Lack of Seasonal Variation in Menstrually-Related Migraine

Cephalalgia ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1277-1281 ◽  
Author(s):  
SI Bekkelund ◽  
KB Alstadhaug ◽  
R Salvesen
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Migraine Headache ◽  
Migraine Without Aura ◽  
Telephone Interview ◽  
Menstrual Migraine ◽  
Menstrually Related Migraine ◽  
Headache Diary ◽  
June July ◽  
Arctic Area ◽  
North Norway

The aim of the study was to study seasonal variation in migraine headache in a group of women with menstrually-related migraine (MRM) compared with non-menstrual migraine. Via newspaper advertisement, women with migraine living in North Norway were invited. The patients were included by questionnaire and telephone interview. We prospectively recorded migraine attacks from a 12-month headache diary performed by a group of 62 women with a mean age of 36.0 years (range 16-46 years), who fulfilled the criteria of migraine without aura. Of these, 29 had MRM and 33 non-menstrual migraine. Mean ratio between number of attacks in the light arctic season (May-June-July) divided with total number of migraine attacks during 12 months was 0.24 (9.4/38.4) in the group of MRM compared with 0.25 (5.6/22.1) in others (confidence interval -4.2, 6.3, P = 0.84). Nor were there more migraine attacks in the dark season in an arctic area (November-December-January) in any group. We found a higher migraine attack rate in those with MRM, but no indication of more or less frequency of attacks during the bright arctic season. These findings support the assumption that MRM and seasonal variation of migraine are due to different mechanisms.

scholarly journals Perimenstrual headache: Migraine without aura or premenstrual syndrome symptom?

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 969-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Sundic ◽  
Jasna Zidverc-Trajkovic ◽  
Svetlana Vujovic ◽  
Nadezda Sternic
Keyword(s):  
Premenstrual Syndrome ◽  
Migraine Headache ◽  
Migraine Without Aura ◽  
Tension Type Headache ◽  
Menstrual Migraine ◽  
Menstrually Related Migraine ◽  
Headache Onset ◽  
Perimenstrual Headache ◽  
Type Headache ◽  
Pure Menstrual Migraine

Background/Aim. Definition of menstrual migraine as a specific clinical entity or, maybe, migraine headache with menstrually related occurring, still remains unresolved question. The aim of this study was to investigate if perimenstrual headache in our patients fulfills diagnostic the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) criteria for migraine without aura or represents a different type of headache which is the symptom of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Methods. The study included 50 women with headache in perimenstrual period in at least two out of three menstrual cycles, during the last year or longer. Two questionnaires, a questionnaire for headache and a questionnaire for PMS, were used. Results. The majority of all the examined women, 29 of them, had migraine and PMS and 9 women had migraine without PMS. Headache in 38 (76.0%) patients fulfilled diagnostic criteria for menstrual migraine, (26 and 12 women had pure menstrual migraine and menstrually related migraine respectively). Intensity of PMS was not different in a groups of women with different types of headache (p = 0.184): a total number of PMS symptoms was 8.2 ? 4.6 in the group with pure menstrual migraine, 10.8 ? 3.9 in the group with menstrually related migraine and 10.8 ? 6.3 in the group with non-migraine headache. Conclusion. This study shows that headache, occuring in perimenstrual period, is not always migraine, but could fulfill criteria for tension-type headache, as well. Specific characteristics of perimenstrual headache, which could distinguish it as a symptom of PMS, were not found. Expected relation in time of headache onset and menarche was not confirmed.

scholarly journals Menstrual versus non-menstrual attacks of migraine without aura in women with and without menstrual migraine

Cephalalgia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (14) ◽  
pp. 1261-1268 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kjersti Grøtta Vetvik ◽  
Jūratė Šaltytė Benth ◽  
E Anne MacGregor ◽  
Christofer Lundqvist ◽  
Michael Bjørn Russell
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Migraine Without Aura ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Menstrual Migraine ◽  
Headache Disorders ◽  
Severe Nausea ◽  
Menstrual Cycles ◽  
Headache Diary

Objective The objective of this article is to compare clinical characteristics of menstrual and non-menstrual attacks of migraine without aura (MO), prospectively recorded in a headache diary, by women with and without a diagnosis of menstrual migraine without aura (MM) according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD). Material and methods A total of 237 women from the general population with self-reported migraine in ≥50% of their menstrual periods were interviewed and classified by a physician according to the criteria of the ICHD II. Subsequently, all participants were instructed to complete a prospective headache diary for at least three menstrual cycles. Clinical characteristics of menstrual and non-menstrual attacks of MO were compared by a regression model for repeated measurements. Results In total, 123 (52%) women completed the diary. In the 56 women who were prospectively diagnosed with MM by diary, the menstrual MO-attacks were longer (on average 10.65 hours, 99% CI 3.17–18.12) and more frequently accompanied by severe nausea (OR 2.14, 99% CI 1.20–3.84) than non-menstrual MO-attacks. No significant differences between menstrual and non-menstrual MO-attacks were found among women with MO, but no MM. Conclusion In women from the general population, menstrual MO-attacks differ from non-menstrual attacks only in women who fulfil the ICHD criteria for MM.

