statistic On Pregnancy Headaches Or Pregnancy Migraines

According to a published report in the journal of headaches and pain, 34% of pregnant women will suffer from headaches. The most common type of headache seen in pregnant women is a migraine without aura, impacting approximately 19 pregnant women. Migraine headaches with aura occur in about 9%, while tension headaches affect nearly 5% of pregnant women.

Causes Of Pregnancy Headaches & Migraines

Most with a history of headaches and migraines find a decrease in the incidence and severity of migraines. The decreased migraine attacks or headaches in pregnant women are attributed to increased estrogen levels. According to a report in the American Migraine Foundation, 50-80% of women experienced headaches during pregnancy. However, some continue to suffer; moreover, patients with no prior history of headaches and migraines may experience headaches and migraines during pregnancy.

The exact role of estrogen in pregnant women with headaches and migraines is not fully understood as it has a complicated role. The function or impact of decreased estrogen levels during the menstrual cycle is better studied than increased estrogen levels relating to headaches during pregnancy. However, pregnant women with lower estrogen levels are more likely to develop pregnancy migraines or headaches. In short, estrogen is a complicated hormone; too much or not enough will cause pregnancy aches and pains, including headaches and migraines. We have discussed the role of estrogen in the nest section.

Relaxin is a hormone found in men and women. In women, relaxin levels increase during ovulation and throughout pregnancy. Pregnant women who experienced headaches during pregnancy and notice an uptick in the severity of their headaches or migraines are often the results of increased relaxin hormone levels. Relaxin, along with other hormones, especially progesterone, assists in the implantation of the fetus, maintenance of pregnancy, and uterus. Relaxin and progesterone also help loosen soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, tendons, and facia) to accommodate the growing uterus and baby.

Estrogen Deficiency During Pregnancy Is Linked To Headaches & Migraines

In the earlier sections, we discussed the three most important hormones While relaxin, progesterone, and estrogen are the three essential hormones of pregnancy, estrogen, and progesterone are two critical hormones. It is good practice to keep an eye on them during pregnancy. Estrogen is a hormone present in males and females. In females, estrogen levels are typically higher during childbearing ages. In females, estrogen is critical in regulating puberty, menstrual cycle, fertility level, bone health, maintenance of pregnancy, general health, and wellbeing, including overall mood. If you are pregnant or plan to get pregnant, you should speak with your gynecologist to start monitoring your estrogen levels for a smooth and healthy pregnancy.

Estrogen levels increase during pregnancy in all women. However, estrogen levels can become toxic (too high) or deficient in some women. For a healthy pregnancy, speak with your gynecologist to get your estrogen level at the right level. ScienceDaily published a study conducted on pregnant baboons. The authors reported that 50% of miscarriages in pregnant baboons directly result from low estrogen levels. Headaches and migraines are common byproducts of lower than average estrogen levels during pregnancy.

What Are Signs & Symptoms Of Low Estrogen Levels?

There are three different types of estrogen produced in females. You can get your estrogen levels checked through a simple blood test. Depending on your doctor or the clinic you visit, they may use one of the following three blood tests to monitor your estrogen levels:

  1. Estrone or E1: Estrogen made after menopause
  2. Estradiol or E2: Main estrogen hormone produced in non-pregnant fertile females
  3. Estriol or E3: Estrogen hormone made during pregnancy

Here are common signs and symptoms associated with lower than usual levels of estrogen:

Pregnancy Headaches Linked To Increased Relaxin & Progesterone

The loosening or softening of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as seen during pregnancy, isn’t just limited to the uterus. Increased levels of progesterone and relaxin hormones impact tissues and joints throughout the body, including the base of the skull, upper neck, and jaw joints. The impact of relaxin on the upper neck and jaws is now being studied as a culprit in the development of pregnancy headaches, neck pain, and its relations to increased headaches and migraines during pregnancy.

Headaches & Migraines Due To Increased Relaxin & Progesterone

Misalignments of the occipital bone (base-of-the-skull), jaws (TMJ), and the upper three segments of the neck (C-1, C-2, & C-3) are the primary culprits in patients who suffer from a pregnancy headache or migraine. Relaxin and progesterone are hormones that soften and relax soft tissues throughout the body in all stages of pregnancy. Their levels are highest during the initial stages of pregnancy, subside a bit during the second trimester, and elevate again during the last trimester ad the body prepares for childbirth. As such, headache or migraine is the most common during the first and last trimester, starting during the 6th or 7th months of pregnancy.

Jaw pain and jaw problems during pregnancy are relatively common, especially in women who grind their teeth during sleep (bruxism). Grinding teeth or bruxism during pregnancy is more harmful as the jaw’s connective tissues, and supporting structures have been loosened due to upper neck, base-of-the-skulls, and jaws may awaken or relax excessively, leading to malpositioning or misalignments. A misalignments jaw joint or a slipped disc in the jaw is always a concern in pregnant women who grind their teeth.

Poor posture, increased computer use, or excessive mobile and handheld devices force the head and neck into flexed or forward bend position that stresses the neck joints and soft tissues (muscles & ligaments). Excessive stress on the occipital bone (base of the skull) and the smaller joints of the upper neck (C1-C3) coupled with increased hormones that cause soft tissue loosening are why so many complain of pregnancy headaches and migraines.

How To Get Rid Of The Pregnancy Headache?

The best way to get rid of pregnancy headaches is to avoid them in the first place. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound cure. Pregnant women must monitor their posture throughout the day and avoid the position that forces their heads to flexed positions. If you’re unfortunate and have migraines or headaches during pregnancy, we can help.

Pregnancy headache treatment requires specialized skills, knowledge, and lots of experience. Therefore to recover, you will need a clinician who is deeply familiar with pregnancy-related aches and pain, the hormonal changes common during pregnancy, and the tissues they affect. The essential factor in treating headaches in pregnant women is the developing and growing baby. Pregnancy headache treatment must be natural and safe for the mother and the growing baby in the womb. The best treatment option for pregnant women is pregnancy-specific headache treatments by an experienced chiropractor.

Chiropractic Specialty Center® in Bukit Damansara has been treating pregnancy aches and pins, including headaches and migraines for over 15-years. Our director Dr. Yama has more than 25-years of clinical experience. Our pregnancy headache treatment is an ideal natural remedy that we can provide in all stages of pregnancy. Visit, call, or WhatsApp our Bukit Damansara center in Kuala Lumpur to learn more about pregnancy headache treatment and therapies we provide for migraines during pregnancy; we can help! Get the best pregnancy headache treatment in Kuala Lumpur today at CSC.

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