PMS headaches and sinus problems

I am so glad I am not the only person who suffers with this every month! People kept telling me it was purely coincidental! Mine starts with blockage in my left nostril, pressure behind my left eye to the point I think it's gonna pop and an extremely nauseous headache but the strange thing is I feel the need to eat really stodgy foods almost the same way you do when you have a hangover. So although I feel sick I'm stuffing my face!? If I don't take a strong pain killer such as ibroprofen 500mg strength as soon as it comes on and steam my face, it seriously knocks me for the next 3 days till my period arrives. It is still there for three days but not as debilitating as it would be if i didn't do these things. Again like so many others, which in the nicest way possible, I'm pleased it's not only me, my family know the drill to, my husband says I shouldn't pop the pills like candy but if I didn't I seriously couldn't function! The dr never has any answers so as for a cure I'm not sure there is, other than steam my face and take the strongest pain killer as soon as I feel the pressure building, funnily enough which is this morning, so I'm off to pop some pills and I hope everyone else finds some relief with what looks to me as an unfortunately long term "coincidence" .

This is what I've gathered per various inputs as a plan for mitigating monthly debilitating ‘sinus pressure’ attacks that correlate with period/menstruating

Reduce periods:
• Consider moving to pill with quarterly cycle rather than monthly. I’ve always believed in following nature’s plan (monthly) but to avoid the bad sinus episodes, moving to a quarterly pill makes sense (see your OBGYN for recommendations).

Address causes of nasal/sinus inflammation:
• Leukotrienes: Take Singulair (note: similar is “Accolate”). (TBD: must be taking preventatively/well in advance, eg 3 weeks, and also has recently be documented it may cause “psychotic episodes” which is concerning enough to consider not taking long-term). Meds to handle leukotrienes seem important because “leukotrienes” cause the contractions we feel with menstrual cramps. They are also the target of “Singulair” which works to lower leukotrienes that body produces with rhinitis and asthma. So that is the link between the sinus/face/head pain and the menstrual cycle. This research study shows that asthma attacks are known to be worse during menstruation; so there is a correlation.  Seems like more research is needed in Leukotriene area, specifically Cysteinyl Leukotrienes.
• Histamines: handle with antihistamines, such as Zyrtec (Claritin & Allegra need greater time to build up to be effective; Zyrtec is more immediate)
• Prostaglandins: handle with NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen. (I use 800mg dose two times daily 2 days leading up to the pain).

Inflammatory Response Allergy/Nasal Hormonal/PMS
Leukotriene YES YES
Prostaglandin NO
(may be secondary if there is injury to tissue) YES
Histamine YES NO


Monitor diet to reduce inflammatory responses/autoimmune reactions:
• Gluten-free always
o All medicines completely gluten-free (not 20 parts per million, completely gluten-free)
o If on thyroid meds, use Tirosint which is truly gluten-free (not Synthroid, esp synthroid doses that are pint or lavender as they use gluten dyes).
o Foods: completely gluten-free including any sauces, starches, etc. Best bet is to make it yourself and add nothing pre-mixed.
• Dairy-free during pre-period and during/post-period weeks

Week prior to and during period do eat/take:
• B3, B6
• Calcium
• Copper (only small dose as in multivitamin; usually not with zinc)
• E
• Magnesium
• Selenium
• Zinc
• E
• Omega 3’s
o Olive Oil
o Walnut, Flaxseed, Rapeseed, Cod Liver
o Fish: Seafood is a great source for DHA and EPA omega-3s, especially Halibut, Herring, Mackerel, Oysters, Salmon, Sardines,Trout, Tuna (fresh)
o Fresh Produce With ALA Omega-3s - Vegetables, especially green leafy ones, are rich in ALA, one form of omega-3 fatty acids. Although ALA isn't as powerful as the other omega-3 fatty acids, DHA and EPA, these vegetables offer a host of benefits, from fiber to antioxidants, in addition to omega-3.
o Brussels sprouts, Kale, Mint, Parsley
o Spinach
o Watercress
• Antioxidants
• Low-acid foods such as vegetables (a good week to do a cleanse or mostly-veg/low-acid meal week, for example)

Don’t eat/take:
• Omega 6 fats:

• Acidifiers:
o Coffee
o Wine (replace with sushi!)

Days before and during period
• Topical nasal/sinus anti-inflammatories
o Fluconase/steroid or Nasonex
o Patanase (don’t swallow or let it go to back of throat)
• Care for nasal tissues: Simply Saline or neti-pot rinsing with head upside-down in shower for 5 minutes 1-2 times daily. Gentle neutral sprays that coat nasal lining, keep hydrated and calm.
• Musinex (check brand re: 100% gluten free) – To keep mucus thin and running, not thick.
• Zyrtec (check brand re: 100% gluten free; if taking Claritin or Allegra, they are confirmed to be gluten-free but may take longer to have effect)
• TBD: Sudafed or “Zyrtec-D” in place of Zyrtec – Depending on Gluten-Free status, may take, but doesn’t sit well with stomach.
• Monitor acid levels: e.g. short-term reflux meds or antacids

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Even on birth control I deliberately use to my period for months.  I still get the sinus and migraine around the time every month when I'm supposed to get my period.  It is very annoying and can put me out of working condition.  Only once did I manage this issue by having a very intensive exercise routine 2-3hrs a day.  This is too much when you're working.  I'm glad there are others with similar issues.

Much appreciated reply. I am due for my OBGYN and will discuss going on quarterly meds. Besides the coffee i'm pretty good with foods I eat. Used to use singular but never really noticed a difference. Though I admit the Singular helped all around with lots of things. I might try again to see if there is one. The Nasonex only helped to stop sneezing but didn't prevent migraine from getting worse.

