How can I treat migraine headaches that occur with my menstrual periods?

Menstrual migraine headache can be treated like any other migraine headache. For milder cases, try aspirin or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen, daily during the days before and the week of your period. Birth control pills may increase the frequency or intensity of attacks, which usually occur during the placebo week when the pills don't contain any estrogen. However, low-estrogen birth control pills may prevent menstrual migraine headaches in some women, especially when taken continuously. At menopause, menstrual migraine headaches should improve as long as you don't take hormone therapy—which may actually increase the frequency and intensity of the attacks.