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.
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
Topics
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