--- title: Do women with migraines also tend to have premenstrual syndrome? description: Yes. In gynecology clinics, 76% had PMS and 94% had headaches during their premenstrual phase. In neurology clinics, 79% had PMS and 79% of those with headach url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/migraine-and-premenstrual-syndrome-comorbid-disorders-2021/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women with migraines also tend to have premenstrual syndrome? Interview study, 2021 # Do women with migraines also tend to have premenstrual syndrome? Yes. In gynecology clinics, 76% had PMS and 94% had headaches during their premenstrual phase. In neurology clinics, 79% had PMS and 79% of those with headaches also had PMS. Researchers concluded this is not coincidence. Early or limited evidence Women with headaches or seeking gynecology care, aged 18 to 52 ## What they did Descriptive qualitative survey of women aged 18-52 in neurology and gynecology clinics at a teaching hospital in 2018. Questionnaires asked about headache episodes and PMS. ## What they found In gynecology clinics: 76% had PMS and 94% presented with headache during PMS, with 9% reporting no headache. In neurology clinics: 79% had PMS and 79% of women who presented with headache also had PMS. ## What it means for you PMS and migraines may be connected conditions rather than separate problems. The study is limited by small sample size and unclear reporting of which women were in each group, making it exploratory rather than conclusive. 94% Women in gynecology clinics with headaches during PMS 76% PMS prevalence in gynecology clinics 79% PMS prevalence in neurology clinics ## About the study Original title Migraine and premenstrual syndrome: comorbid disorders? Authors Eliana Meire Melhado, Túlio Ruiz Eschiapati, Jessica Bidurin Picolo et al. Journal Headache Medicine/Revista Headache Medicine Year 2021 Study design Interview study Participants 27 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.48208/headachemed.2021.5](https://doi.org/10.48208/headachemed.2021.5) Original abstract IntroductionHeadache is a common symptom among women, including during the menstrual cycle. The migraine frequency in women who present migraine associated with the menstrual period ranges from 50% to 70%. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is prevalent among women, affecting 80% to 90% of them throughout their lives.ObjectiveThe objectives of this study were to verify PMS prevalence and its characteristics among women who present with cephalalgia in the neurology ambulatory care unit and show the prevalence of headache and its association with PMS in the gynecology ambulatory care unit.MethodsIt is a descriptive and qualitative study which was carried out at Emilio Carlos Teaching Hospital in the neurology and gynecology ambulatory care units with women aged 18 to 52 years old. Eighty-seven questionnaires were distributed and self-applied throughout the year of 2018 for data collection. Each questionnaire consisted of 27 questions about the life cycle of the women and their headache episodes. The diagnostic criteria for headache and migraine from the International Headache Society were used. Criteria for PMS were met according to the quality of life questionnaire.ResultsIn gynecology unit group, 9% of the women did not present headache, 76% had PMS and 94% presented with headache during PMS. In neurology, 79% of the women had PMS and 79% of the women who presented with cephalalgia also had PMS.ConclusionThere is a large percentage of PMS in both groups, i.e. neurological unit and gynecological unit, showing it is not a spurious correlation. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## 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? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