---
title: Does an estradiol patch prevent migraines around your period?
description: The estradiol patch did not work better than placebo at preventing menstrual migraines in this 27-woman study. Both the patch and placebo reduced migraines co
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/prevention-of-menstrual-migraine-with-perimenstrual-transdermal-17-estradiol-a-2011/
---

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- Does an estradiol patch prevent migraines around your period?

Randomised trial, 2011

# Does an estradiol patch prevent migraines around your period?

The estradiol patch did not work better than placebo at preventing menstrual migraines in this 27-woman study. Both the patch and placebo reduced migraines compared to baseline, making it unclear whether the improvement came from the drug or the placebo effect.

 Moderate study design

27 women being treated for menstrual migraine

## What they did

Randomized, double-blind crossover study of 27 women with menstrual migraine. Women received either estradiol patches delivering 100 micrograms per 24 hours or placebo patches during the 2 weeks around their period. After a washout period, they switched to the other treatment for another 2 weeks of cycles.

## What they found

Both estradiol and placebo reduced the number and severity of migraine attacks compared to the baseline period before treatment. However, there was no difference between estradiol and placebo when compared directly to each other.

## What it means for you

The estradiol patch did not work better than placebo. The improvement seen with both treatments could be due to strong placebo effect or benefit from tracking symptoms. We cannot determine from this study whether the patch actually works.

27

women in study

100 μg/24 h

estradiol dose

2 weeks

treatment duration

## About the study

Original title Prevention of menstrual migraine with perimenstrual transdermal 17-β-estradiol: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study Authors Almén-Christensson A, Hammar M, Lindh-Åstrand L et al. Journal Fertility and sterility Year 2011 Study design Randomised trial Participants 27 What was tested 100 micrograms per 24 hours perimenstrual transdermal estradiol vs placebo for 2 weeks Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.05.089](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.05.089)

## Topics

[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.

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