There are a number of ways you can reduce your chances of experiencing migraines.

One of the best ways of preventing migraines is recognising the things that trigger an attack and trying to avoid them. 

You may find you tend to have a migraine after eating certain foods or when you're stressed, and by avoiding this trigger you can prevent a migraine.

Find out more about possible migraine triggers

Keeping a migraine diary can help you identify possible triggers and monitor how well any medicine you're taking is working.

In your migraine diary, try to record:

• the date of the attack
• the time of day the attack began
• any warning signs
• your symptoms (including the presence or absence of aura)
• what medicine you took
• when the attack ended

Medicines are also available to help prevent migraines. These medicines are usually used if you have tried avoiding possible triggers but you're still experiencing migraines.

You may also be prescribed these medicines if you experience very severe migraine attacks, or if your attacks happen frequently.

Topiramate

Topiramate is a type of medicine originally developed to prevent seizures in people with epilepsy, but is now much more commonly used in migraine.

It's been shown to help prevent migraines, and is usually taken every day in tablet form.

Topiramate should be used with caution in people with kidney or liver problems.

It can also harm an unborn baby if taken during pregnancy and can reduce the effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives.

GPs should discuss alternative methods of contraception for women who are prescribed topiramate.

Side effects of topiramate can include:

• decreased appetite
• feeling sick
• being sick
• constipation or diarrhoea
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• problems sleeping

Propranolol

Propranolol is a medicine traditionally used to treat angina and high blood pressure, but it's also been shown to effectively prevent migraines.

It's usually taken every day in tablet form.

Propranolol is not suitable for people with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and some heart problems.

It should be used with caution in people who have diabetes.

Side effects of propranolol can include:

• cold hands and feet
• pins and needles
• problems sleeping
• tiredness

Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline is a medicine originally designed to treat depression, but has also proved useful in helping prevent migraines.

It's usually taken every day in tablet form.

Amitriptyline can make you feel sleepy, so it's best to take it in the evening or before you go to bed.

Other side effects include:

• constipation
• dizziness
• a dry mouth
• difficulty peeing
• a headache

It may take up to 6 weeks before you begin to feel the full benefit of the medicine.

Find out more about amitriptyline

Botulinum toxin type A

In June 2012, NICE recommended the use of a medicine called botulinum toxin type A by headache specialists to prevent headaches in some adults with long-term migraine.

Botulinum toxin type A is a type of nerve toxin that paralyses muscles.

It's not exactly clear why this treatment can be effective for migraine.

NICE recommends that this treatment can be considered as an option for people who have chronic migraine (headaches on at least 15 days of every month, at least 8 days of which are migraine) that has not responded to at least 3 previous preventative medical treatments.

Under the NICE guidelines, botulinum toxin type A should be given by injection to between 31 and 39 sites around the head and back of the neck.

A new course of treatment can be given every 12 weeks.

Monoclonal antibodies

If you have frequent migraines and other treatments have not helped, medicines called monoclonal antibodies may be recommended.

Examples include fremanezumab, galcenezumab and erenumab.

These medicines are given as an injection, usually every month or every few months.

After a few months of treatment, you'll have a check-up to see how well the medicine is working and to decide whether to continue the treatment.

Find out more about monoclonal antibodies from The Migraine Trust

Acupuncture

If medicines are unsuitable or do not help prevent migraines, you may want to consider acupuncture.

NICE states that a course of up to 10 sessions over a 5- to 8-week period may be beneficial.

Menstrual-related migraines usually occur from 2 days before the start of your period to 3 days after.

As these migraines are relatively predictable, it may be possible to prevent them using either non-hormonal or hormonal treatments.

Non-hormonal treatments

The non-hormonal treatments that are recommended are:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – a common type of painkiller
• triptans – medicines that reverse the widening of blood vessels, which is thought to be a contributory factor in migraines

These medicines are taken as tablets 2 to 4 times a day from either the start of your period or 2 days before, until the last day of bleeding.

Hormonal treatments

Hormonal treatments that may be recommended include:

• combined hormonal contraceptives, such as the combined contraceptive pill, patch or vaginal ring
• progesterone-only contraceptives, such as progesterone-only pills, implants or injections
• oestrogen patches or gels, which can be used from 3 days before the start of your period and continued for 7 days

Hormonal contraceptives are not usually used to prevent menstrual-related migraines in women who experience aura symptoms because this can increase your risk of having a stroke.

Read about the complications of migraines for more information about this.

There are a number of organisations that offer advice and support for people with migraines, including The Migraine Trust.

You can contact The Migraine Trust on 0808 802 0066 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm), through its contact form or by emailing info@migrainetrust.org.

You can also join The Migraine Trust's online community through Facebook.