Quick Menstrual Migraine guide

Migraines afflict approximately 21 million women in the United States—three times more women than men.¹ So it makes sense that women’s migraines may be hormonally related. Studies have suggested that for many women, migraines may have something to do with changes in hormone levels, which normally occur right before your period starts.^2,3 This hormone-related migraine is often referred to as a Menstrual Migraine.^2,3 Menstrual Migraines have been reported to be more severe than migraines that occur at other times, may persist longer, and may occur more frequently.^4-7

If you’re like many women who have migraines, you may have Menstrual Migraine.^1,8,9 This site contains resources that can help you learn more about your migraines and if they may be connected to your period (ie, if you have Menstrual Migraine). Be sure to discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider, as only he or she can make a diagnosis.

When compared with migraines that occur at other times of the month, Menstrual Migraines have been reported to:
• Last longer—up to 72 hours^4,5,10
• Be more severe^5-7
• Occur more often with nausea and vomiting⁶
• Be more difficult to treat—occur more frequently⁴

Take the Menstrual Migraine quiz to see if your migraines might be connected to your period.

If you have migraines around the time of your period and you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, consult with your healthcare provider to determine if you may have Menstrual Migraine.

Does any woman in your family have migraines around the time of her period?
Are your migraines more severe during your period compared to other times?
Do your migraines usually last longer than 24 hours?
Does your migraine pain return within 24 hours of taking medication?
Do you take multiple doses of prescription migraine medication for the same migraine?
Do you take over-the-counter pain relievers in addition to migraine medication for the same migraine?

Are your migraines connected to your period?

Use this list to engage in a discussion with your healthcare provider.

• Is it possible that I have Menstrual Migraine?

• What’s the difference between Menstrual Migraines and migraines that occur at other times?

• Do the normal monthly changes in my hormone levels have anything to do with causing Menstrual Migraines?

• Are Menstrual Migraines likely to last longer than migraines that occur at other times of the month?

• Are Menstrual Migraines thought to be more painful?

• Is it common to have several migraine attacks during a single menstrual period?

• What can I do to keep the migraines that occur around my period from coming back?

• I have tried many different ways to relieve the migraine pain that occurs around my period (tell your healthcare provider about all the medications you’ve taken, over-the-counter and prescription). What else can I do to get relief?

Be sure to let your healthcare provider know about all of the medications you’re currently taking (including those for other conditions).

Download this list of questions

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References:

Lipton RB, Stewart WF, Diamond S, Diamond ML, Reed M. Prevalence and burden of migraine in the United States: data from the American Migraine Study II. Headache. 2001;41:646-657.
Lichten EM, Lichten JB, Whitty A, Pieper D. The confirmation of a biochemical marker for women’s hormonal migraine: the Depo-Estradiol challenge test. Headache. 1996;36:367-371.
MacGregor EA. Oestrogen and attacks of migraine with and without aura. Lancet Neurol. 2004;3:354-361.
Granella F, Sances G, Allais G, et al. Characteristics of menstrual and nonmenstrual attacks in women with menstrually related migraine referred to headache centres. Cephalalgia. 2004;24:707-716.
Couturier EGM, Bomhof MAM, Knuistingh Neven A, van Duijn NP. Menstrual migraine in a representative Dutch population sample: prevalence, disability and treatment. Cephalalgia. 2003;23:302-308.
MacGregor EA, Hackshaw A. Prevalence of migraine on each day of the natural menstrual cycle. Neurology. 2004;63:351-353.
Martin VT, Wernke S, Mandell K, et al. Defining the relationship between ovarian hormones and migraine headache. Headache. 2005;45:1190-1201.
Granella F, Sances G, Zanferrari C, Costa A, Martignoni E, Manzoni GC. Migraine without aura and reproductive life events: a clinical epidemiological study in 1300 women. Headache. 1993;33:385-389.
Dzoljic E, Sipetic S, Vlajinac H, et al. Prevalence of menstrually related migraine and nonmigraine primary headache in female students of Belgrade University. Headache. 2002;42:185-193.
Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society. The international classification of headache disorders. 2nd ed. Cephalalgia. 2004;24(suppl 1):24-36; 138-149. Available at: http://216.25.100.131/ihscommon/guidelines/pdfs/ihc_II_main_no_print.pdf. Accessed January 19, 2007.

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Intended for US residents only.