#Migraine with aura during pregnancy how to#

It becomes less frequent and less severe, likely due to associated hormonal changes. Generally speaking, that's the time when migraine improves. What Happens to Migraine During the Second Trimester of Pregnancy? There is a higher chance of secondary headache in the setting of pregnancy due to hypercoagulability (an increased vulnerability to clotting). One important point is that if the headache becomes severe or unresponsive to even conservative treatments, healthcare providers will be concerned about secondary causes. It's a time when migraine clinical features can change. For example, if they had visual aura in the past, they may have sensory or language aura as well. In some cases, women may experience aura for the first time or have a change in aura features. What Happens to Migraine During Early Pregnancy and the First Trimester?įor some women, migraine worsens within the first trimester of pregnancy. The general rule with other preventive medications is to reduce them as much as possible or stop them while trying to conceive, or as early as possible in the pregnancy. There is evidence that both divalproex sodium (Depakote) and topiramate (Topamax) can cause fetal abnormalities. Topiramate (Topamax), while not absolutely contraindicated, is not advisable during pregnancy. Some, like divalproex sodium (Depakote), are known to be absolutely contraindicated. Generally speaking, women are not discouraged from using acute migraine medications during the time they are trying to conceive, but they should reconsider whether they can take the medication once they know they're pregnant.Ĭoncerning preventive therapy, different medications have different levels of risk associated with pregnancy. Headache specialists encourage women who are using acute medications to be actively aware of when they might be pregnant. That means that if a woman conceives and then takes an acute medication, it's going to be out of her system without significant potential to affect the fetus or the pregnancy within that window of time. The acute treatments for migraine have short half-lives triptans, gepants, the ditan lasmiditan (Reyvow), and nonsteroidals are not going to be in the system for very long. Healthcare providers like to minimize medication use of all kinds during pregnancy.

#Migraine with aura during pregnancy how to#

It’s important to think about what to expect with migraine in terms of pregnancy, as well as how to change migraine therapies when trying to conceive and during pregnancy itself. This is a question that healthcare providers are asked often since migraine affects 25 percent or more of women of childbearing age. How Should Someone Treat Migraine While They’re Trying to Conceive? Learn more about your treatment options, what to expect with migraine while you're expecting, and migraine management while breastfeeding. If you're trying to conceive or are pregnant, you likely have a lot of questions about how to most safely manage your migraine effectively.