--- title: When do migraines and PMS symptoms occur during the menstrual cycle, and how are they related? description: Both migraines and PMS symptoms follow similar timing during the menstrual cycle, peaking around the time of the menstrual period. This suggests they may shar url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/evaluation-of-an-electronic-diary-as-a-diagnostic-tool-to-study-headache-and-2007/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - When do migraines and PMS symptoms occur during the menstrual cycle, and how are they related? Cohort study, 2007 # When do migraines and PMS symptoms occur during the menstrual cycle, and how are they related? Both migraines and PMS symptoms follow similar timing during the menstrual cycle, peaking around the time of the menstrual period. This suggests they may share a common cause. Early or limited evidence 20 women with migraine ## What they did 20 women with migraine tracked headaches and PMS symptoms daily for 3 consecutive months using an electronic diary. They rated 23 PMS criteria on a scale of 0 (no symptoms) to 3 (severe symptoms). The diary recorded the date and menstrual cycle day. ## What they found The women reported 2009 diary entries across 56 menstrual cycles. Headaches increased starting 5 days before the period, peaked 1 to 5 days after it started, and returned to normal by day 7. PMS symptom scores ranged from 2.4 to 12 daily. They peaked 6 days before to 2 days after the period started and returned to normal by day 8. The two conditions followed similar timing. ## What it means for you Migraines and PMS follow similar patterns during the menstrual cycle, suggesting a shared biological mechanism. Electronic diaries could help identify when migraines occur relative to menstrual symptoms. Main limitations: small sample (20 women) and no control group. Daily tracking is more reliable than retrospective reporting. 20 women with migraine 56 menstrual cycles tracked days +1 to +5 peak headache timing ## About the study Original title Evaluation of an electronic diary as a diagnostic tool to study headache and premenstrual symptoms in migraineurs Authors Goldberg J, Wolf A, Silberstein S et al. Journal Headache Year 2007 Study design Cohort study What was tested Electronic diary tracking over 3 months Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00441.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.2006.00441.x) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Migraine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-migraine/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Non-randomised trial, 2010 How accurate are different methods for diagnosing menstrual migraine? Non-randomised trial, 2010 Does taking eletriptan around the time of menstruation prevent menstrual migraines? Cohort study, 2006 How should severe period pain in teenagers be treated? Case-control study, 2004 Is job stress linked to having premenstrual symptoms? Study, 2001 Does estrogen or progesterone affect magnesium levels in brain blood vessels? Review, 1997 Why do migraines happen around the menstrual cycle and are they connected to PMS? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