PMS headaches and sinus problems

I am having such horrible sinus swelling and pain the week before my period. At first I thought it was the usual sinus infection from allergies that I have. Then I started to notice that it happened the week before my period, and got better after my period started. This is a new pms symptom to me! I have heard of edema and swelling before your period, but never thought of it affecting my sinuses! Has anyone talked to their doctor about this? Is it a hormone problem? I am 44 but not in menopause or anything.

I get "sinus pressure" about a week before period till a week after- some days are worse than others. I've tried everything. My neurologist think it's water retention in the sinus's - my head get's bloated. The one thing that seems to help is diuretics- those lose weight quick pills. Don't get the ones with caffiene as an ingredient. I think my ingredient is panbron or something. The issue is that i have to take them every 4 hours or so, and then sometimes i get dehydrated from them- which can cause a "hangover" headache. The do seem to help more than anything else i have tried, but they don't get rid of all the pain. Anyone else try these or have a suggestion for water retention in sinuses?

I have the same issue. I get what I thought were sinus headaches a few days before my period. They are so painful I have taken more otc medication than ever in my life. I have seen my two different doctors to see what the connection was. One doctor told me to get on birth control which could regulate the effects and to take a migraine medicine. The other docotr told me to take a B complex supplement. I tried the B complex because I like to do things naturally. The month I did take the complex I didn't have a headache. I stopped taking them b/c I forgot and now they are back.

Wow, I get this same thing - just this past 2 years or so (I'm 47). Right before my period, I get just a tad of a sore throat. Then I ALWAYS get an unbearable sinus headache the 5th day into my period. Pain meds do absolutely nothing. Thanks for all the advice here.

Thank you so much for posting I too thought I was alone. I have seen many ENT's and had sinus surgery 15 years ago. Why have all the doctors I have seen not ask me about this! I have sinus pain and of feeling like my sinuses are saw and have just had salt poured in them. What doctor should I go to first the ENT or OB? I have had a blood clot and can not take BCP's. :-(

I have suffered with sinus headaches, what the doctors referred to as migraines, the week prior to my period for years and years. I have, by accident, stumbled upon the belief that they are not migraines (pressure behind, below right eye; and pain in temple and down to right ear). I had mucinex in the house and two months ago decided to try it, it couldnt possibly be worse than the headaches. (Don't take it on an empty stomach!) Surprisingly, i received relief from the "migraine" when I have always before had to go to sleep in self defense (no other meds worked). I repeated the experiment for the last two months, with good results (less severe, lasts only half a day, not debilitating). I searched the net and did find reference to hormones making changes in the sinus mucus. I didnt know that. I just suspected, like every other part of my body, the sinus passages were swollen (or bloated) and that thinning the mucus helped it clear.

I have been told my many doctors that there is no link to my sinus headaches and my menstrual cycle. I had headaches always on the right hand side of my head, behind my left eye which feels like it is going to explode and always goes bloodshot, I get toothache too in only one tooth which the dentist says is perfectly healthy. I also get the drainage down my throat and stiffness of my neck. I have been getting this for years and thought I was just weird but thanks to you all I can see I am not alone.

Heh, I'm another who gets these sinus type headaches before menstration. I'm curious, have any of you been on the birth control pill? I never used to get headaches with menstration until after I started a BC pill. I no longer take any hormones but the headaches still persist monthly. I also suffer from hemipelegic migraines and this is certainly more relative to sinuses.

Hey everyone,

I also get these sinus headaches before my period, I stopped eating garlic and onions and that helped alot (because I think I am allergic to them), when I do still get a sinus headache pre period and I really need to function for the day I find taking an advil cold and sinus is really effective. It makes me kind of wired, and only last for about 6 hours and is ussually followed by a bit of a crash, so it is by no means a miracle cure, but if i need to do something important it beats feeling like a have my head in a vice and wanting to throw up all day. Also, taking it in the late afternoon is a mistake for me as it sometimes means I will have terrible trouble sleeping.

just thought I'd put it out there.

I suffer with this as well..I am in my mid 40's and notice that sometimes the headaches are more severe. I take Excedrin every 3 hrs. to keep the pain at bay..my dr prescribed me Midrin..it helps some too,but not recommended for during the day if you work as it tends to make you a little sleepy. I am suffering right now with this and am thinking of taking some allergy meds with the excedrin for the drainage. Also not to ramble on, but a friend of mine uses homeopathic oils to contol her symptoms. I may ask her what she uses and let you know. Unless someone already knows this therapy. I HATE THESE HEADACHES!! Everyday that I don't have a headache is a good day!!

