BOOK NOW
Request an appointment within 24 hours
The Headache Clinic Logo
$0.00 0

Cart

No products in the cart.

Changes in Menstrual Cycle After Concussion: What You Need to Know

Changes in Menstrual Cycle After Concussion: What You Need to Know

How Concussions Can Affect the Menstrual Cycle

If you’ve noticed changes in your menstrual cycle after a concussion, you’re not alone. Research shows that concussions can disrupt hormonal balance, leading to irregular cycles, missed periods, or abnormal bleeding patterns. Approximately 1 in 10 adolescents experience menstrual changes within 3-4 months post-concussion, while some women report longer-lasting disruptions. [1]

Why Does This Happen?

The brain plays a vital role in regulating hormones, particularly through the pituitary gland, which controls estrogen and progesterone levels. [2] When a concussion occurs, this delicate system can be thrown off balance, leading to:

  • Irregular Menstruation – Women with concussions are more likely to experience unpredictable cycle lengths. [3]

  • Missed Periods (Amenorrhea) – Some may completely miss cycles after a head injury. [4]

  • Abnormal Bleeding – Unusual spotting or heavier/lighter periods can occur post-concussion.

Long-Term Impact on Health

Menstrual cycle changes can persist for months after a concussion. A study on adolescent concussion patients found that 23.5% experienced two or more abnormal menstrual patterns post-injury. [5] Since hormones influence everything from mood to metabolism, these changes can affect overall well-being.

No, Women Aren’t “Small Men” – Why Gender Differences Matter

Studying gender differences in concussions shows the importance of understanding male and female bodies and their unique physical and chemical differences. In the past, medical research often treated women as “small men,” mainly focusing on male subjects and assuming treatments would work the same for women. We now know this is wrong.

Men and women have key differences in brain structure, hormone levels, and recovery that affect how they experience and heal from concussions. This field, called gender-specific medicine, emphasizes the need for healthcare that addresses women’s unique needs. Understanding these differences leads to better concussion management and health outcomes for female patients. [6]

Why Early Concussion Care Matters

The best predictor of a successful concussion recovery is how soon you seek professional care. At the Headache Clinic, we excel in concussion management, ensuring you receive the right treatment at the right time. Our approach includes:

  • Comprehensive concussion assessment to monitor brain function and hormonal health.

  • Personalised treatment plans to support faster recovery.

  • Brainstem desensitisation techniques to improve post-concussion symptoms.

References

  1. Menstrual Cycle Patterns After Concussion in Adolescent Patients
    Roby PR, Grimberg A, Master CL, Arbogast KB. Menstrual cycle patterns after concussion in adolescent patients. J Pediatr. 2023 Nov;262:113349. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.02.002. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36796579/.

  2. The Association Between Migraine and Mental Disorders: A Narrative Review
    Xu J, Kong F, Buse DC, Lipton RB, Minen MT. The association between migraine and mental disorders: A narrative review. Headache. 2023 Feb;63(2):253-265. doi:10.1111/head.14470. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36796579/.

  3. The Molecular Genetics of Migraine: A Review
    Chowdhury D. The molecular genetics of migraine: A review. Ir J Med Sci. 2019 Aug;188(3):831-839. doi:10.1007/s11845-019-02007-6. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11845-019-02007-6.

  4. Menstrual Phase as Predictor of Outcome After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Women
    Wunderle K, Hoeger KM, Wasserman E, Bazarian JJ. Menstrual phase as predictor of outcome after mild traumatic brain injury in women. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2014 Sep-Oct;29(5):E1-E8. doi:10.1097/HTR.0000000000000006. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5237582/.

  5. Snook ML, Alderman BL, Fenton LK, et al. Association of concussion with abnormal menstrual patterns in adolescent and young women. JAMA Pediatr. 2017;171(9):879-886. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.1140. Available from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2633491.

  6. Moore IS, McCarthy-Ryan M, Palmer D, Perkins J, Verhagen E. Is your system fit for purpose? Female athlete health considerations for rugby injury and illness surveillance systems. Eur J Sport Sci. 2024;24(12):1688-1700. doi:10.1002/ejsc.12089. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ejsc.12089.

Jaw pain can affect far more than your jaw.

For many people, it shows up as a dull ache through the face, tightness around the temples, headaches, clicking when chewing, or a jaw that feels stiff or difficult to open. It may also come with teeth grinding at night, tension through the neck, or the sense that your jaw simply does not move the way it should.

These symptoms are often linked to TMD, also known as temporomandibular disorder. Many people call it “TMJ”, but that is actually the name of the joint itself. The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the joint that connects your jaw to your skull. When that joint, and the muscles and nerves around it, are not functioning well, it can lead to ongoing pain and dysfunction.

At The Headache Clinic, we are experts in complex conditions involving the head, neck and jaw. That means we look deeper than the obvious symptom. If your jaw is painful, tight, clicking, locking, or contributing to headaches, we focus on finding the true driver of the problem and treating it with precision.

What is TMD?


Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a condition affecting the jaw joint and the muscles that control jaw movement. It can cause pain, stiffness, restricted movement, and a range of symptoms through the face, head and neck.

Because the jaw is used constantly for talking, chewing, swallowing and yawning, even mild dysfunction can become highly disruptive. For some people, symptoms come and go. For others, they become persistent and start to affect sleep, eating, concentration and quality of life.

Common symptoms of TMD:


TMD can present in different ways, but common symptoms include:

- Jaw pain or tenderness, often around the joint or muscles
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds with jaw movement
- Difficulty opening the mouth fully or reduced range
- Jaw locking, catching, or stiffness
- Pain when chewing, talking, or prolonged mouth use
- Facial pain or a sense of pressure
- Headaches, particularly through the temples
- Clenching or grinding of the teeth, especially at night
- Neck pain and increased muscular tension
- Pain around the ear or a feeling of tightness through the side of the face


In many cases, people do not initially realise their headaches or facial pain could be coming from the jaw.

Why does TMD happen?


TMD rarely has one single cause. More often, it develops because several factors combine over time and place ongoing strain on the jaw joint and surrounding muscles.

Common contributors include:

- Stress and tension
- Teeth clenching or grinding, also called bruxism
- Excessive gum chewing
- Previous jaw injury
- Joint irritation or arthritic change
- Muscle tension through the jaw, face and neck
- Poor coordination between the jaw and upper neck

This is why generic advice does not always work. A mouthguard may help protect the teeth. Resting the jaw may ease symptoms briefly. But if the underlying dysfunction is still there, the pain often returns.

Why jaw problems often trigger headaches


The jaw, head and upper neck are closely connected. When the jaw is not moving properly, the surrounding muscles often become tense and overworked. This can refer pain into the temples, cheeks, behind the eyes and into the head.

For some people, this creates a repeating cycle. The jaw becomes tight, headaches become more frequent, the neck stiffens, and clenching increases, especially during sleep or times of stress.

That is why effective treatment needs to look beyond the jaw alone.

Why TMD is often missed or poorly treated


TMD is common, yet it is often not treated in a truly specialised way.

Many people are told to avoid chewy foods, wear a splint, or do a few basic exercises. While those strategies can sometimes help, they may not resolve the deeper issue if the real problem involves joint restriction, muscle dysfunction, neural irritation, or an associated neck problem.

This is where a more skilled and targeted approach can make all the difference.

At The Headache Clinic, treating jaw disorders is not an afterthought. It is part of our niche with complex head, neck and facial conditions.

Our approach to TMJ and TMD treatment


We provide a expert hands-on physiotherapy approach for people experiencing jaw pain, clenching, grinding, restricted movement and jaw-related headaches.

Your treatment is tailored to the structures actually involved in your symptoms. Depending on your presentation, this may include:

- Targeted treatment to the jaw joint
- Hands-on therapy for the surrounding muscles
- Treatment of associated neck dysfunction
- Careful work around facial and neural tension
- Restoring normal jaw movement and control
- Reducing the cycle of stiffness, overactivity and clenching
- Our aim is not simply to help you cope.

Our goal is to improve how the jaw and surrounding system function, so you can get lasting relief and return to eating, speaking and moving comfortably.

Book now

Is clenching and grinding a sign of TMD?


It can be.

Clenching and grinding often place significant load on the jaw joint and the muscles around it. Over time, this can lead to soreness, restricted movement, facial tension, worn teeth and headaches, especially on waking.

For some people, clenching is the main driver. For others, it is part of a broader pattern involving the jaw, neck and nervous system. Either way, it is worth assessing properly rather than simply assuming a night guard will solve it.

When should you seek treatment for jaw pain?

ou should consider an assessment if you have:

- Persistent jaw pain or tightness
- Clicking or locking of the jaw
- Difficulty opening your mouth fully
- Pain when chewing
- Frequent headaches with facial or temple tension
- Teeth grinding or clenching at night
- Ongoing symptoms that are not improving

You do not need to wait until symptoms become severe. Early treatment can often prevent the problem becoming more entrenched.

Why patients choose The Headache Clinic


People come to us because they want more than temporary relief.

They want a clear explanation of what is going on, a clinician who understands the connection between the jaw, head and neck, and a treatment plan that is specific to them.

At The Headache Clinic, we combine clinical expertise with a careful, hands-on approach that is designed to uncover and address the true cause of your symptoms. For patients with TMD, that often means finally feeling understood after months or even years of frustration.

Book a TMJ assessment

If you are dealing with jaw pain, clicking, clenching, grinding, headaches or restricted jaw movement, we are here to help.

Book your assessment today and take the first step towards a more comfortable jaw, fewer headaches, and relief that lasts.
Book now

Changes in Menstrual Cycle After Concussion: What You Need to Know

The Headache Clinic Logo
  • New Zealand Wide
about us
Expert headache, migraine and concussion care, focused on getting to the source of your symptoms for lasting relief.
Quick Links
Contact Us
Policies

© 2026 | The Headache Clinic | All Rights Reserved | Designed by