---
title: Does estradiol patches reduce menstrual migraine? | Niyora
description: No. The study found no significant difference between estradiol patches and placebo patches in reducing migraine attacks.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/perimenstrual-migraine-effect-of-estraderm-tts-and-the-value-of-contingent-1994/
---

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- Does estradiol patches reduce menstrual migraine?

Randomised trial, 1994

# Does estradiol patches reduce menstrual migraine?

No. The study found no significant difference between estradiol patches and placebo patches in reducing migraine attacks.

 Early or limited evidence

20 women with pure menstrual migraine

## What they did

20 women with pure menstrual migraine wore either Estraderm TTS 50 patches or placebo patches in random order over three successive menstrual cycles. Neurological tests were done before treatment.

## What they found

The number, duration, and severity of migraine attacks did not differ between estradiol and placebo. Neither did the use of painkillers. One subgroup with certain test results may have benefited.

## What it means for you

Estradiol patches do not help with menstrual migraine for most women. Main limits: very small sample size (20 women) and negative finding, so a larger study might find different results.

20

women studied

three

menstrual cycles

50

patch strength

## About the study

Original title Perimenstrual migraine: effect of Estraderm TTS and the value of contingent negative variation and exteroceptive temporalis muscle suppression test Authors Smits MG, van der Meer YG, Pfeil JP et al. Journal Headache Year 1994 Study design Randomised trial Participants 20 What was tested Estraderm TTS 50 hormone patches Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.1994.hed3402103.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4610.1994.hed3402103.x)

## Topics

[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.

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