Caring for the woman with migraine headaches

About 16% of American women experience migraine headaches. These debilitating headaches cause lost time from family, social activities, and work. Although migraines are thought to be a result of shifting menstrual and perimenopausal hormones, a physiologic connection has not been well established. This article approaches premenstrual and perimenopausal migraine headaches from a chronic disease perspective, focusing on self-care and the use of prescription and nonprescription therapies. Implications for practice and future research also are discussed.