Migraine and Menstruation: A Pilot Study

Cephalalgia ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 305-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
EA MacGregor ◽  
H Chia ◽  
RC Vohrah ◽  
M Wilkinson
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Hormonal Therapy ◽  
Migraine Without Aura ◽  
Hormonal Treatment ◽  
Menstrual Migraine ◽  
Menstrual Cycles ◽  
Menstrually Related Migraine ◽  
City Of London ◽  
The City

Objective: To define the term “menstrual” migraine and to determine the prevalence of “menstrual” migraine in women attending the City of London Migraine Clinic. Design: Women attending the clinic were asked to keep a record of their migraine attacks and menstrual periods for at least 3 complete menstrual cycles. Results: Fifty-five women completed the study. “Menstrual” migraine was defined as “migraine attacks which occur regularly on or between days -2 to +3 of the menstrual cycle and at no other time”. Using this criterion, 4 (7.2%) of the women in our population had “menstrual” migraine. All 4 women had migraine without aura. A further 19 (34.5%) had an increased number of attacks at the time of menstruation in addition to attacks at other times of the cycle. Eighteen (32.7%) had attacks occurring throughout the cycle but with no increase in number at the time of menstruation. Fourteen (25.5%) had no attacks within the defined period during the 3 cycles studied. Discussion: A small percentage of women have attacks only occurring at the time of menstruation, which can he defined as true “menstrual” migraine. This group is most likely to respond to hormonal treatment. The group of 34.5% who have an increased number of attacks at the time of menstruation in addition to attacks at other times of the month could be defined as having “menstrually related” migraine and might well respond to hormonal therapy. The 32.7% who have attacks throughout the menstrual cycle without an increase at menstruation are unlikely to respond to hormonal therapy. The 25.5% who do not have attacks related to menstruation almost certainly will not respond to hormonal therapy.

scholarly journals Menstrual migraine

2007 ◽  
Vol 60 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 449-452
Author(s):  
Svetlana Simic ◽  
Petar Slankamenac ◽  
Milan Cvijanovic ◽  
Sofija Banic-Horvat ◽  
Zita Jovin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Migraine Headache ◽  
Ovarian Hormones ◽  
Menstrual Migraine ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
Estrogen Level ◽  
Headache Diary ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Cyclic Changes

Introduction. The prevalence of migraine in childhood and adolescence has not changed to a great extent, but it increases in adolescence, especially in female adolescents. Menstrual migraine ? definition. There are two types of menstrual migraine: true menstrual migraine and menstrual related migraine. True menstrual migraine occurs predominantly around menstruation, whereas menstrual related migraine occurs during menstruation, but also at other times during the month. Causes. Exaggerated or abnormal neurotransmitter responses to normal cyclic changes in the ovarian hormones are probably the basic cause of menstrual migraines. The fall in estrogen levels during menstrual cycle is trigger for the menstrual migraine. Symptoms. Menstrual migraine has the same symptoms as other types of migraine, but the pain is stronger, IT lasts longer, AND IT IS more frequent than other types of migraines. Diagnosis. In order to make a diagnosis, women are asked to keep a headache diary for three months. If the migraine headache is severe and occurs regularly between two days before and three days after the start of menstrual bleeding, it is true menstrual migraine. Therapy. Menstrual migraines are more difficult to treat than other types of migraines. Treatment principles for menstrual migraine are the same as for migraines in general, with certain particularities. Conclusion. Hormonally associated migraine is a specific clinical entity. It is important to diagnose the type of migraine, considering the fact that a decline in estrogen level at the end of menstrual cycle triggers migraine, so it can be treated by low levels of estrogen. .

A clinical interview versus prospective headache diaries in the diagnosis of menstrual migraine without aura

Cephalalgia ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 410-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kjersti G Vetvik ◽  
E Anne MacGregor ◽  
Christofer Lundqvist ◽  
Michael B Russell
Keyword(s):  
Migraine Without Aura ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Clinical Interview ◽  
Menstrual Migraine ◽  
Headache Disorders ◽  
Population Based Study ◽  
Headache Diary ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Objectives The objective of this article is to compare the diagnosis of menstrual migraine without aura (MM) from a clinical interview with prospective headache diaries in a population-based study. Material and methods A total of 237 women with self-reported migraine in at least half of menstruations were interviewed by a neurologist about headache and diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders II (ICHD II). Additionally, the MM criteria were expanded to include other types of migraine related to menstruation. Subsequently, all women were asked to complete three month prospective headache diaries. Results A total of 123 (52%) women completed both clinical interview and diaries. Thirty-eight women were excluded from the analyses: Two had incomplete diaries and 36 women recorded ≤1 menstruation, leaving 85 diaries eligible for analysis. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and Kappa for the diagnosis of MM in clinical interview vs. headache diary were 82%, 83%, 90%, 71% and 0.62 (95% CI 0.45–0.79). Using a broader definition of MM, Kappa was 0.64 (95% CI 0.47–0.83). Conclusion A thorough clinical interview is valid for the diagnosis of MM. When this is undertaken, prospective headache diaries should not be mandatory to diagnose MM but may be necessary to exclude a chance association.

