---
title: Does topiramate prevent migraines around the period? | Niyora
description: Yes. Topiramate reduces how often perimenstrual migraines happen, but does not reduce how severe or long they are.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/perimenstrual-migraines-and-their-response-to-preventive-therapy-with-topiramate-2011/
---

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- Does topiramate prevent migraines around the period?

Non-randomised trial, 2011

# Does topiramate prevent migraines around the period?

Yes. Topiramate reduces how often perimenstrual migraines happen, but does not reduce how severe or long they are.

 Moderate study design

198 premenopausal women with menstrually-related migraine

## What they did

Open-label study (not randomized). 198 women with menstrually-related migraines were observed for 1-2 months without treatment. Then they took topiramate (50-200 mg daily) for 6 months. Migraines during and outside the perimenstrual period were tracked.

## What they found

Mean monthly migraine frequency dropped from 7.03 at baseline to 4.36 during treatment (mean decrease 2.66, p < .001). Perimenstrual migraines decreased by 45.9%, and migraines outside the perimenstrual period decreased by 46.1%, so reductions were similar. Results were similar whether women had migraine with aura, and whether or not they were taking birth control pills.

## What it means for you

Topiramate may help reduce how often you get migraines around your period. The medication works similarly regardless of whether you have aura symptoms or take birth control. However, this was an open-label study where women knew they were taking medication, so placebo effect could play a role.

198

Women studied

7.03

Baseline monthly migraine frequency

4.36

Monthly migraine frequency during topiramate

## About the study

Original title Perimenstrual migraines and their response to preventive therapy with topiramate Authors Allais G, Sanchez del Rio M, Diener HC et al. Journal Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache Year 2011 Study design Non-randomised trial Participants 198 What was tested Topiramate 50-200 mg daily for 6 months Read the paper [doi.org/10.1177/0333102410378049](https://doi.org/10.1177/0333102410378049)

## Topics

[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Migraine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-migraine/)

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