[Migraine and the influence of hormones]

According to clinical observations, "pure" menstrual migraine refers to migraine attacks that occur exclusively 2 days from menstruation onset.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of menstrual migraine in a group of patients (N=289) attending a headache clinic; modification of migraine characteristics during pregnancy was also determined.

Study results showed "pure" menstrual migraine to be present in 52 (18.0%) patients; 73 (25.3%) patients reported their migraine attacks to be always related to menstruation, yet also suffering attacks at other times; 95 (32.9%) patients stated that their migraine attacks were sometimes related to menstruation; and 121 (41.9%) patients observed no such relationship. In a subgroup of patients that had given birth to a child (n=145), migraine occurred for the first time in pregnancy in 14 (9.66%), improved or disappeared in 96 (66.2%), and worsened in 14 (9.66%) patients, whereas 21 (14.48%) patients reported no change in the character or frequency of migraine.

Menstrual migraine is present in a high percentage of migraine patients. During pregnancy, migraine improves in the majority of patients while in a minority of patients migraine occurs for the first time or even worsens. The results of this study should serve as a basis to improve health care for patients with menstrual migraine.