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Published on: June 2, 2014
Hormonal contraception and migraine: clinical considerations
Stephanie S Faubion1, Petra M Casey, Lynne T Shuster
1Division of Preventive, Occupational, and Aerospace Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Women's Health Clinic, 200 First Street Southwest, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. faubion.stephanie@mayo.edu
Migraine affects many women, especially during reproductive years. Hormonal contraceptives can help manage menstrual migraine without increasing stroke risk in healthy women.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Women's Health
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Migraine is highly prevalent in women, particularly during their reproductive years.
- Preventive strategies for migraine are underutilized.
- Menstrual-related migraine poses a significant burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the dual benefit of hormonal contraceptives for women of reproductive age.
- To assess the safety of hormonal contraceptives in women with migraine, considering stroke risk.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on migraine prevalence in women.
- Analysis of studies on the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives for migraine prevention.
- Examination of data regarding the association between hormonal contraceptives, migraine, and stroke risk.
Main Results:
- Hormonal contraceptives offer a dual benefit: contraception and reduction of menstrual migraine.
- Low-dose hormonal contraceptives do not appear to increase stroke risk in healthy women with migraine.
Conclusions:
- Hormonal contraceptives are a viable option for women of reproductive age experiencing migraine.
- The use of low-dose hormonal contraceptives should be considered for managing menstrual migraine in healthy women.
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