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Survey study, 2001

Can hormonal changes cause headaches?

Yes. Hormonal changes from starting your period, pregnancy, birth control, menopause, and hormone therapy can cause or worsen headaches, especially migraines. These headaches are difficult to treat.

Early or limited evidence Women at various life stages (menarche, pregnancy, reproductive years with oral contraceptives, menopause)

What they did

This was a review examining how hormonal changes at different life stages affect headaches.

What they found

Starting your period, pregnancy, birth control use, menopause, and hormone replacement therapy all can change how often or how bad headaches are. Stopping and starting birth control or hormone pills may trigger migraines. The problem may be related to stopping and starting hormone therapy.

What it means for you

If your headaches get worse around your period or when you start birth control, hormones are likely the cause. Unfortunately, these hormone-related headaches are hard to treat with standard migraine medicines.

About the study

Original title
Hormone-related headache
Authors
Silberstein SD
Journal
The Medical clinics of North America
Year
2001
Study design
Survey study
What was tested
Oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy

Topics