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Migraines and Menstruation
Migraine affects about three times more women than men. One reason for this phenomenon is the link of hormones of menstruation to the occurrence of this debilitating disease.
“The decrease in serum estradiol levels may be one of the most potent triggers of a migraine headache”
According to information gathered by women with migraine, more than one-half of the women questioned stated that their migraines tend to happen on the days just before and on the first day of their periods. An increasing amount of research continues to indicate that menstrual hormones and migraine are related.
One 2000 study based on population showed a significant increase of migraines without an accompanying aura during the first two days of a woman’s period. Also, migraines occurring during the three to seven days just before a woman’s periods tended to last a longer time than other headaches. This study also showed that the lowest incidences of migraines occurred during ovulation.
