---
title: Are triptans effective for menstrual migraine? | Niyora
description: Yes. Triptans are effective for treating menstrual migraine both as a treatment taken when a migraine starts and as prevention taken regularly to stop migrain
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/the-use-of-triptans-in-the-management-of-menstrual-migraine-2005/
---

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- Are triptans effective for menstrual migraine?

Randomised trial, 2005

# Are triptans effective for menstrual migraine?

Yes. Triptans are effective for treating menstrual migraine both as a treatment taken when a migraine starts and as prevention taken regularly to stop migraines before they happen.

 Strong study design

Women with menstrual migraine

## What they did

This reviewed evidence from clinical studies of triptans for menstrual migraine. It examined controlled trials that tested how well triptans work and open-label studies where patients openly received triptans.

## What they found

Triptans work effectively for acute treatment (taken at the start of a migraine) and preventive therapy. Sumatriptan and zolmitriptan were tested in prospective randomised controlled trials for acute treatment. Sumatriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan and zolmitriptan were tested for preventive therapy. Taking a triptan early, when the headache is still mild, provides the best chance of rapid and complete pain relief.

## What it means for you

Women with menstrual migraine can use triptans the same way as for other migraines. Keeping a diary for three menstrual cycles to track when migraines occur helps predict menstrual migraines and decide when to take preventive treatment. The main limit is this is a review of studies, not a single large trial.

## About the study

Original title The use of triptans in the management of menstrual migraine Authors Mannix LK, Files JA Journal CNS drugs Year 2005 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Triptans (sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan) Read the paper [doi.org/10.2165/00023210-200519110-00005](https://doi.org/10.2165/00023210-200519110-00005)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Migraine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-migraine/)

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