Case-control study, 1992
Do non-migraine headaches change across the menstrual cycle in women with PMS?
Yes. Women with PMS have significantly more non-migraine headaches during the perimenstrual phase (around their period) and more severe headaches than women without PMS.
What they did
53 women recorded headaches daily for about 3 menstrual cycles. 46 had no migraine; of these, 26 had PMS and 20 didn't.
What they found
Non-migraine headaches were significantly more common during the perimenstrual phase (p < 0.001). PMS women had more severe headaches in both perimenstrual and intermenstrual phases. Severe headaches peaked on day before menstruation in PMS women and on day 1 in non-PMS women. Mild headaches were similar between groups.
What it means for you
Women with PMS get more and worse non-migraine headaches around their period, especially before it starts. The study only included women without migraine and tracked 3 cycles.
53
women tracked
26
with PMS
p < 0.001
cycle-headache relationship
About the study
- Original title
- Non-migraine headache across the menstrual cycle in women with and without premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Keenan PA, Lindamer LA
- Journal
- Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Case-control study
- Participants
- 26
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2982.1992.00356.x
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