Everybody with migraine has completely different experiences, wants and triggers. However for trans individuals, there might be further elements to contemplate. Hormone remedy, surgical procedure and excessive ranges of stress and trauma can all have an effect on migraine. In addition to this, the obstacles usually skilled round accessing healthcare implies that residing with migraine might be notably difficult for the trans neighborhood.
This weblog seems at a number of the key challenges concerned in residing with migraine as a trans individual.
Phrases we use on this weblog
Trans (or transgender) persons are individuals whose gender identification doesn’t correspond with the intercourse they have been assigned at beginning. We additionally use the time period trans on this weblog to consult with non-binary individuals, who don’t determine as both a person or a girl. It’s necessary to notice that not all trans individuals with migraine could have the identical experiences and wishes.
Hormone remedy and migraine
Hormone remedy is a standard therapy for trans individuals. It’s possible you’ll take testosterone if you’re a trans man and oestrogen if you’re a trans lady.
It’s necessary to notice that if in case you have migraine with aura, you shouldn’t take oral oestrogen (tablets or drugs) as hormone remedy. That is due to a really small, however important improve within the danger of stroke. Your physician could prescribe topical types of oestrogen that you simply apply to your pores and skin, like patches, gel or spray as a substitute.
The goal of hormone remedy is to make you are feeling extra comfy in how you feel and look. However how would possibly it have an effect on your migraine?
Migraine and hormones are carefully linked. In individuals with a feminine reproductive system, a drop in oestrogen ranges is thought to be a migraine set off. Nevertheless, taking ‘exogenous’ hormones (hormones from exterior the physique) also can have a huge impact in your migraine.
Though there isn’t a lot proof on this space, research have proven that:
- trans ladies taking oestrogen could expertise a rise in frequency of migraine assaults
- trans ladies might also begin experiencing migraine with aura for the primary time
- trans males taking testosterone could expertise a lower in migraine assault frequency.
Each individual responds in another way to hormone remedy. If you’re taking hormone remedy as a part of your transition, it’s necessary to have your hormone ranges checked often. It’s a good suggestion to maintain a document of your migraine assaults too, so you may discuss to your physician should you discover a change in frequency. You need to use our headache diary to assist with this.
It’s necessary that your GP or marketing consultant is conscious of any migraine medicines you’re taking if you’re beginning hormone remedy. Examine with them earlier than beginning any new migraine medicines too. They will ensure that there are not any interactions between completely different medicines.
Surgical procedure and migraine
If you’re contemplating surgical procedure to take away your womb or ovaries as a part of your transition, it’s additionally necessary to pay attention to potential results in your migraine. When executed for causes aside from gender transition, this surgical procedure usually results in migraine getting worse. That is because of the sudden drop in hormones after the surgical procedure.
This will not be the case when you’ve the surgical procedure as a part of your transition, as you’ll normally be established on testosterone hormone remedy beforehand. This implies you might be much less prone to expertise such a dramatic change in hormone ranges after surgical procedure. If you’re contemplating surgical procedure as a part of your transition, discuss to your physician in regards to the potential results in your migraine. They will let you know what to anticipate and enable you to to plan forward for this if crucial.
It could be useful to maintain a headache diary to trace any modifications earlier than and after surgical procedure.
Stress and trauma
When you’ve got migraine, you’ll possible be all too conscious of the affect it could have in your wellbeing. Looking for a therapy that helps can create extra nervousness and stress. This could find yourself in a vicious cycle, as stress could be a set off for migraine, making the scenario even worse.
On high of this, trans individuals usually have even greater ranges of stress and trauma. This may be because of the stigma, discrimination and emotions of discomfort and misery (gender dysphoria) that usually include life as a trans individual. It’s potential this may occasionally result in trans individuals experiencing extra frequent and extreme migraine assaults.
If this is a matter for you, you might discover emotional assist similar to counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Remedy (CBT) useful. Some individuals additionally discover connecting with others of their communities who could have related experiences useful as effectively. GIRES – the Gender Identification Analysis & Training Society – have a listing the place you could find assist in your space.
You may as well contact our assist providers right here at The Migraine Belief.
Getting assist as a trans individual
We all know that trans individuals usually have damaging experiences in terms of accessing healthcare providers. It would make you extra hesitant to hunt assist in terms of your migraine. Not all healthcare professionals could have expertise in treating trans individuals with migraine. It might probably assist to coach your self on this space as a lot as potential. It could additionally assist to speak issues over with supportive relations or pals – you might need to carry somebody with you as an ally to any appointments.
You may additionally think about searching for a healthcare supplier who’s LGBTQ+ pleasant. Peer teams and pharmacists might be able to assist signpost to LGBTQ+-friendly GPs in your space. You may as well ask to examine follow insurance policies. In the event you really feel your GP isn’t useful or supportive on this space, it’s OK to search for one other one.
When you’ve got questions regarding something on this weblog or want assist then we’re right here for you – discover out extra about how one can get assist.
The next organisations provide assist with accessing well being care as a trans individual:
- Switchboard – the nationwide LGBTQIA+ assist line
Helpline – 0800 0119 100
switchboard.lgbt - LGBT Basis – nationwide LGBTQ+ charity
Helpline – 0345 3 30 30 30
lgbt.basis - The Rainbow undertaking – charity dedicated to enhancing the well being and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ individuals in Northern Eire
rainbow-project.org - LGBT Well being and Wellbeing – Scotland’s well being and wellbeing charity for LGBTQ+ adults
Helpline – 0800 464 7000
lgbthealth.org.uk - Umbrella Cymru – enhancing the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals and their households in Wales
umbrellacymru.co.uk
