Survey study, 2003
Does migraine risk change during menopause in women with PMS?
Yes. In women with PMS, migraine is highest in late perimenopause at 31% and lowest after menopause at 7%. Hormone levels also affect migraine risk.
What they did
Survey of 1436 Chinese women aged 40 to 54 in Taiwan. Neurologists diagnosed migraine using standard criteria. Researchers measured hormone levels and asked about PMS history.
What they found
Overall migraine occurred in 16.5% of women. In women with PMS, the late perimenopausal group had 31% migraine, while the postmenopausal group had 7%. Women who had hysterectomies reported 27% overall migraine, and 44% among those with PMS. Low estrogen levels were linked to lower migraine rates.
What it means for you
If you have PMS, your migraine risk may peak just before menopause and then decrease. The study included only Chinese women in one location and one time period, so results may not apply to other populations.
1436
women in study
31%
migraine in women with PMS in late perimenopause
7%
migraine in women with PMS after menopause
About the study
- Original title
- Migraine prevalence during menopausal transition
- Authors
- Wang SJ, Fuh JL, Lu SR et al.
- Journal
- Headache
- Year
- 2003
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 1,436
- What was tested
- None (observation only)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1046/j.1526-4610.2003.03092.x
Topics
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