7.4 Migraines
177
7.4.2 Hormonal Migraines
Description
■ Paroxysmal, mostly one-sided headaches that can be cycle-related (often at the onset of
the period)
■ Accompanying symptoms include: nausea, vomiting, light sensitivity, and visual distur-
bances
■ Onset during pregnancy or menopause rare – these are periods that are generally
symptom-free
■ Duration: several hours
Point Prescription
French points
■ Hormonal points:
Gynaecological Axis
(
›
6.12.5),
Progesterone
(
›
6.6.3),
Oestrogen
(
›
6.6.4) /
Ovary
(
›
6.5.2),
Gonadotropin
(
›
6.6.7)
■ Analgesic point:
Analgesia 1
(
›
6.7.5)
■ Psychological points:
Antidepressant Point
(
›
6.8.5)
Haldol
(
›
6.8.6),
Omega Axis
(
›
6.12.1)
■ Stabilising points:
Liver
(
›
6.4.1),
Laterality Point
(
›
6.8.6)
Chinese points
■ Analgesic points:
Shen Men
(55)
(
›
6.7.2),
Occiput (29)
(
›
6.7.4),
Thalamus (26a)
(
›
6.7.4)
Hormone medication, e.g. the contraceptive pill, can alleviate hormonal migraines but
also trigger them. Therapy with auricular acupuncture is certainly preferable to hormone
therapy.
Treatment Intervals
Depending on the frequency of the migraines:
■ Migraine once monthly: treat twice monthly, one of the treatments should be 2–3 days
before the period is due
■ Migraines > once monthly: treat once weekly, with one of the treatments 2–3 days be-
fore the period is due
Treatment Course and Prognosis
The longer the duration of the disorder, the longer the treatment course; the first treatment
course is generally approximately 6 months; in particular at the start of treatments patient
compliance is very important: triggers such as red wine, draft, and stress should be avoided!
■
Short-term:
reduction of analgesic medication due to decreased pain intensity
■
Medium-term:
extension of symptom-free intervals
■
Long-term:
complete recovery
box
