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Migraine prevalence during menopausal transition.
Shuu-Jiun Wang1, Jong-Ling Fuh, Shiang-Ru Lu
1Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital and National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
Headache
|May 20, 2003
Summary
Migraine prevalence in women aged 40-54 increased before menopause and declined after spontaneous menopause, particularly in those with premenstrual syndrome. Low estrogen and high follicle-stimulating hormone levels were linked to lower migraine frequency.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Women's Health
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Migraine frequency during menopausal transition lacks community-based study focus.
- Understanding hormonal influences on migraine is crucial for women's health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between menopausal transition and migraine frequency in a community-based Chinese population.
- To explore the role of premenstrual syndrome and hormonal levels in this association.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional community survey of 1436 Chinese women aged 40-54 in Kinmen, Taiwan.
- Migraine diagnosis by neurologists using 1988 International Headache Society criteria.
- Assessment of menstrual history, premenstrual syndrome, and serum estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone levels.
Main Results:
- Overall 1-year migraine prevalence was 16.5%.
- In women with premenstrual syndrome, late perimenopausal women had the highest migraine prevalence (31%), while spontaneously menopausal women had the lowest (7%).
- Women with a history of hysterectomy reported higher migraine prevalence (27%), especially those with premenstrual syndrome (44%). Low estrogen and high FSH levels correlated with lower migraine prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Migraine prevalence increases before menopause and decreases after spontaneous menopause, particularly in women vulnerable to hormonal changes like those with premenstrual syndrome.
- Hormonal factors (low estrogen, high FSH) and surgical history (hysterectomy) significantly influence migraine prevalence during menopausal transition.