---
title: Is menstrual migraine a distinct type of migraine? | Niyora
description: Yes. More than 50% of women with migraine report a link to menstruation, and research supports treating menstrual migraine as a distinct condition with its ow
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/classification-of-perimenstrual-headache-clinical-relevance-2012/
---

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- Is menstrual migraine a distinct type of migraine?

Survey study, 2012

# Is menstrual migraine a distinct type of migraine?

Yes. More than 50% of women with migraine report a link to menstruation, and research supports treating menstrual migraine as a distinct condition with its own diagnostic criteria rather than just one trigger.

 Moderate study design

Review of research on women with migraine linked to menstruation

## What they did

Reviewed recent research on menstrual migraine and its relationship to the menstrual cycle. Discussed changes in medical classification of headache disorders.

## What they found

More than 50% of women with migraine report an association with menstruation. In 2004, the International Classification of Headache Disorders introduced specific diagnostic criteria for menstrual migraine. Recent research published since then supports the idea that menstrual migraine is a distinct type of migraine rather than menstruation simply being a trigger.

## What it means for you

Menstrual migraine deserves to be recognized as its own medical condition with specific treatments rather than just another migraine trigger. Women with migraine linked to menstruation may benefit from tailored management approaches. This is a review of research rather than a new research study.

50%

women with migraine reporting menstrual link

2004

year menstrual migraine criteria were introduced

## About the study

Original title Classification of perimenstrual headache: clinical relevance Authors MacGregor EA Journal Current pain and headache reports Year 2012 Study design Survey study What was tested Not applicable (literature review) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0282-y](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0282-y)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Migraine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-migraine/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Systematic review, 2023

What hormonal treatments have been tested for PMDD, menstrual migraine, and catamenial epilepsy?

Cohort study, 2022

Can women accurately tell if they have period-related migraines, or do they need to track them?

Guideline, 2021

How should migraine be managed in women, particularly menstrual migraine?

Randomised trial, 2016

Does telcagepant prevent migraines during the menstrual period?

Randomised trial, 2014

Does the combination of sumatriptan and naproxen sodium reduce menstrual symptoms and migraine?

Randomised trial, 2005

Does sumatriptan work for migraines around the menstrual cycle?

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