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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Migraine in women
Christine L Lay1, Susan W Broner
1Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Centre For Headache, Women's College Hospital, 76 Grenville Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. christine.lay@wchospital.ca
Neurologic Clinics
|March 18, 2009
Summary
Migraine affects 32 million Americans, with women disproportionately impacted after puberty. Hormonal changes throughout a woman's life significantly influence migraine patterns.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder affecting millions of Americans.
- A significant female predominance in migraine prevalence emerges after puberty.
- Hormonal fluctuations are implicated in the gender disparity and varying patterns of migraine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the lifelong impact of migraine on women.
- To emphasize the role of hormonal influences on migraine epidemiology in females.
- To inform practitioners about special considerations for treating women with migraine.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological data on migraine prevalence in the US.
- Analysis of factors contributing to gender differences in migraine.
- Examination of hormonal influences across different life stages in women.
Main Results:
- Nearly 32 million Americans have migraine, with 24 million being women.
- Migraine incidence is similar in boys and girls before puberty, but female rates increase significantly afterward.
- Estrogen is a key factor, but other hormonal events like menarche, oral contraceptive use, pregnancy, perimenopause, and menopause also impact migraine.
Conclusions:
- Migraine presents unique challenges for women across their lifespan.
- Understanding hormonal interplay is crucial for effective migraine management in women.
- Healthcare providers require specialized knowledge to address migraine considerations specific to females.
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