--- title: How do female hormones affect migraines and headaches? | Niyora description: Estrogen withdrawal appears to trigger menstrually-related migraines rather than sustained high or low hormone levels. Migraines are much more common in adult url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/sex-hormones-and-headache-2000/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - How do female hormones affect migraines and headaches? Survey study, 2000 # How do female hormones affect migraines and headaches? Estrogen withdrawal appears to trigger menstrually-related migraines rather than sustained high or low hormone levels. Migraines are much more common in adult women than in men. Early or limited evidence Review of research on how female hormones relate to migraines and headaches. ## What they did This review examined how female hormones affect migraines and other headaches, and how hormonal changes during menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and birth control pill use relate to migraine patterns. ## What they found Estrogen withdrawal appears to be the main trigger for menstrually-related migraines, not sustained high or low levels. In childhood, migraines occur in 4 out of every 100 boys and girls at equal rates. In adults, migraines occur in 18 out of every 100 women and 6 out of every 100 men. Migraines develop most frequently during adolescence. ## What it means for you For women whose migraines link to their cycle, the key factor appears to be the drop in estrogen around menstruation rather than the hormone level itself. This suggests treatment might include timing medication around menstruation or adjusting hormone levels. This is a review of existing research rather than a new study, so it explains current understanding but does not test a specific treatment. 18 per 100 adult women with migraines 6 per 100 adult men with migraines 4 per 100 children with migraines ## About the study Original title Sex hormones and headache Authors Silberstein SD Journal Revue neurologique Year 2000 Study design Survey study Participants 100 Read the paper [doi.org/10.3109/9780203488003-16](https://doi.org/10.3109/9780203488003-16) ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pmdd/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Oral contraceptives and drospirenone](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-hormonal-contraceptives/)[Perimenopause and menopause](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-perimenopause/)[Pregnancy and postpartum](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-postpartum/)[Migraine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-migraine/)[Adolescents and young people](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-adolescents/) 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? Review, 2019 How does the menstrual cycle affect migraine in women? Cohort study, 2006 How should severe period pain in teenagers be treated? Randomised trial, 2001 Do changing reproductive hormones disrupt the body's internal clock and cause mood disorders? Survey study, 2001 Can hormonal changes cause headaches? Randomised trial, 2025 Can soy isoflavone supplements help with PMS and PMDD symptoms? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