For those who have not experienced a migraine, perhaps it would seem just another headache. But for someone like me who has suffered through migraines that will last over a week even with medication, I can definitely tell you that it's much more. The ache is not confined to the head; it's the whole experience. Nausea, sensitivity to light, and throbs so bad it makes simple tasks unbearable. It also comes with an emotional burden—the loneliness and frustration are pretty unbearable. Through the years, realizing how hormones are also implicated in triggering and exacerbating my migraines has helped change the game in my dealing with these episodes.

What are Hormonal Migraines?

Hormonal migraines are caused by fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, the two main female hormones. These hormones are essential for the reproductive system, regulating menstrual cycles and pregnancy. They also have an effect on brain chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine, which affect mood and pain perception. When hormone levels fluctuate, such as during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause, they can destabilize the pathways in the brain, causing migraines.

According to Dr. Shivananda Pai, Consultant Neurology, migraines are more than a neurological disorder. "Migraines represent a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. In women, hormonal fluctuations are a critical trigger that amplifies sensitivity to pain," he explains. Hormonal headaches are particularly challenging because they are influenced by multiple life stages, from puberty to post-menopause. Common causes include:

• Menstrual periods: Estrogen levels significantly drop just before menstruation often triggers a migraine.
• Pregnancy: Hormones can act to relieve symptoms or aggravate them during different times of pregnancy.
• Menopause: The hormonal fluctuation during menopause can intensify a migraine, while some women tend to find relief.
• Hormonal therapies: Birth control and HRT tend to level off hormone balances in some individuals but will exacerbate a migraine in others.

Complex Role of Hormones in Women’s Neurological Health

Estrogen and Neurological Health

Estrogen, often called the "hormone of femininity", does more than regulate reproductive functions. It is a powerful influencer of brain health. Estrogen modulates the activity of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which regulates mood and pain perception, and dopamine, associated with reward and pleasure.

During stages of hormonal stability, like in pregnancy's latter months, women may have fewer migraines because of the steady elevation of estrogen. However, a sudden downfall in estrogen destabilizes these chemicals in the brain, sending a heightened sensitivity for migraine triggers.

Menstrual Migraines

The most common form of hormonal migraines is menstrual migraines, which occur in response to the steep decline in estrogen levels just before menstruation. These are typically more intense and less responsive to standard treatment. The timing of these migraines provides clear evidence of the role hormones play in neurological health.

Pregnancy and Hormonal Shifts

Pregnancy is a rollercoaster of hormones. Although many women experience relief from migraines as a result of the constantly elevated levels of estrogen, some women, particularly in the first trimester, worsen. This individual variability is a characteristic of hormonal migraine triggers.

Hormonal Therapies and Management of Migraine

Hormonal treatments, such as oral contraceptives and HRT, have had mixed reviews regarding their use in managing migraine. Some women fare better with the stabilization the treatment provides, whereas others suffer worsening symptoms. This will depend on the nature and dose of the hormones used.

Post-Menopause: Migraine Remission or Continued Struggles?

For most women, menopause brings relief from their migraines. The decline in frequency and severity often accompanies stability in hormone levels. Even so, the susceptibility remains with some towards other forms of triggers including stress and sleep deprivation, not to forget diet-related factors and continues the saga of migraines well after the menopausal stages.

Effect on Neurological Health Due to Hormonal Changes

The relationship of hormones to neurological health goes beyond migraines. Hormonal changes have profound effects on a woman's brain in general.

Mood Disorders: Estrogen helps stabilize mood by regulating serotonin. Its decline at menopause increases the risk of mood swings and depression.

Neurodegenerative Diseases: Estrogen is neuroprotective, stimulating the growth and repair of brain cells. Its absence in post-menopausal women has been associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and cognitive decline.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Hormonal cycles may affect the course of MS, a disease that occurs more frequently in women than in men. Estrogen's anti-inflammatory effects provide transient protection during pregnancy, reducing relapse rates in women with MS.

"The intricate interplay between hormones and neurological health underscores the need for gender-specific treatment approaches," says Dr. Pai.

Managing Hormonal Migraines: Practical Strategies

While hormonal changes are inevitable, several strategies can help manage migraines effectively:

1. Tracking Your Cycle

Understanding your menstrual cycle can help identify patterns and predict when migraines might occur. This knowledge allows for preventive measures, such as scheduling medications or adjusting lifestyle habits.

2. Consulting Specialists

Working with a neurologist or gynecologist can help develop a personalized treatment plan. Options might include hormonal therapies, triptans, or preventive medications tailored to your specific needs.

3. Adopting a Healthy Lifestyle

A well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management are all integral parts of managing migraines. For instance, magnesium-rich foods and hydration can help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.

4. Exploring Preventive Therapies

For people with severe or frequent migraines, preventive medications, such as beta-blockers or CGRP inhibitors, may be prescribed. These medications stabilize brain activity and therefore reduce the chances of migraine during hormonal fluctuations.

