More women than men get headaches, and it’s thought hormones play a part. But there are lots of other triggers. Whether you want to fix an eyestrain headache, you’re looking for a hangover headache cure, or you’re dealing with a headache after sex or exercise, we’ve got the tips you need. Here’s how to get rid of a headache fast, and what you need to watch out for.
Headaches are a common health issue for both women and men. But research shows women get them more often.
According to figures from the US National Center for Health Statistics, about 1 in 5 women had a bad headache or migraine in a 3-month period in 2018, compared with about 1 in 10 men.
So how can you cure a headache? Here’s what you need to know:
“About 90% of headaches are thought to be tension-type headaches,” says Dr Ann. “And more women get these headaches than men.”
If tension headaches are getting in the way of your daily life, don’t put up with them.
It may be that you have a ‘chronic’ tension headache – usually defined as having a tension headache on at least 15 days in a month, for at least 3 months. If so, your doctor may be able to prescribe medicines to prevent them.
A headache is a common symptom of a hangover. “How much hangover headaches affect you depends on various things, including how much alcohol and water you drink, and your tolerance to alcohol,” says Dr Ann.
“There are 2 common ways to deal with hangover headaches,” says Dr Ann.
Ease the pain by:
Prevent a hangover headache by:
If you’re getting hangovers regularly and think you’re drinking too much, speak to your doctor for advice on cutting down or quitting.
You should also get medical help if your hangover symptoms are very bad or you have signs of dehydration or alcohol poisoning, including:
Can dehydration cause headaches? Yes – when your body doesn’t get enough of the fluids it needs, this can lead to head pain.
Dehydration is often thought to trigger or worsen other types of headaches you might be prone to, such as tension headaches or migraines.
the pain can vary from mild to severe
it’s often described as a pounding or pulsating pain
“If you suspect your headaches are caused by dehydration, use these 2 approaches to tackle them,” says Dr Ann.
Dehydration can be dangerous, so seek urgent medical advice if you have the following alongside your headache:
If your headache is severe and doesn’t go away, it could also be caused by something other than dehydration, so get it checked out.
As well as cough, fever and loss of smell or taste (anosmia), common signs of COVID-19 include a long list of flu-like symptoms – including headache.
Most cases of COVID-19 are mild, especially if you’re fully vaccinated. Self-care measures to treat symptoms, including COVID headache relief, include:
The majority of people have mild symptoms and can usually manage COVID-19 at home. But the virus is unpredictable and can sometimes become more serious, so it’s important to keep an eye on your symptoms.
Always seek medical advice if you aren’t sure, your symptoms persist, or you’re in a high-risk group. You should call an ambulance or go to your local emergency department if you feel so breathless you cannot talk, feel dizzy or confused.
Read more about when to see a doctor about COVID-19.
Migraine headaches can have a really big effect on your life, causing severe pain and sickness that’s bad enough to need time off work. And according to the Office on Women’s Health, about 75% of people who get migraines are women.
Read more about migraines, including symptoms, types and triggers.
Simple painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be effective for migraines. But long-term painkiller use can make it harder to treat headaches over time (read more about painkiller headaches).
And prevention is often better than cure. Knowing your migraine triggers and avoiding them can be an effective way to stop them happening, or reduce their severity.
To work out your triggers, keep a migraine diary and record:
Preventative medication can also be helpful at stopping an attack happening in the first place. These have to be prescribed by your doctor.
Read more about how to prevent migraines and treatments for migraines.
See your doctor if you have:
Certain symptoms may be a sign of a more serious condition, such meningitis or a stroke. Get emergency medical help if you have:
According to the Office on Women’s Health, more than half of migraines in women are linked to the menstrual cycle – happening just before, during, or after their periods.
Sometimes known as ‘menstrual migraines’, hormone-related headaches can also be caused by oral contraception such as the combined pill, pregnancy, or the menopause.
Find out more about symptoms, causes and treatments for hormone headaches.
If keeping a headache diary shows that your headaches happen around the time of your period, try these steps to help prevent them:
If self-care tips don’t help and regular hormonal headaches are affecting your daily life, talk to your doctor.
They may be able to prescribe migraine medication to help prevent monthly attacks, as well as changing your method of contraception, if this is playing a part in your headaches.
Sinus headaches are often confused with tension headaches or migraines, but they’re much less common.
If you think you have a sinus headache, it’s a good idea to see your doctor before trying to treat it yourself. If it is a sinus headache, you may need medication to treat the infection.
But these self-care tips can help relieve symptoms:
See your doctor if you think you might have a sinus headache – that way you can start treatment as soon as possible, if you need it.
Or if it isn’t a sinus infection, your doctor will be able to diagnose your symptoms and recommend suitable treatment.
Exercise can sometimes be a trigger for headaches, which can sometimes be referred to as ‘jogger’s headache’ or ‘weightlifter’s headache’.
It’s thought that over-exertion is responsible for this type of headache, which can come on suddenly after you’ve been active – including after sex – but the exact cause is unknown.
The easiest way to avoid this kind of headache is to change the workout routine that triggers them – either by stopping or modifying it. You can also take painkillers to manage the pain.
Some studies suggest certain supplements may help, including coenzyme Q10, feverfew, magnesium, riboflavin and Boswellia (a natural anti-inflammatory). But evidence for these is limited, and more research is needed. It’s always best to check with your pharmacist or doctor before trying a new supplement.
Most exercise-triggered headaches fade within hours. But see a doctor if you get headaches when you exercise, so they can check what might be causing it.
Although painkillers can be an effective way to manage headache pain, they can actually trigger more headaches if you use them too often. Painkiller or ‘medication overuse’ headaches usually happen if you use painkillers for more than 15 days a month.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), painkiller headaches can affect up to 5% of some populations, with more women than men affected.
Treatment involves stopping taking the painkillers, but you may need to do this with the help of your doctor. Find more about treating painkiller headaches.
These rare headaches are extremely painful attacks that affect 1 side of the head, often around the eye. They’re much more common in men than women.
They can be treated with medication or oxygen therapy. In some cases, preventative treatment may also be needed.
Read more about the symptoms and treatment of cluster headaches.
Also called giant cell arteritis, this is a condition when the arteries at the sides of your head (temples) become inflamed – which can cause frequent, severe headaches.
It needs urgent treatment, so if you suddenly develop a severe headache along with pain at the temples, jaw pain or other symptoms, get medical advice right away.
Find out about temporal arteritis treatment.
Not particularly common, these sudden, striking headaches can be a sign of bleeding in the brain. You will often get additional symptoms such as vomiting, being sick or feeling faint, and need to seek immediate medical attention.
It’s always worth asking your nearest pharmacy for help treating headaches – they can recommend suitable pain-relief drugs, as well as supplements that might help. They’re also generally open at times when your doctor may not be available.
Remember, headaches are very common – they’re rarely a sign of anything serious.
But certain symptoms mean you should see a doctor to check for an underlying cause, or get urgent medical help – so check these headache red flags.
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.