Survey study, 2012
Is menstrual migraine a distinct type of migraine?
Yes. More than 50% of women with migraine report a link to menstruation, and research supports treating menstrual migraine as a distinct condition with its own diagnostic criteria rather than just one trigger.
What they did
Reviewed recent research on menstrual migraine and its relationship to the menstrual cycle. Discussed changes in medical classification of headache disorders.
What they found
More than 50% of women with migraine report an association with menstruation. In 2004, the International Classification of Headache Disorders introduced specific diagnostic criteria for menstrual migraine. Recent research published since then supports the idea that menstrual migraine is a distinct type of migraine rather than menstruation simply being a trigger.
What it means for you
Menstrual migraine deserves to be recognized as its own medical condition with specific treatments rather than just another migraine trigger. Women with migraine linked to menstruation may benefit from tailored management approaches. This is a review of research rather than a new research study.
50%
women with migraine reporting menstrual link
2004
year menstrual migraine criteria were introduced
About the study
- Original title
- Classification of perimenstrual headache: clinical relevance
- Authors
- MacGregor EA
- Journal
- Current pain and headache reports
- Year
- 2012
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- Not applicable (literature review)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0282-y
Topics
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