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A 44-year-old member asked:

What causes headaches to increase during pregnancy?

3 doctor answers19 doctors weighed in
Dr. Marilynn Frederiksen
Maternal-Fetal Medicine 49 years experience
Headaches: Headaches in pregnancy can be related to the hormonal changes which occur early in pregnancy, especially for women with migraine headaches. Frequency of headaches can increase early in pregnancy and then as pregnancy progresses decrease in frequency. Headaches in late pregnancy can be a sign of the pregnancy complication pre-eclampsia. Late pregnancy headaches are warning signs to call your doctor.
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Dr. Peter Kurzweil
Internal Medicine 52 years experience
Same causes +unique: All usual causes can occur during pregnancy, however, there are unique causes that may be serious. A hypertensive reaction, state of sodium (salt) retention that increases bp, a disorder called eclampsia or per-eclampsia with severe edema and/or BP and/or form of nephritis all could lead to headache. So, if any persistent ha, check with ob, who may request medical consultation with internist.
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Dr. Nikolaos Zacharias
Maternal-Fetal Medicine 28 years experience
Hormones.: Estrogen and Progesterone skyrocket during pregnancy and lower the migraine and headache threshold for predisposed women. Obese women can have pseudotumor cerebri and any woman may have preeclampsia. Stress can always cause tension headache. Acetaminophen (+/- codeine) is the mainstay of therapy during pregnancy. Metoclopramide 10 mg when taken with tylenol (acetaminophen) 1000 mg is very effective and safe!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

United Kingdom
A 30-year-old female asked:

Could pregnancy cause headaches and if so what's best way to cure them?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Christopher Wilson
Sleep Medicine 23 years experience
Yes: Pregnancy can cause headaches through a number of ways from hormone fluctuations to poor sleep to hypercoaguable states to pseudotumor cerebri. It's best to get checked out.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
St Clair Shores, MI
A 24-year-old female asked:

What can cause headaches/migraines in pregnancy at 15 weeks?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Heidi Fowler
Psychiatry 27 years experience
There are a great: Deal of hormone changes in the body during pregnancy. This can trigger headaches/ migraines. Please d/w your obstetrician. Take care.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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Last updated Apr 1, 2023

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