--- title: Is headache during the period caused by migraine or PMS? | Niyora description: Most women (76%) met migraine criteria, but many also had PMS. There was no clear difference in PMS severity between those with different types of headache. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/perimenstrual-headache-migraine-without-aura-or-premenstrual-syndrome-symptom-2010/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Is headache during the period caused by migraine or PMS? Survey study, 2010 # Is headache during the period caused by migraine or PMS? Most women (76%) met migraine criteria, but many also had PMS. There was no clear difference in PMS severity between those with different types of headache. Early or limited evidence 50 women with headaches in the perimenstrual period ## What they did 50 women with headaches around their period in at least 2 out of 3 cycles answered questionnaires about their headache patterns and PMS symptoms. ## What they found 29 women had both migraine and PMS, and 9 had migraine without PMS. Overall, 38 women (76%) met diagnostic criteria for menstrual migraine. The severity of PMS symptoms was similar across all headache groups. ## What it means for you Period headaches are often true migraines by medical criteria, but this does not mean they are unrelated to PMS. The study cannot determine whether the headache is caused by migraine, PMS, or both. The sample is very small. 76% Met migraine criteria 29 Had both migraine and PMS 9 Had migraine without PMS ## About the study Original title Perimenstrual headache: migraine without aura or premenstrual syndrome symptom? Authors Sundić A, Zidverc-Trajković J, Vujović S et al. Journal Vojnosanitetski pregled Year 2010 Study design Survey study Participants 50 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.2298/vsp1012969s](https://doi.org/10.2298/vsp1012969s) Original abstract Background/aim: Definition of menstrual migraine as a specific clinical entity or, maybe, migraine headache with menstrually related occurring, still remains unresolved question. The aim of this study was to investigate if perimenstrual headache in our patients fulfills diagnostic the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria for migraine without aura or represents a different type of headache which is the symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods: The study included 50 women with headache in perimenstrual period in at least two out of three menstrual cycles, during the last year or longer. Two questionnaires, a questionnaire for headache and a questionnaire for PMS, were used. Results: The majority of all the examined women, 29 of them, had migraine and PMS and 9 women had migraine without PMS. Headache in 38 (76.0%) patients fulfilled diagnostic criteria for menstrual migraine, (26 and 12 women had pure menstrual migraine and menstrually related migraine respectively). Intensity of PMS was not different in a groups of women with different types of headache (p = 0.184): a total number of PMS symptoms was 8.2 +/- 4.6 in the group with pure menstrual migraine, 10.8 +/- 3.9 in the group with menstrually related migraine and 10.8 +/- 6.3 in the group with non-migraine headache. Conclusion: This study shows that headache, occurring in perimenstrual period, is not always migraine, but could fulfill criteria for tension-type headache, as well. Specific characteristics of perimenstrual headache, which could distinguish it as a symptom of PMS, were not found. Expected relation in time of headache onset and menarche was not confirmed. Reproduced under CC-BY-SA. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Anxiety and tension](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-anxiety/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Migraine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-migraine/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Survey study, 1994 How many different ways do researchers measure PMS in clinical trials? Cohort study, 2025 What causes migraine in female college students who have PMS? Review, 2011 How do the hormones estrogen and progesterone affect the brain's activity, and could this explain PMS or PMDD? Survey study, 2011 Do hormones affect types of headaches other than migraines? Cohort study, 2009 What types of headaches do women with PMS experience? Review, 2002 Do antidepressants help with PMDD symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