Let’s see, your head is pounding and your eyes seem fuzzy–it’s just a headache, right? What about that throbbing pain in your eyes? Just another headache, too? There are cases in which, yes, it is just another headache, but what if it is something more? Your headache might actually be the cause of stress, hormones, or even dental related problems, such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Each woman is different, but there are some headache triggers that are seen more often than others. Let’s explore a few triggers:

It’s Stress Related

The number one reason why women experience headaches is stress. When you are stressed, it can trigger a cascade of hormones that put your body into fight-or-flight mode. As a result, your muscles tighten and it triggers a headache. While learning that your headache is stress related might be frustrating, it is important to try to find ways to ditch daily stress.

Hormones are the Culprit

A woman’s monthly fluctuations of progesterone and estrogen affect everything, so it is no surprise that one of the most common symptoms of PMS is a headache. Menstrual headaches are common, but if yours are lasting longer than a day or two, your hormones might be out-of-whack and will need to be checked. Getting your hormones under control might mean improved headache symptoms.

They’re Dental Related

Yes, headaches can stem from dental health care issues, too. Pain in your teeth (whether it is due to decay or disease), and pain in your jaw (from tightness or TMD), can show up as a headache. This is called referred pain, which is a very common symptoms of dental issues. You should already be visiting your dentist twice a year for regular checkups, but if you have a headache that just won’t disappear, it is worth scheduling an appointment for further care.

Contact Dr. Mayoor Patel at Craniofacial Pain & Dental Sleep Center of Georgia for more information on how your headache might be dental related.