Cohort study, 1997
Do migraines get worse at certain times in the menstrual cycle?
Only 20% of the women showed a significant relationship between their menstrual cycle and migraines. For those who did, the menstrual cycle explained a substantial amount of their migraine patterns, but the study suggests fewer women are substantially affected than previously thought.
What they did
20 women with migraine tracked their headaches, stress, and coping strategies daily for two complete menstrual cycles. Researchers used time-series statistics to test whether menstrual cycle phases predicted headache activity.
What they found
20% of participants showed significant relationships between menstrual cycle phases and headache activity. For these women, the menstrual cycle explained a substantial amount of variation in their headaches. Relationships between the menstrual cycle and stress processes were also found, but these were inconsistent across women.
What it means for you
Although some women's migraines vary with the menstrual cycle, the study suggests far fewer women are substantially affected than previously estimated in medical literature. The relationship between the cycle and stress may also vary from woman to woman, so the causes may be complex.
20
women studied
20%
showing menstrual cycle effect on migraines
2
menstrual cycles tracked
About the study
- Original title
- The menstrual cycle and migraine: a time-series analysis of 20 women migraineurs
- Authors
- Lokken C, Holm JE, Myers TC
- Journal
- Headache
- Year
- 1997
- Study design
- Cohort study
- Participants
- 20
- What was tested
- None (observational study)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1046/j.1526-4610.1997.3704235.x
Topics
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