article_snippet: Claire is not the only woman suffering from this commonly misdiagnosed side-effect of the menstrual cycle.
article_snippet: ‘The most common cause is a drop in oestrogen towards the end of the cycle.
article_snippet: This hormone is released at the start of This hormone, and levels rise, eventually triggering ovulation and an egg’s release.
article_snippet: Progesterone is released and prepares the womb lining for a fertilised egg.
article_snippet: If pregnancy doesn’t occur, both levels drop and cause a period.
article_snippet: It’s this sudden drop that triggers a migraine as the body deals with the hormone withdrawal.
article_snippet: Claire says hormones used in contraceptives, such as the Pill, coil and patch put all women of menstruating age at risk — but those in their 30s and 40s more so.
article_snippet: This is because hormone levels fluctuate more in the years building up to the menopause, mean ing the drop in oestrogen and therefore withdrawal symptoms are greater,’ Claire reveals.