Review, 2013
What causes migraines linked to your period and how can they be treated?
Menstrual migraines are triggered by estrogen level changes during the menstrual cycle. They significantly affect quality of life and can be managed with preventive medications and hormonal birth control.
What they did
Reviewed medical literature on menstrual migraines, including what causes them, which women get them, and what treatments are available.
What they found
Menstrual migraine occurs regularly in at least 2 of 3 consecutive menstrual cycles, happening from 2 days before to 3 days after the first day of menstruation. Pure menstrual migraine only occurs during menstruation. Menstrually related migraine also occurs at other times of the cycle. Estrogen fluctuation is believed to be involved.
What it means for you
If your migraines follow your menstrual cycle, you have a recognized condition called menstrual migraine. Estrogen changes trigger it, but how exactly is not fully understood. Several preventive and acute treatments exist. For detailed treatment options, speak with a doctor.
at least 2 of 3
menstrual cycle pattern needed for diagnosis
day -2 to +3
timing window around menstruation
About the study
- Original title
- A cyclic pain: the pathophysiology and treatment of menstrual migraine
- Authors
- Mathew PG, Dun EC, Luo JJ
- Journal
- Obstetrical & gynecological survey
- Year
- 2013
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Preventive and acute migraine treatments
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1097/ogx.0b013e31827f2496
Topics
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