---
title: Is menstrual migraine genetic? | Niyora
description: About one in three to five women with migraine have migraine around their period. People with menstrual migraine may have more relatives with migraine, but we
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/genetics-of-menstrual-migraine-the-epidemiological-evidence-2010/
---

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- Is menstrual migraine genetic?

Survey study, 2010

# Is menstrual migraine genetic?

About one in three to five women with migraine have migraine around their period. People with menstrual migraine may have more relatives with migraine, but we need more research to know for sure.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with migraine (review of existing research)

## What they did

The authors reviewed existing research on how common menstrual migraine is and whether it runs in families.

## What they found

About one in every three to five women with migraine without aura experience migraine around their period. There are official definitions for pure menstrual migraine and menstrually related migraine without aura, but these need further validation. People with menstrual migraine might have more relatives with migraine than people with other types of migraine. However, precise data on family patterns and twin studies are not yet available.

## What it means for you

Menstrual migraine appears to be common and may run in families, but we don't have clear evidence yet. Better research with family studies and twin studies is needed to understand if genetics play a role.

1 in 3 to 5

women with migraine who get menstrual migraine

## About the study

Original title Genetics of menstrual migraine: the epidemiological evidence Authors Russell MB Journal Current pain and headache reports Year 2010 Study design Survey study Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s11916-010-0142-6](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-010-0142-6)

## 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/)

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

Systematic review, 2023

What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy?

Cohort study, 2022

Can women accurately tell if they have period-related migraines, or do they need to track them?

Guideline, 2021

How should migraine be managed in women, particularly menstrual migraine?

Randomised trial, 2016

Does telcagepant prevent migraines during the menstrual period?

Randomised trial, 2014

Does the combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium reduce menstrual symptoms and migraine?

Randomised trial, 2005

Does sumatriptan work for migraines around the menstrual cycle?

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