---
title: Can headaches happen in the middle of a woman's cycle? | Niyora
description: Yes. About half of women get headaches before their period, but one in six experience headaches around the middle of their cycle instead. Headache timing ofte
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/mid-cycle-headaches-and-their-relationship-to-different-patterns-of-premenstrual-2013/
---

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- Can headaches happen in the middle of a woman's cycle?

Survey study, 2013

# Can headaches happen in the middle of a woman's cycle?

Yes. About half of women get headaches before their period, but one in six experience headaches around the middle of their cycle instead. Headache timing often matches when mood symptoms occur.

 Early or limited evidence

213 female university students

## What they did

213 university students tracked headaches and mood symptoms daily for 2 menstrual cycles. Researchers identified the timing of headaches.

## What they found

51% had typical premenstrual headaches, 16% had mid-cycle headaches, and 33% had no clear cycle pattern. Headache patterns matched mood patterns in about 54% of women. Headaches were linked to depression and anxiety.

## What it means for you

Headache timing differs among women. The same woman often has both headaches and mood changes at similar times in her cycle. The study involved only university students, so results may not apply to all women.

51%

had premenstrual headaches

16%

had mid-cycle headaches

33%

had no clear cycle pattern

## About the study

Original title Mid-cycle headaches and their relationship to different patterns of premenstrual stress symptoms Authors Kiesner J, Martin VT Journal Headache Year 2013 Study design Survey study Participants 213 What was tested None Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/head.12082](https://doi.org/10.1111/head.12082)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Menstrual cycle and mood](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-cycle-mood/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Irritability and anger](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-irritability-anger/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/)

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