What to Expect

What The Doctor Might Ask

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:

1. Can you describe the severity and location of your pain?

2. Is the pain pounding? Pulsing? Throbbing?

3. Can you tell me how often you get migraine headaches?

4. Does anything make your headache better or worse?

5. Discuss what medications you take to relieve the pain and how often you take them.

6. Talk about the activities, foods, stressors or situations that may have brought on the migraine.

7. Do you know if anyone in your family gets migraine headaches?

8. How did you feel before, during, and after the headache?

Additionally, the doctor may also order blood tests and imaging tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI, to make sure there aren’t any other underlying causes of the headache.

Common Tests You Should Know About

There are no particular tests to diagnose period migraines. The doctor may ask you to maintain a diary for at least 3 menstrual cycles to help you check whether your migraines are linked to your periods.

To come to the diagnosis of period migraines, the doctor will check for the symptoms, personal history, and any family history.

The doctor might assign the following tests to check for any underlying conditions that are causing the headache.

1. Blood tests: To rule out other conditions that might be causing similar symptoms and to identify potential hormonal imbalances that are causing the migraine.

• Time taken: A CBC test can be performed in a few minutes, and the results are available within 24 hours to the doctor.

• Cost: CBC costs between Rs. 200 to Rs. 500

1. CT Scan: To assess any underlying condition that is causing the headache

• Time taken: 30-60 minutes

• Cost: CT scan costs between Rs. 1500 to Rs. 8000

1. MRI: To assess any underlying condition that is causing the headache

• Time taken: 30-60 minutes

• Cost: MRI costs between Rs. 2500 to Rs. 8000