---
title: Why does migraine get worse around menstruation and how can it be treated?
description: Migraine in some women worsens around menstruation, probably because of declining estrogen after hormone levels drop. Treatment with triptans, NSAIDs, or othe
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-migraine-a-review-of-hormonal-causes-prophylaxis-and-treatment-2007/
---

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- Why does migraine get worse around menstruation and how can it be treated?

Survey study, 2007

# Why does migraine get worse around menstruation and how can it be treated?

Migraine in some women worsens around menstruation, probably because of declining estrogen after hormone levels drop. Treatment with triptans, NSAIDs, or other drugs can help acute attacks, and prevention strategies are available.

 Early or limited evidence

Women with menstrual migraine (review article)

## What they did

Review of research on menstrual migraine, its causes, and treatment options.

## What they found

Many women have increased migraine frequency around menstruation, and these attacks may be more severe than migraines at other times of the cycle. Menstrual migraine is probably caused by declining estrogen levels after exposure to high estrogen. Acute treatment options include 5-HT1B/1D agonists (triptans), ergots, NSAIDs, or combination painkillers. Women with frequent or severe menstrual migraine may benefit from perimenstrual prophylaxis (prevention around the period).

## What it means for you

If your migraines get worse around your period, this is likely linked to hormone changes. The same treatments for other migraines can help, and you may benefit from taking preventive medicine around the time you expect an attack. Main limit: this is a review of existing knowledge, not new research data.

## About the study

Original title Menstrual migraine: a review of hormonal causes, prophylaxis and treatment Authors Ashkenazi A, Silberstein S Journal Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy Year 2007 Study design Survey study What was tested Not an intervention study; review of treatment options Read the paper [doi.org/10.1517/14656566.8.11.1605](https://doi.org/10.1517/14656566.8.11.1605)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Diuretics and other drugs](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diuretics-other-drugs/)[Migraine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-migraine/)

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Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Randomised trial, 2014

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

Randomised trial, 2011

Does sumatriptan-naproxen help women with period migraines and period pain function better?

Randomised trial, 2010

Does a sumatriptan and naproxen combination help menstrual migraine and period pain?

Survey study, 2010

What treatments work for migraine during the menstrual cycle?

Review, 2009

What medications work for migraines around the menstrual period?

Survey study, 2009

How can menstrual migraines and headaches be treated?

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