Premenstrual and menstrual phases of the female reproductive cycle

Definite persistent aura without infarction

"It [visual snow] is worse a day or two before and the first day of [menstruation]."

(Sheri [subject #86], Ezboard forum Visual snow or static – Discussion - Worsening of visual disturbances with premenstrual phase, July 12, 2006; additions in square brackets by Klaus Podoll)

"The worsening symptoms include an underwater-like visual sensation, along with dimming of visuals and a foggier than usual brain."

(Sheri [subject #86], Ezboard forum Visual snow or static – Discussion – Sheri - Questions, July 24, 2006)

"Do any of you find during 'THAT TIME' of the month your T [tinnitus] seems a lot louder? Could it be cause the chemicals in your body totally change during this time? The past few days it's unbearable, relentless... lol Let me know if it's just me... "

(Lena [subject #153], Tinnitus support message board - Support - For the "FEMALES" on the board!, July 24, 2006; additions in square brackets by Klaus Podoll)

"... the therapist told me he noticed that my symptoms [visual snow] are always worse in my period and a week before that, I am not sure he is right..."

(snow1974 [subject #159], Ezboard forum Visual snow or static – Discussion – update, September 5, 2006; additions in square brackets by Klaus Podoll)

"I seem to experience more 'vertigo' like sensations and confusion [around the time of menstruation]."

(Funkybandit [subject #185], Ezboard forum Visual snow or static – Discussion - I've found a home, October 5, 2006)

"I usually have a menstrual-related worsening that lasts about a week- the crap vision will start about a day before and then take about a week to fade back to my normal crappy vision. I end up in bed one day (totally wiped out) and then I'm usually migrainey the whole time too. It seems like its a physiologically taxing process all in all. Being a girl can totally suck sometimes."

(SopuliSusie [subject #405], Yuku forum Visual snow or static - General discussion - Increased Aura Symptoms-Update From Last Week, December 11, 2007)

Probable persistent aura without infarction

"According to my doctor, I am having the persistent aura status without the headache. When it was at its worse, I had visual snow, severe shimmering, halos, floaters, double vision, starbursts... Nowadays it is not really evident any more. It does make an appearance occasionally still, but is not there all the time anymore. It seems that I only even notice it now around my ovulation time and menstruation."

(julesjubie [subject #146], Email to Klaus Podoll, July 11, 2006)

"My vision does on occasion get worse. Much like the few days after the 'aura' of green light, my vision sometimes seems strained and fuzzy, and I feel tired and fatigued. It will become cloudy or slightly blurry and the dots of light will be more bothersome. My eyes will even feel sore and tired. Once, my nose even felt sore to the touch and my tear ducts were tender. This usually happens right before my period and I will get a terrible headache and nausea soon after the vision changes. These episodes will typically last for one or two days before slowly getting back to the normal flashes of light that I experience everyday."

(Tetsuofruit [subject #4], Brain Talk Communities – Specific Neurological Conditions (A-L) – Headache – Migraine with constant aura?, March 29, 2005)

"Snow... gets worse with PMS..."

(ladyangel944 [subject #535], Yuku forum Visual snow or static - General discussion - Sticky - Symptoms we all have, December 28, 2007)

Possible persistent aura without infarction

"Well I have a really irritating symptom at the moment. It is making me feel sick and i wish it would go away. I can smell perfume. The irony is that I actually have no sense of smell or taste due to nasal polyps. But I have got the smell of perfume stuck in my head, I can even taste it and it is giving me heartburn and headache."

(Janey [subject #282], Yuku forum Visual snow or static - Discussion - Migraine aura symptom?, December 5, 2007)

"Yes the headache is getting worse it is in my right temple, down my nose and cheek. I remember when I was a teenager and I used to visit the department store, the smell of very strong perfumes on the fragrances floor used to make me have sickening headaches. That is how I feel now only I have not been to the perfume store. My mind is so mixed up.

K, it is also near my period. Do you think this is definitely migraine nothing worse?"

(Janey [subject #282], Yuku forum Visual snow or static - Discussion - Migraine aura symptom?, December 5, 2007)

"My symptoms have a lot to do with my period. I have just finished a period and during the week before the period I get, chronic fatigue, blurred vision, visual strain, more flashes and sparkles, more anxiety, headache, hallucinations of smells, hallucinations of taste, increased heartburn, tummy aches and bright flashes of light in my eyes during sleep. its all good fun."

(Janey [subject #282], Yuku forum Visual snow or static - General discussion - Increased Aura Symptoms-Update From Last Week, December 11, 2007)

"Also the PMA definitely get worse before a period... especially the flashing lights."

(Janey [subject #282], Yuku forum Visual snow or static - General discussion - What do you believe caused your VS?, January 18, 2008)

References

MacGregor A. Migraine in women. Martin Dunitz, London 1999.

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