Hormones Causing Headaches

Updated on May 18, 2009
L.L. asks from Mentor, OH
15 answers

I just had my second son a month ago and have had severe headaches, backaches, and flu-like symptoms since the day after delivery. Ibuprofin works well, but I am taking it around the clock. I am thinking this could be hormone related, but can't be sure. I also have night-sweats and feel a little weepy sometimes, which is another reason I think it's hormones. My doc said to drink more water and take Excedrin. Has anyone else experienced this kind of thing and how long did it last?

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone who responded- I appreciate all the tips and advice. For those that asked- I had a spinal block for my c-section, not an epidural. I was told that the pain is unrelated unless I have pain at the injection point in the middle of my back. I hadn't considered mastitus (I am bf-ing)-but will keep a close watch on that situation. Hopefully, if it's hormone related things will even out soon on their own!! Thank you :)

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A.N.

answers from Toledo on

Did you have an epidural or spinal with your delivery? My first delivery (nearly 17 yrs. ago) was rough and I had an epidural. Immediately following, I had a migraine, which I never had before. After years of suffering and taking medication to try and stop the severity and discomfort that comes with them, I am now on medication to prevent them. The doctors believe I had a reaction to the epidural. Just a thought. Good Luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.A.

answers from Cleveland on

Hi L.,
I had a similar situation after my 3rd child was born . I started getting frequent Migraines, some very bad. I suggest you go to a neurologist before they get worse. Mine did. Find a Dr. you like. Maybe at a women's health clinic.

Mine were from hormones! When I got pregnant 4 yrs later--I stopped getting weekly migraines! I told my OB & he said it was all hormone balance & I may never get them again.
I do get them very infrequently now & they do not get as bad.

Do not just except medication that makes you tired!! Tell them you are caring for a baby & need to be alert. There are so many medications available. If the one you are prescribed is specifically for migraines, take it ASAP so it can block it from getting any worse.

The Dr. may send you for an MRI. Do not be scared by that.(I was!) They just have to make 100% sure there is nothing wrong physically. Mine came out normal. Just use it as a chance to take a nap!! You can sleep in it. Ask for music headphones there.
Take care!

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K.V.

answers from Columbus on

I had a similar problem with my first son. Go to the doctor and demand that he check your thyroid. I had post partum thyroidosis. They will not usually check it unless you claim you have depression as well but please don't let it go that long. I took a synthetic thyroid hormone for a month and that corrected the problem.

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L.G.

answers from Lima on

Did you have an epidural?? It sounds exactly complications that a friend of mine had as a result of an epidural. Hers eventually went away, but it took a while. They can easily "hit" something a little wrong when they do it, but it doesn't mean serious permanent injury.

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B.M.

answers from Columbus on

Did you have an epidural? I've heard that sometimes if the spinal fluid leaks it can cause severe headaches for a while after delivery.

Also, I had horrible sweating after having my 3 kids and I was incredibly weapy. I do think both of those things are hormones. I believe a few weeks to a couple of months was how long it lasted.

take care!

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D.K.

answers from Indianapolis on

This could very well be. However, it could be a combination of things. Make SURE you keep track of what you're eating......something - chemical, preservative, dye, ect. could be a contributing factor.

In addition, might want to consider the possibility of a mis-alignment issue. Google the EGOSCUE website and go to head/neck pain. It will tell you what to do. Try it. If it helps, it's probably part of the problem. If not, at least you know.

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S.L.

answers from Columbus on

Dear L.,

I'm so sorry to hear about your symptoms!

Water is very important in treating migraines and other aches and pains. It flushes toxins out of the body, and just brings everything into better balance.

I had frequent migraines beginning when I was 15 years old. Some were hormone related, and others were brought on by other triggers. My best friend's sister is an Integrative M.D., and she always told me to stop eating wheat and dairy products. I thought she was insane! Me, the Queen of cheese & crackers, not eat wheat or dairy?! I didn't follow her advice, and continued to eat what I wanted, and to see my traditional M.D. for medication for the symptoms.

Last year in February I had several health issues going on, and no job or insurance. My friend's sister agreed to see me on a "Friends & family" kind of basis to get my health back on track. Again, the first thing she did was to put me on a diet of wholesome foods, lots of green leafy veggies, and NO dairy (except yogurt with active cultures) or grains (except oats). I was so miserable, I decided to give it a try for two weeks. I was gobsmacked when my symptoms began to disappear almost immediately. Within three days, I was able to walk without the ankle brace I had been wearing for 6 months. by the end of the week, I was able to walk around the block. Within a month, I was walking a mile a day. The best thing is that my new diet completely conquered my chronic migraines and fibromyalgia.

