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Quick Menstrual Migraine guide

Could your migraines be connected to your period?

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.

Migraine vs Menstrual Migraine: What’s the difference?

When compared with migraines that occur at other times of the month, Menstrual Migraines have been reported to:
• Last longer—up to 72 hours4,5,10
• Be more severe5-7
• 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.

Do you suffer from Menstrual Migraine?

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.

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

Questions to ask your healthcare provider

Are your migraines connected to your period?
Use this list to engage in a discussion with your healthcare provider.

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

Medications I take now:










Important Safety Information
FROVA® (frovatriptan succinate) is a triptan medication used to treat migraine headaches in adults. Only your doctor can decide if FROVA is right for you. Do not use FROVA if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; have heart disease or a history of heart disease; have had a stroke; have circulation (blood flow) problems; or have hemiplegic or basilar migraine (if you are not sure about this, ask your doctor).

Cases of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome have been reported with the use of triptan medications, including FROVA. Talk to your doctor before taking FROVA if you take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), two types of drugs for depression and other disorders. If you experience symptoms of serotonin syndrome, which may include mental status changes, rapid heartbeat, lack of coordination or muscle weakness, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms, contact your doctor or healthcare professional immediately.

Do not take FROVA if you have an allergic reaction to the tablet or within 24 hours of taking any triptans or ergotamine medications. The most common side effects associated with the use of FROVA are dizziness, tiredness, feeling of tingling, hot flashes, headache (other than migraine headache), dry mouth, hot or cold sensation, pain in joints or bones, chest pain, and indigestion.



References:
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. MacGregor EA. Oestrogen and attacks of migraine with and without aura. Lancet Neurol. 2004;3:354-361.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. MacGregor EA, Hackshaw A. Prevalence of migraine on each day of the natural menstrual cycle. Neurology. 2004;63:351-353.
  7. Martin VT, Wernke S, Mandell K, et al. Defining the relationship between ovarian hormones and migraine headache. Headache. 2005;45:1190-1201.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.


Intended for US residents only.
 Courtesy of frova.com

Endo® Pharmaceuticals
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