Randomised trial, 2011
Does an estradiol patch prevent migraines around your period?
The estradiol patch did not work better than placebo at preventing menstrual migraines in this 27-woman study. Both the patch and placebo reduced migraines compared to baseline, making it unclear whether the improvement came from the drug or the placebo effect.
What they did
Randomized, double-blind crossover study of 27 women with menstrual migraine. Women received either estradiol patches delivering 100 micrograms per 24 hours or placebo patches during the 2 weeks around their period. After a washout period, they switched to the other treatment for another 2 weeks of cycles.
What they found
Both estradiol and placebo reduced the number and severity of migraine attacks compared to the baseline period before treatment. However, there was no difference between estradiol and placebo when compared directly to each other.
What it means for you
The estradiol patch did not work better than placebo. The improvement seen with both treatments could be due to strong placebo effect or benefit from tracking symptoms. We cannot determine from this study whether the patch actually works.
27
women in study
100 μg/24 h
estradiol dose
2 weeks
treatment duration
About the study
- Original title
- Prevention of menstrual migraine with perimenstrual transdermal 17-β-estradiol: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study
- Authors
- Almén-Christensson A, Hammar M, Lindh-Åstrand L et al.
- Journal
- Fertility and sterility
- Year
- 2011
- Study design
- Randomised trial
- Participants
- 27
- What was tested
- 100 micrograms per 24 hours perimenstrual transdermal estradiol vs placebo for 2 weeks
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.05.089
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