5. Mind-Body Techniques

Techniques like yoga, meditation, and biofeedback can enhance wellness and reduce the debilitating effects of stress-one of the most common migraine triggers.

Research that was once in its embryonic stage continues to shed more light on the role of hormones in migraines and other neurological conditions. Further breakthroughs in genetic testing might enable doctors to predict, at least in a way, how an individual would react to hormonal therapies. The importance of gender-specific approaches is gradually being realized, which involves differentiating between the plight of women with migraines from others.

As Dr. Pai puts it, "Empowering women with knowledge about the hormonal underpinnings of migraines can lead to better, more personalized care. With the right strategies, migraines can be effectively managed, allowing women to lead fuller, healthier lives.

Migraines are not headaches; they are a complex neurological condition that deeply impacts the lives of millions of women. Understanding the role of hormones in triggering and exacerbating migraines is a vital step toward better management and relief.

Awareness, proactive care, and advances in medical research can help women regain their lives from the grip of hormonal migraines. Whether tracking cycles, adopting healthier habits, or seeking tailored medical care, every step taken toward understanding and managing migraines is a step toward empowerment.

Dr Shivananda Pai is a Consultant Neurology at KMC Hospital Dr B R Ambedkar Circle in Mangalore, India.

Brandes JL. The Influence of Estrogen on Migraine: A Systematic Review. JAMA. 2006;295(15):1824–1830. doi:10.1001/jama.295.15.1824

Sacco S, Ricci S, Degan D, Carolei A. Migraine in women: the role of hormones and their impact on vascular diseases. J Headache Pain. 2012 Apr;13(3):177-89. doi: 10.1007/s10194-012-0424-y. Epub 2012 Feb 26. PMID: 22367631; PMCID: PMC3311830.

Plastic containers have been discouraged for a long time now, especially for heating food or storing hot food. Studies have associated this habit with a heightened risk of cancer, but now an expert has specifically spoken about black plastic containers and what makes them worse for you. According to Dr Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist at M | O | C Cancer Care & Research Centre, Gurugram, cooking or heating food in black containers could be very harmful to your body. Read on to find out how.

Dr Sharma, in an interview with Health and Me, said that cooking food in black plastic receptacles could lead to greater amounts of certain chemicals making their way into your body; however, there currently exists no scientific evidence confirming that this daily activity increases your risk of cancer.

Why is black plastic worse than others?

Dr Sharma explained that black takeaway containers usually consist of recycled plastics, such as e-waste, and can contain flame retardants, BPA, phthalates, etc. When heated in contact with food, especially if the food is hot, fatty, or acidic, more chemicals could potentially make their way into the food from the container. In this way, it may, over time, heighten your risk of developing a malignant tumour.

Black containers are coloured using carbon black, which is included in Group 2B of possible human carcinogens according to IARC, as shown in both animal and limited human research. Moreover, recycled black plastics could contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and decaBDE, which have shown carcinogenic effects in experiments. This makes black plastic containers worse than other coloured counterparts. Yet, heating food in a plastic container of any colour is not deemed safe.

Do studies verify the side effects of heating food in plastic containers?

Experimental studies conducted in laboratories on microwaveable plastic receptacles reveal the migration of tens of chemicals and millions of microplastics per litre of the food simulant. However, a recent study in 2024 reported that containers labelled as microwave-safe in Korea adhered to contemporary safety standards for these levels, and total exposure fell within safe limits.

Leading cancer associations have confirmed that the usage of plastic packaging, even in microwave applications, has not been linked with increased cancer risks in humans, although there is ongoing research in areas such as black plastics. However, precautionary measures are suggested by experts as a better strategy due to the difficulties of directly studying long-term, low-level exposure to chemical compounds.

How to reduce cancer risk?

When it comes to reducing cancer risk, most doctors recommend quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake. However, Dr Sharma listed some basic kitchen and eating habits that may come to your rescue:

1. Avoid cooking food in black plastic packaging, particularly if the food is oily or acidic.
2. Move hot food into glass, ceramic, or stainless steel containers for reheating.
3. Only use microwave-safe containers and discard any broken plastic containers.

Depression in men often does not look like the depression we all know about. It is never visible sadness or a verbal expression of emotional pain. The emotional dish is missing from the life menu of a man.

It hides behind productivity, irritability, exhaustion, or strong discipline. This masking makes it the most underdiagnosed mental health concern, frequently misread as stress, burnout, or simply personality traits.

One of the key barriers in identifying depression in men is the way emotional awareness is shaped from an early age. Many men are conditioned to respond to discomfort through action rather than reflection.

The moment something feels overwhelming, the instinct is not to sit with the feeling but to fix it, outperform it, or suppress it through movement—work, exercise, or distraction.

While this can provide short-term relief, it often delays emotional processing and deepens internal distress over time.

Clinically, this disconnect is often linked to alexithymia—a difficulty in identifying and articulating emotions.

