Headaches Change for Older Women

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

ROCHESTER, Minn. — As women age, and especially after menopause, they often report fewer headaches. That's because during younger, reproductive years, fluctuating hormones can trigger headache pain.

However, if you're past menopause and having headaches for the first time, or if your headaches have gotten worse, talk with your doctor. As you age, head pain can be a symptom of a serious illness.

Among the numerous causes for headaches are conditions that obstruct blood flow to the brain, high blood pressure, brain tumor, glaucoma or a transient ischemic attack, which indicates high risk for stroke.

Most headaches aren't cause for alarm. But if you develop headaches that are very different from ones you've had in the past, an underlying medical condition could be to blame.

The December issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource recommends you seek medical care immediately if you have one or more of these warning signs:

Abrupt, severe headache, often like a thunderclap.

Headache with other signs and symptoms such as fever, stiff neck, rash, mental confusion, seizures, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking.

Headache you would classify as the worst you've ever had.

Headache after head injury, especially if it worsens with time.

Headache caused by coughing, exertion, straining or a sudden movement.

A new headache pattern or a pattern that progressively gets more severe after age 50.

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Mayo Clinic Jacksonville — Erik Kaldor 904-953-2299

Mayo Clinic Scottsdale — Lynn Closway 480-301-4337

Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource is published monthly to help women enjoy healthier, more productive lives. Revenue from subscriptions is used to support medical research at Mayo Clinic. To subscribe, please call 800-876-8633, extension 9PK1.

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