Review, 2012
Does estrogen therapy help migraines linked to the menstrual cycle?
Evidence shows estrogen fluctuations trigger these migraines. Stopping these changes through treatment or menopause may help or sometimes worsen symptoms, though we need more research to confirm this works in practice.
What they did
This was a review of research on estrogen's role in migraine. The authors summarized both laboratory studies and clinical studies.
What they found
Evidence strongly supports that estrogen fluctuations trigger migraine attacks. Stopping these fluctuations (as happens at menopause) may lead to remission or, conversely, to worsening of migraines. The exact mechanisms remain unknown.
What it means for you
Controlling estrogen levels might help menstrual migraines. The main limitation is that this reviews existing research rather than testing new approaches, so clinical trials are needed to confirm effectiveness. The exact mechanisms are still unknown.
About the study
- Original title
- Transdermal hormonal therapy in perimenstrual migraine: why, when and how?
- Authors
- Tassorelli C, Greco R, Allena M et al.
- Journal
- Current pain and headache reports
- Year
- 2012
- Study design
- Review
- What was tested
- Estrogen modulation through transdermal therapy
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1007/s11916-012-0293-8
Topics
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