---
title: Do women with menstrually-related migraine have different hormone levels than women with epilepsy?
description: Yes, women with menstrually-related migraine had lower progesterone and estradiol levels than women with epilepsy. Their endorphin levels near menstruation sh
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/pattern-of-plasma-opioids-in-menstrually-related-migraine-and-epilepsy-1986/
---

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- Do women with menstrually-related migraine have different hormone levels than women with epilepsy?

Study, 1986

# Do women with menstrually-related migraine have different hormone levels than women with epilepsy?

Yes, women with menstrually-related migraine had lower progesterone and estradiol levels than women with epilepsy. Their endorphin levels near menstruation showed a different pattern than the epilepsy group.

 Early or limited evidence

8 women with menstrually-related migraine and 3 women with catamenial epilepsy

## What they did

Researchers measured four hormones and chemicals in the blood during the second half of the menstrual cycle of 8 women with menstrually-related migraine and 3 women with catamenial epilepsy.

## What they found

Women with menstrually-related migraine had lower progesterone and estradiol than women with epilepsy. Endorphin-related chemicals fell near menstruation in the migraine group, but rose in the epilepsy group.

## What it means for you

Different menstrual conditions might involve different hormone patterns in the body. This was very small research (only 8 to 11 women total), so more studies are needed. The study focused on migraine and epilepsy, not premenstrual syndrome specifically.

8

women with menstrually-related migraine

3

women with catamenial epilepsy

## About the study

Original title Pattern of plasma opioids in menstrually-related migraine and epilepsy Authors Facchinetti F, Moglia A, Bonuccelli U et al. Journal Functional neurology Year 1986 Study design Study Participants 8 What was tested None—this was an observational study measuring hormone and chemical levels. Read the paper [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2956169/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2956169/)

## Topics

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

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## Related studies

Systematic review, 2023

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

Review, 2001

Do common health conditions get worse at certain times in your menstrual cycle?

Review, 2000

Do common diseases get worse before a woman's period?

Review, 1998

How does the menstrual cycle affect other medical conditions?

Survey study, 2023

How common are migraines linked to the menstrual cycle in women with PMS?

Review, 2011

How do the hormones estrogen and progesterone affect the brain's activity, and could this explain PMS or PMDD?

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