There are two people close to me in my life who have suffered terribly with migraines during their perimenopausal years.

My sister has always had migraines, but since she has entered perimenopause, they seem hormonally linked to her (now irregular) periods. These are the kinds of headaches that sometimes respond to her medication and other times do not. They can last a day or two, and leave her feeling hungover when they're gone. She has three small children, so cocooning in a dark, quiet room isn't really an option for her.

Greetings,

I have Migraine's 2-3 times a week! My precious Grandmother gave them to me. I do not know how she did it on Excedrin alone for 79 years.

THURSDAY, July 31 (HealthDay News) -- Scientists say they've spotted a gene that may lessen the risk of migraines with aura.

However, the risk is still there, and if the person goes on to develop migraines with aura, this migraine-protective gene actually boosts their risk for stroke.

Migranies and Strokes

Does your migraine put you at a higher risk for heart attack and stroke? A recent study says yes. As a heart attack-survivor and migraine-sufferer, I was surprised to find out -- yes! Read more in my article originally published at MyHealthyHeartInfo.com

THURSDAY, June 26 (HealthDay News) -- Technology may ease migraine and headache pain, two new studies suggest.

"What this tells us is that there are non-medical, non-drug treatments that are effective," said Dr. Stephen Silberstein, director of the Jefferson Headache Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, who was a co-author on both papers.

One paper found that stimulating the back of the head at the beginning of a migraine attack with a handheld magnetic device significantly reduced pain levels.

Frankly, the last thing I usually want to do is focus on my headaches. The whole thing tends to make my cranky, but in light of National Headache Awareness week, I thought I'd point out a few videos that may actually help.

WATCH THIS: Headache Doctor Bernstein Explains Why Women Should Track Their Migraines

I have horrible headaches around my period. Am I OK? Do most women get headaches like these? Or am I just one of a lucky few?