The Hormonal Link to Menstrual Migraines

There is a higher prevalence of migraine among women during the reproductive years according to information cited in a review article published online in Headache.  Menstrual migraines are more severe, longer lasting, and are more resistant to treatments compared to non-menstrual migraines.  Pain intensity, disability score, and duration of migraine are most severe during the first 2 days of menses compared to other headache types.  Uniquely, fluctuation of hormones has also been shown to have a causative relationship with menstrual migraine.   There is a link between estrogen drop and migraine, confirming that perimenstrual estrogen withdrawal gives rise to migraine attacks.  Menstrual migraine occurred in 22% of female migraineurs and 7.6% of general population.

Maasumi K, Tepper SJ, Kriegler JS. Menstrual Migraine and Treatment Options: Review. Headache. 2017;57(2):194-208.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/876558

To see what could be done to help alleviate menstrual migraines, call Dr. Burdorf at 480-951-5006, or schedule a consultation here.