One combo I used this time was Sudafed with Advil and Nasonex when needed. I had to still sleep with a hot pad under my head to limit the pain. It took about 3 days of doing this before symptoms just one day disappeared. That's is the strange part, that all of a sudden the symptoms are gone. This is why I think it is PMS related as the symptoms match my cycle.

Wow I have been suffering with the same problem. It started about 5 years ago (31). Every month I am at the doctor for a prescription, for a long time I would leave it, thinking maybe my body could fight it, but then I would end up worse off. I was just at my gyno on Friday and mentioned it to her and she said she hadn't come across anyone with this issue, but that she didn't think it would be uncommon since she has patients whose fibromyalgia, arthritis, irritable bowl and other things that go way out of wack around their cycle. Not sure if this happens to anyone as well but since my body does go out of wack (feels like its attacking its self) I will get cold sores so now about a week before I will start taking Lysine in pill form and what a help. I had tried abreva, and other medication, but nothing helped. Just wanted to let you know that the pills come in 1000mg and 500mg forms, the 1000mg pills are HUGE, go with the 500mg. I also use "hydro sense congestion" and it really has helped with the pressure at the top of my nose, its almost instant!! Did the Neti pot as well, it was an instant relief as well but I found with the hydro sense it was much more convenient. Also wanted to add when I was in to see my gyno in May, we were discussing (well I was) how my daughter is moody since starting of her cycle, I as well have been more moody and really wasn't moody, but now seem to have that anger PMS (if any of you know what I mean) My gyno was saying to me its funny how our bodies work and change and it seems to repeat itself, in our pre-teen teen years when we first start our cycles, we are confused, not really sure what's happening with our bodies and our hormones are all out of control, then late teens through our 20's and early 30'a things seem to calm down and we seems to have an understanding of our emotions and what's happening and then mid 30's (sometimes early 30's depends on the lady) its like we are going through our teens again cause our hormones are out if wack again cause our bodies are preparing for menopause. I wanted to add a huge THANK U to every one for sharing, now I know, I'm not insane!!

I started getting sinus headaches when I started taking birth control. I had to go on birth control because my body quit having periods. I don't think there is no way around it. In my opinion I think reason for the sinus headache is because the body is producing to much chemicals. I never had a headache when I started my period before birth control. 

Not to be completely redundant, but thank God I'm not the only one (and not crazy!) For the past 4 months, like clockwork, I've gotten a horrible sinus infection. Only yesterday did I put the pieces together & realize it coralates to getting my period. I also realized, however, that 4 months ago I had to stop taking my birth control pills b/c my Rx ran out & since I don't have health insurance I haven't had the money to go to the Dr. to get a new script. Has anyone else plagued by this noticed a differnce with changing/stopping birth control pills??

Well i remember years ago always having a horrible, dull ache in my head and face and jaw which i called a headache. I wasnt a great water drinker coming from melbourne and my bowel movenents were not that regular. I have since started drinking a herbal trim tea or herbal slim tea from the asian shop that really cleans the bowel out, it works so well that i rarely get any headache symptoms. For a month now i havnt taken my regular once a week herbal tea beverage, and for the first time in years today i thought i was going to vomit with sinus symptoms, aching on face and in jaws, layed in bed, no noise, had to take a panadeine forte to get rid of pain.Yes i am on my 2nd day of my period. So i believe the ritual of giving the bowel a good clean out relieves all the symptoms we are getting, try this and let me know what you think . The first time i used the well fit tea which is another one i use i couldntbelieve the colour of the faeces, it is scary to think that that stuff was sitting on my bowel wall for years, it was yellow, and as i kept using it i now have what would be considered a normal bowel movement colour. My skin is clear, i never get breakouts, I must get back into my once a week tea drink starting tonight as i never want to go through what i felt today.

i bet he is a male doctor, what would a man know about how it feels to go through the stuff we do, and even when we feel like we are going to pass out, we still work and tend to our duties, what would a man really know

Hi all,

My chiropractor (who is a chiropractic internist) has told me this is progesterone related.  He has me taking a supplement on days 20-27 of my 28 day cycle.  I'm also taking extra multi vitamin, vitamin c, magnesium and vitamin B 6 during that week.  

I'm happy to report that this month (the first month I'm trying this) I did not need my Relpax nor did I really even feel sick.  I had a headache upon waking up on the last day of the period but that is not too bad.

Hormonal surges. Ive suffered HORRIBLY with severe congestion, sinus pressure, ear pressure, Ive had two surgeries simply to breathe especially at night. Any allergy is ten times worse for me. I never had problems until 38, when perimenapausal? Seems to be when all this starts. I cant sleep as no air, or lift head off pillow for days before my period. If I cant breathe, Im fatigued all day too. I also noted that right before my water broke delivering my son 23 yrs ago, I was sent to the ER due to UNBEARABLE pain in my ears/head to the point I was in tears. The nurses pulled out wheelchairs thinking i was in labor, but wasnt. The ear/head pain was worse.The next day my water broke, and my son was born. Estrogen? I was later told by an ENT it was hormone surge. Debilitating, seems only a few good days a month without it.

Is it possible that the water retainage, the bloat, we experience, is impacting us systemically---even in cranial passageways/sinuses? I know my face sure does puff up in period time.

Did these stick around? I'm also weaning and am hoping you have a positive ending to share?!

Wow, wow, wow! All this time I thought it was just me!! I usually get a massive sinus (migraine) just at the tail end of my cycle! Sometimes I vomit the pain is so bad. I    swear my kids think I am always sick :( it makes me sad and frustrated that I deal with this so often and I do not know what the answer is. I had started to think I was i was he only person who suffered with this. Thanks for sharing guys. :) 

I have the exact same thing, I have a horrible headache and I feel the need to eat.