Survey study, 1993
Do women with menstrual migraine also have premenstrual syndrome?
Many do. Fourteen of 22 women with menstrual migraine met diagnostic criteria for PMS, and their symptom patterns followed the same menstrual rhythm as women with PMS alone.
What they did
Cross-sectional study comparing 22 women with menstrual migraine, 12 with migraine without aura, and 15 with PMS. All completed the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire for two consecutive menstrual cycles.
What they found
Fourteen of 22 menstrual migraine patients met diagnostic criteria for PMS. Four of 12 migraine without aura patients had PMS. In those with both conditions, Menstrual Distress Questionnaire scores were similar to PMS-only patients. Premenstrual increase in symptom clusters was identical between groups except for negative mood.
What it means for you
Menstrual migraine and PMS frequently occur together, suggesting these conditions overlap. The study is small and based only on questionnaires, not clinical examination, making it preliminary.
14 of 22
Menstrual migraine patients meeting PMS criteria
4 of 12
Migraine without aura patients meeting PMS criteria
2
Menstrual cycles observed per participant
About the study
- Original title
- The association of menstrual migraine with the premenstrual syndrome
- Authors
- Facchinetti F, Neri I, Martignoni E et al.
- Journal
- Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache
- Year
- 1993
- Study design
- Survey study
- Participants
- 22
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1046/j.1468-2982.1993.1306422.x
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