Headache

An attempt has been made to provide an overview of headache management for the primary healthcare provider for women. No attempt has been made to delineate for the clinician all care related to the difficult-to-manage headache patient, but at the same time, information has been provided that should assist the clinician in treating this common disorder. Often, a comprehensive approach is needed, and appropriate referral may be necessary to other healthcare providers who are capable of providing more specific services. The women's healthcare provider often has important psychologic and environmental information necessary to provide meaningful early intervention. This common complaint in patients is often overlooked and/or dismissed as "happening to everybody," thus patients are unnecessarily neglected. Not only can specific therapy be provided for the headache patient, but this complaint can serve to alert caregivers to other organic and emotional problems.