Survey study, 2012
What treatments help menstrual migraine and PMS symptoms?
Several treatments have evidence including triptans, NSAIDs, magnesium, phytoestrogens, and certain birth control pills. More research is needed to compare treatments.
What they did
This was a review article examining the relationship between menstrual migraine and PMS and summarizing treatment options from existing research, not a new original study.
What they found
Migraine attacks often occur during the period of maximum PMS symptoms. Triptans are the gold standard for acute migraine treatment. For prevention, short-term perimenstrual prophylaxis can help. NSAIDs have evidence for menstrual migraine prevention. Among natural products, magnesium, phytoestrogens, and ginkgolide B have some evidence. A drospirenone-containing oral contraceptive taken continuously for 168 days showed promising results.
What it means for you
Menstrual migraine and PMS often happen together around the same time in the menstrual cycle. Several treatments may help. However, this is a review summarizing other studies, not new evidence, so the quality of evidence for each treatment may vary.
pre-2 post-3
days around menses for migraine
168
days continuous contraceptive
About the study
- Original title
- Premenstrual syndrome and migraine
- Authors
- Allais G, Castagnoli Gabellari I, Burzio C et al.
- Journal
- Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
- Year
- 2012
- Study design
- Survey study
- What was tested
- Treatments reviewed: triptans, NSAIDs, magnesium, phytoestrogens, ginkgolide B, drospirenone contraceptive
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s10072-012-1054-5
Topics
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