Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 1, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
10:39

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache

Published on: June 2, 2014

Pregnancy and chronic headache

Dawn A Marcus1

  • 1Pain Evaluation & Treatment Institute, 4601 Baum Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. dawnpainmd@yahoo.com

Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
|April 6, 2002
PubMed

Headache patterns in women change in relation to fluctuations in oestrogen levels. Increasing oestrogen levels in early pregnancy offer a protective effect against headache, particularly for women with migraine. However, some women continue to experience troublesome headache throughout pregnancy. Headache persisting at the end of the first trimester will usually continue without improvement for the remainder of pregnancy and should be treated. Safe and effective acute care treatment options include paracetamol, opioids and anti-emetics. The use of triptans during pregnancy is controversial and not broadly recommended. Safe and effective preventive treatments include relaxation, biofeedback, beta-blockers, some antidepressants and gabapentin in early pregnancy.

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