The statistics show that menstrual Migraines affect 60 percent of women who have Migraine disease. In recent online survey conducted by the National Headache Foundation (NHF), 87% of respondents reported that their Migraines increase in frequency and/or severity before, during, or immediately after their menstrual cycle.
There are two types of menstrual Migraines:
- Menstrually-Related Migraine (MRM) is a Migraine attack with headache of moderate to severe pain that happens during a certain window of time around the period and at other times of the month as well.
- Pure Menstrual Migraine (PMM) is similar in every respect, but occurs during the time around a woman’s period only.
Menstrual Migraines are primarily triggered by estrogen, the female hormone that regulates menstrual cycle fluctuations throughout the cycle. When the levels of estrogen and progesterone change, women will be more vulnerable to Migraines. Seventy-four percent of survey participants noted that the frequency and/or severity of their Migraine attacks increased after puberty. Survey respondents stated that 49% are more likely to experience Migraines prior to their menstrual cycle.
The NHF survey found that pregnancy and breast feeding can reduce the frequency and severity of Migraines for some women:
- 59% of the survey participants indicated that the frequency and/or severity of their Migraines decreased during pregnancy
- 51% noticed the most significant difference during their first trimester.
- 49% found a decrease in frequency and/or severity of their Migraines while breast feeding.
While pregnancy and breast feeding have shown a decrease in Migraines for some women, the opposite can be true for some women during peri-menopause. Seventy-eight percent of survey respondents believe that they experience more frequent Migraines in the years leading up to menopause.
"Women are impacted by menstrual headaches during the most productive phases of their lives. It is important to know that it is not "normal" to have a headache with one’s period," said Suzanne Simons, executive director of the NHF. "Therefore, if a woman finds she is experiencing headaches at this time, she should see her healthcare provider.”
Please take Ms. Simons' advice if you are or think you are suffering from menstrual Migraines. If you also have Migraines at other times of the month, "standard" preventive medications may be suitable for you. If menstrual Migraines are the main issue, there are a number of options. Some doctors recommend working with hormonal contraceptives to prevent menstrual Migraines. Others recommend working with triptans such as Amerge and Frova, starting just prior to your period, to prevent menstrual Migraine.
Don't just suffer. There is help.
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Resources:
Press Release. "Hormonal Impact on Menstrual Migraines." National Headache Foundation. Chicago. May 3, 2006.
