Debunking the Myths About Headache
Headache is an extremely common part of the female experience. However, there
are still many myths about headache which prevail. Below, four of the most
common headache myths are debunked.
- Just because headache is common doesn't mean that it's normal.
This is the most significant headache myth. Despite the out-dated stigma
about people with migraine or other recurrent headache being malingerers,
weak, neurotic, or having a mental illness, headache is a real, legitimate,
biologic syndrome that can be prevented, treated, and managed.
- If I have severe, recurrent headaches, I might have a brain tumor.
While brain tumors are a possibility, they are RARE. If you are worried
about this, that's all the more reason to see your doctor sooner rather than
later.
- If my partner says, "Not tonight dear, I have a headache", it means
they just aren't interested in having sex. While that may be
one option, chances are much more likely that they really have a headache!
Headache can definitely dampen or eliminate libido, especially a migraine
or cluster headache. For tension headaches, you can actually comfort
your partner with a massage, support and understanding- often for your mutual
benefit.
- I've had these headaches for years; there's nothing that works.
Not necessarily. There are several new treatments that have
become available in the past few years; just because one or two haven't worked
for you doesn't mean there aren't others that will. If you haven't gotten
useful medical advice from your current physician(s), ask for a referral to
a headache specialist.
Created: 12/10/2003 - Donnica Moore, M.D.
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