The emotional signal is present, but it does not translate easily into words. Instead of “I am sad” or “I feel afraid,” the experience gets reduced to “I am tired” or “I am stressed.”

This limited emotional vocabulary can significantly affect help-seeking behavior like therapy and counselling, as the man does not recognize the depth or nature of what they are experiencing.

Depression In Men: Poor Physical Health

From a health perspective, unresolved emotional stress is not limited to the mind. It reflects in the body.

Chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches, digestive issues, and muscle tension are some of the symptoms seen.

Men who are very aware tend to see general physicians and not go to mental health professionals, treating physical symptoms while the psychological root remains unattended to.

Another way is externalized emotion. Irritability, anger outbursts, or risk-taking behaviour are often socially accepted expressions of underlying emotional pain.

A man working excessively, exercising compulsively, or withdrawing socially may, in fact, be coping with grief, loneliness, or anxiety, which are socially normal.

Our culture around masculinity complicates diagnosis even more. Strength is seen with emotional control, and vulnerability is seen as weakness.

Most men do not seek psychological support until symptoms become severe or functionally impairing. They struggle to express their internal state, reinforcing the cycle of silence.

Depression In Men: Physiological Indicators

Understanding depression in men requires shifting the lens from visible sadness to behavioral and physiological indicators.

It requires mental health practitioners and caregivers to look beyond surface functionality and recognise that high performance can coexist with deep emotional distress.

Early intervention is very important. Creating environments where emotional language is normalised without judgement or immediate problem-solving can significantly improve the situation. When men are given consistent permission to articulate internal states without fear of stigma, the gap between emotional experience and expression begins to close.

“Expressing your feelings should lead to a deeper connection, not conflict. It should invite empathy, not ego-driven reactions. It should bring relief, not retaliation or emotional punishment. If sharing your pain feels unsafe or punished, you are not in a healthy relationship—you are in an emotional environment where fear has replaced trust.”

Depression in men is not a lack of feeling, but a lack of translation. True healing begins when that translation is finally allowed to happen.

As the world observes Parkinson’s Awareness Month in April, there is a need to renew focus on building awareness, promoting early diagnosis, and strengthening access to treatment for Parkinson’s disease —a progressive neurological condition that affects over 10 million people globally and is among the fastest-growing neurological disorders worldwide.

Despite its increasing prevalence, Parkinson’s disease remains widely misunderstood, often under-recognized, and inadequately treated.

Parkinson’s disease is a long-term, degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, marked by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, which leads to challenges in movement and coordination. While the exact cause is not fully understood, it is believed to result from a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental influences.

Although it is more commonly seen in individuals above 60 years of age, nearly 10–15% of cases occur in those under 50, highlighting the importance of awareness across age groups.

Parkinson’s: Delayed Diagnosis A Concern

A major challenge in managing Parkinson’s disease is delayed diagnosis.

Early symptoms are often subtle and can be mistaken for normal ageing, resulting in delays in seeking medical care. Key motor symptoms include

• tremors at rest,
• slowness of movement,
• muscle stiffness,
• postural instability,
• freezing of gait.

All of these can progressively affect an individual’s mobility and independence.

Beyond motor symptoms, Parkinson’s disease is also associated with a range of non-motor symptoms that are frequently overlooked but have a significant impact on quality of life. These include

• depression,
• anxiety,
• sleep disturbances,
• cognitive changes,
• loss of smell,
• constipation,
• autonomic dysfunction.

Importantly, many of these non-motor symptoms may present years before the onset of motor signs, offering a valuable window for earlier diagnosis and timely intervention.

Parkinson’s Treatment With Deep Brain Stimulation

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by the gradual loss of dopamine-producing cells deep within the brain, leading to both motor and non-motor symptoms that can significantly impact quality of life.

While many patients can be managed effectively with medications in the early stages, a considerable number experience fluctuations in symptom control over time, including ‘on-off’ periods and a reduced response to therapy.

In such situations, advanced treatments like Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) can offer meaningful benefits by modulating abnormal brain circuits and providing more consistent symptom control.

Over the years, DBS has continued to evolve with innovations such as adaptive stimulation, directional leads, and AI-enabled programming, enabling more precise and personalized treatment. From a clinical standpoint, adopting a multidisciplinary approach and evaluating patients at the appropriate stage is critical.

Timely intervention can play a key role in improving long-term outcomes and helping patients maintain independence and functional ability.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month

During Parkinson’s Awareness Month, it is important to emphasize the need for collective action to improve awareness, reduce stigma, and ensure timely access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment for individuals living with Parkinson’s disease.

With ageing populations globally, the overall burden of the disease is expected to rise, underscoring the need for greater investment in research, caregiver support, and healthcare systems.

Patients, families, and caregivers are encouraged to consult a neurologist, neurosurgeon, or visit a movement disorders clinic if symptoms are suspected. Early diagnosis and timely management can play a crucial role in improving long-term outcomes and enhancing quality of life.