Women, pregnancy and breastfeeding
Women get it less often, but just as hard. In pregnancy oxygen stays the first choice.
Cluster headache is more common in men, so women are often diagnosed later. During pregnancy attacks usually stay just as severe, so treatment is still needed.
What doctors usually offer
- For an attack, oxygen is the first choice: it is safe for the baby.
- If oxygen does not help, the doctor may discuss sumatriptan.
- For prevention, verapamil and a short prednisolone course are considered most often.
- Many other drugs are best avoided in pregnancy; the doctor decides together with an obstetrician.
There are no official guidelines specifically for pregnant women with cluster headache yet; advice rests on expert experience and small observations. Do not change treatment on your own; discuss it with a neurologist in advance, ideally when planning a pregnancy.