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Researchers do not know the exact cause of typical migraine headaches, and it is almost certain that there are multiple causes, some genetic and some environmental. Some theories discussed irritation or injury to the trigeminal nerve; imbalances in important brain chemicals and neurotransmitters such as serotonin; or an imbalance in certain minerals such as magnesium.

We do know that there are a number of different environmental triggers which can cause a migraine headache. These triggers can cause a migraine in people who are genetically prone to migraines, yet not in others.

Fluctuations in estrogen levels appear to cause migraines headaches in some women who have known predisposition to them.  Women sometimes report migraine headaches immediately before or during their periods, when there is a large decrease in the amount of estrogen circulating in the blood. Other women have shown an increase in the number of migraine headaches during pregnancy or menopause, which again would point to a hormonal imbalance.

Given this information, women who suffer from migraine headaches should consider supplementing with hormones such as pregnenolone and progesterone, which are estrogen precursors and are known to help women with certain problems related to hormonal [...]