---
title: How does your menstrual cycle affect migraines? | Niyora
description: Migraines are strongly linked to your menstrual cycle. Falling estrogen at the start of your period triggers migraines in 10 to 20 per cent of women in the ge
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/menstrual-migraine-1990/
---

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- How does your menstrual cycle affect migraines?

Study, 1990

# How does your menstrual cycle affect migraines?

Migraines are strongly linked to your menstrual cycle. Falling estrogen at the start of your period triggers migraines in 10 to 20 per cent of women in the general population, and worsens attacks in 60 per cent of women who already have migraines.

 Early or limited evidence

Review of 100 cases of women with menstrual migraine and women in the general population.

## What they did

This is a clinical review based on case experience with 100 women with menstrual migraine. It describes what triggers cycle-related migraines and which treatments work best.

## What they found

The drop in estrogen at the start of menstruation causes migraines in 10 to 20 per cent of women. In 60 per cent of women who already have migraines, their period triggers or worsens attacks. About 1 out of 10 women without menstrual migraine develop it when they take hormonal contraceptives. High-dose progestogens worsen attacks because they lower estrogen. Low-dose oral estrogens cause estrogen swings that trigger migraines. Cyclic percutaneous estradiol (patches) at 60-80 pg/ml prevents menstrual migraines while preserving the cycle.

## What it means for you

Your period strongly affects migraines through estrogen changes. Hormonal contraceptives may trigger new migraines or worsen existing ones. Stable estrogen through patches is the most effective preventive approach for menstrual migraine. However, many factors beyond hormones also trigger migraines. This review is from 1990, so newer treatments may be available.

10 to 20

per cent of women in general population with menstrual migraine

60

per cent of women with existing migraine affected by their period

1 out of 10

women without menstrual migraine who develop it with hormonal contraceptives

## About the study

Original title [Menstrual migraine] Authors de Lignières B Journal La Revue du praticien Year 1990 Study design Study Participants 100 What was tested Cyclic percutaneous estradiol patches as preventive treatment. Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2309069/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2309069/)

## 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/)

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

## Related studies

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Randomised trial, 2016

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Randomised trial, 2014

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Randomised trial, 2005

Does sumatriptan work for migraines around the menstrual cycle?

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