Hello all,
I have all the same issues..I am a RN and have work in women's health for 15yrs.
Sinus headaches the week or so before your period is due to fld retention in your sinus.
Take sinus meds, sinus rinses, ice pack alter with heat (whatever help you)also, the "Neti Pot" really helps!.. and a mild diuretic, this will give you some relief .

Sabra-rn

... And I thought it was just me! Thanks everyone for your advice and for sharing. Right now my head feels like it's in a vice and I can't face doing anything. I am not on any BC pill atm but used to suffer when I was on the pill too. Nothing stops one of these headaches once it starts!!!

The headaches stopped when I was pregnant and breastfeeding which made me realise the connection was either my diet or menstruation. My child is now 2 years old - this is only the 2nd headache I've had since she was weaned at 17 months, and I guess I'm heading for the 3rd period since then / since she was born. DARN IT! Was hoping to be pregnant (with the added plus of being headache free for another big stretch).

A few have mentioned avoiding caffeine, alcohol, sugar and salt. When I was pregnant and breastfeeding I only drank decaf and didn't drink alcohol, or consume much salt but I did eat a bit of sweet stuff! I was also taking "Blackmores pregnancy & breastfeeding Gold" supplements. Perhaps it is the combination of all of those things that stopped the headaches.

I have noticed that preservative 220 can be a contributor to my sinus / menstrual migraines. It is sulfur dioxide - a very toxic chemical that is added to a lot of our food and drinks, particularly dried fruit (and thus breakfast cereals) and wine. Try to avoid it by switching to chemical free dried fruit (from the health food store) and look out for preservative free wine. I had a couple of glasses of wine on the weekend - probably helped this headache come on :-(

I too have seen doctors, allergy specialists, almost went to the ENT surgeon. I could never understand why it was sinus pain but also linked with PMS and the dr's didn't make any connection or help, really. Now I understand it's due to fluid retention and swelling in the sinuses and that a combination of diet and supplements can prevent these headaches. If only there was something that could stop this current headache in its tracks!

Thanks to everyone who has contributed and helped me to understand. I'll be back on the supplements to boost the B complex vitamins and make sure there's evening primrose in there too. I'll stop the coffee. It might be hard to give up but it's got to be better than feeling like your head might explode. I feel somewhat comforted in knowing that it is labeled as a type of migraine because these are way more than ordinary headaches and I don't think my family, friends or employers have ever understood. Now I can perhaps show them this site and they will realise how much pain I am really in!

Best Health to all of you :-)

i've started researching my sinus PMS headache today (after having it for 5 years) and finding this site really helped, no one else I know seems to get these headaches. But now I know you're out there! Mine last for 3 days and nothing much helps, though this month i ice packed my face in the morning before getting out of bed that seemed to help a bit. later on I had a Vicks inhalation and that also helped. One month I cut out all sugar, and I mean all sugar, even the hidden stuff and that month, wow, no headache. Perhaps it was a coincidence but I plan to try it again.All of the tips in above posts help, but it's hard to remember to do them all at once.

I also have this problem. Having it right now. My eyes weep too.

Glad to not be alone...or weird...or a hypochondriac.
I get HORRIBLE Migraines along with my period as well as sinus problems, throat irritation, chills. It's as if I have a sinus infection, flu, or cold just for a few days into my period and then it's gone. :p I never had this before kids...and I have 4 kids. I don't think I had it directly after my last one either, but it seemed to take a couple years after I stopped nursing her to regulate my monthly cycle fully.
I didn't keep track of the headaches until about August or September when I started to think I was sick all the time. Then I noticed it was only the week of my period every time. Sometimes a day before, sometimes the day of, or sometimes starting the day after. Actually I think my husband noticed it before I did. One time I was complaining of a bad headache and my period started the next day. He told me he had a feeling since I had a headache the day before. I also get extremely tired the week before, irritable...the usual I guess...but these migraines are horrible. I try tylenol first, but then take Excedrine Migraine later in the day when I think I'm going to explode and it takes the edge off. :-(

I'm getting to the point where maybe I need to see a doctor. I don't think anyone believes how bad my migraines are and I don't want to be seen as a whiner. :/ Tomorrow though I'm going to see a chiropractor and find out if there is anything they can do first since I have some problems with my back and tail bone after having kids. I've heard that if you get migraines often they can do something.

Best of health and may we find a solution!