Dr. Sandy told me that dairy aggravates chronic pain issues, and wheat can cause allergies, even to other allergens, to flare up. For the first time in my life, I've lived more than a year without a single dose of pain medication, and I don't have to take prescription allergy meds any more. An OTC decongestant every once in a while is the most I need even in the height of allergy season.

While you are having so much discomfort, try avoiding wheat and dairy completely for two weeks. It takes about two weeks to find out if any diet plan is right for you, and the only way to know is to follow it to the letter. I also avoid sugar (I use honey), potatoes, and other starchy foods that are high on the glycemic index. The only sugar I eat is what's in the 3 oz of dark chocolate I eat each day as a treat. The amazing thing is that I no longer crave the foods that made me sick, and when I have tried them, they hold no appeal any longer. I've broken my addiction to them! Yay!

I know that with our American diet, this sounds preposterous, but I promise you it works if you give it a try. My big bonus was that I lost nearly 40 lbs, and my Body Mass Index went from abysmal to ideal in just a few months.

Good luck, and feel free to send me a private message if you want more information about Dr. Sandy's complete plan.

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C.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

Do you have any fever? The headache, backache,and flu symptoms more sound like infection. Night-sweats and weepiness are definitely totally hormones. It takes months to get your hormones back in balance after having a baby. Watch the other symptoms or if you develop a fever, call your doc and don't let them "snub" you off, be an advocate for yourself and don't take no for an answer.

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R.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

Is your doc your primary care doc, or your ob. Unless they are the same, if you aren't getting a good answer from one, I would go to the other. I don't know when you last spoke to your doc, but I would call again. It sounds like more than you should be having for a month. Taking ibuprofin round the clock, or excedrin for a month isn't an answer for any problem, unless you know the cause of it. All kinds of warning bells are going off for me, and I would become a pain for my doctor until I found the answer.
R.

K.P.

answers from Cleveland on

Did you have an epidural??? Sometimes there is an after effect from the medicine that can cause severe headaches and increased sleepiness(SP) that can last from a few days to several weeks.

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K.D.

answers from Cleveland on

Ok I am no dr and it does sound like good advise from these ladies about infection but I had a friend that had the same sort of stuff going on. She got on a natural progestrone cream from arbonne. I am on it too for other things. It helps with so much and has help so many women I know. A lot of stuff can be caused by our hormones and this just naturally balances them. I have a drs article on it if you or anyone wants it I can email it. Here is the site you can get it at.. www.passion4more.myarbonne.com I have the ingredient list and more info if you want to show it to your dr. A lot of drs are now selling it as it has helped so many.
Good luck!!

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A.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

I had this, not the weeping thought, but all the other symptoms you discribed and it turned out to be an infection. I went through several rounds of medication before I finally got it to clear up. you might want to make sure you don't have an infection. But yes drink lots of water. It will help flush your system of all the meds that you have had and had in the hospital. I know it is really tough to go through this right now but you will get through it.

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L.L.

answers from Evansville on

L. -
I have not been through what you are describing and I'm certainly no nurse or doctor. With having said that, I have attended many women's wellness events and have learned quite a bit about hormones over the past 4 years. I highly recommend Arbonne's natural balancing cream - Prolief. This cream is a bioidentical progesterone cream that is just like the progesterone your own body produces. After having a baby, your progesterone levels are probably very low and could be causing you some problems because it is making your hormones way off balance. Replacing the progesterone with a bioidentical cream at the right time of the month may greatly help getting your hormones back in balance. If you would like more information, just let me know. I use Arbonne's Prolief and have become a consultant due to how this cream affected my life. You can also read about it in all of Dr. John Lee's books.

Good luck & know that this could be a great, natural and easy alternative for you to consider.

L. L.

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B.B.

answers from Indianapolis on

What sort of doctor did you ask? General family doctor or an endocrinologist or OB/GYN?

My suggestion: If you think it's hormones, go to an OB/GYN or endocrinologist for a second opinion. If you already asked the ob/gyn or endocrinologist, find a different one. (I can give you a couple names of doctors I've gone to if you're interested.)

It could be post-partum depression too. Let them know all the symptoms and ask to have a "work-up" (bloodwork) done on the first day of your next period, and then again about day 5 and/or day 10.

With both my girls, I experienced some of what you're experiencing, and it was hormones.

Good luck!

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M.B.

answers from Columbus on

Hi L.,
I had these similar symptoms with two of my babies and it turned out to be mastitis(a breast infection). If you are nursing it is a possibility and definately causes the flu symptoms and sweats. You might have a secondary infection, maybe you should check back with your doc. Best of luck!

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