Clinical Characteristics of Migraine in A Population-Based Twin Sample: Similarities and Differences Between Migraine with and Without Aura

Cephalalgia ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Kallela ◽  
M Wessman ◽  
M Färkkilä ◽  
A Palotie ◽  
M Koskenvuo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Migraine With Aura ◽  
Migraine Without Aura ◽  
Clinical Characteristics ◽  
Telephone Interview ◽  
International Headache Society ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Unilateral Headache ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Similarities And Differences

Objective: To look into clinical differences between migraine with and without aura in a population-based sample of migraineurs. Background: Migraine presents in two major forms, migraine with and migraine without aura. With the exception of the aura phase, the clinical characteristics of these entities are very similar. Despite this, however, the recent epidemiological data underline differences between migraine with and without aura. We tried to examine whether other features besides the aura differ between these two major forms of migraine. Methods: We studied 321 twins suffering from migraine with aura and 166 twins with migraine without aura from the population-based Finnish Twin Cohort. Migraine was diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Headache Society (MS). Analysis was based on the combination of a mailed questionnaire and a telephone interview by a neurologist. Special attention was paid to differences between migraine with and without aura. Results: Some qualities of headaches differed between IHS defined migraine with and without aura. Unilateral headache (Chi-squared p=0.039) and photophobia (Chi-squared p=0.010) were more typical for migraine with aura, while nausea was more typical for migraine without aura (Chi-squared p=0.002). Duration of headache in migraine without aura was also longer man in migraine with aura (Mann-Whitney U-test 0.007). Conclusions: There are clinical differences between IHS defined migraine with and without aura; even the headache phase between the two entities differs. It is worthwhile distinguishing between them when looking for the elusive genes for these more common forms of migraine.

Headache

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Krel ◽  
Paul G. Mathew
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Chief Complaint ◽  
Menstrual Migraine ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Menstrually Related Migraine ◽  
Neurology Clinic ◽  
Gender Specific ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Pure Menstrual Migraine

Migraine is a common disorder that affects women of menstruating age, and it is frequently the chief complaint of women presenting in the neurology clinic. The prevalence of menstrually related migraine can range from 20–60%, while pure menstrual migraine occurs in less than 10% of women. In addition to utilizing non–gender-specific abortive and preventative strategies, understanding migraine and its relationship to hormones, particularly estrogen, can have clinical implications for optimal treatment. This chapter seeks to provide insight into diagnosing menstrually related migraine, the role of decreased estrogen just prior to menstrual cycle onset and migraine, as well as the therapeutic options that are available to treat and possibly prevent menstrual migraine attacks.

Role of the Needling per se in Acupuncture as Prophylaxis for Menstrually Related Migraine: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study

Cephalalgia ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Linde ◽  
A Fjell ◽  
J Carlsson ◽  
C Dahlöf
Keyword(s):  
Migraine Headache ◽  
Subcutaneous Tissue ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Attack Frequency ◽  
Standard Size ◽  
Menstrually Related Migraine ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Positive Results

The objectives were to introduce a new method for controlled trials of acupuncture in the field of headache research and to examine the role of needling per se. Women with menstrually related migraine were randomized to three months of treatment with verum or placebo needles. Three standard size casts were moulded to secure the placebo needles in the head. No significant differences were found between the verum group ( n = 15) and the placebo group ( n = 13) during treatment or follow up three and six months later, either in the attack frequency or in the number of days per month with migraine, headache intensity or drug-use. The casts held the needles exactly in place despite movements of the head, and are validated as practical, hygienic and extremely durable. This method is satisfactory for controlled studies of acupuncture in headache. It is possible that the positive results in earlier clinical trials on acupuncture in migraine are attributable to other mechanisms than needling of subcutaneous tissue.

Prevalence of Migraine in a Rural Area in South Tanzania: A door-to-door Survey

Cephalalgia ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 960-966 ◽  
Author(s):  
W Dent ◽  
HK Spiss ◽  
R Helbok ◽  
WBP Matuja ◽  
S Scheunemann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Area ◽  
Prevalence Rate ◽  
Migraine Headache ◽  
Migraine Without Aura ◽  
International Headache Society ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Past ◽  
Representative Family ◽  
Affected Subject

We set out to assess the prevalence during the previous year of migraine in a rural area surrounding the Mnero Diocesan Hospital in Southern-Tanzania. A door-to-door survey from August until December 1999 using a questionnaire based on the criteria of the International Headache Society (IHS), including 1047 households with 3351 persons, was done, consisting of a screening dialogue with a representative family member followed by a face-to-face interview with the affected subject. Of the 3351 participants (female 1876; male 1475; age > 10 years), 23.1% had suffered from headache during the past year; overall prevalence of migraine was 5.0% (female 7.0%; male 2.6%); 1.4% reported migraine without aura (female 1.8%; male 0.9%); and 3.6% reported migraine with aura (female 5.2%, male 1.6%). The peak prevalence was found in female persons in the fourth (11.1%), in male persons in the third decade of life (3.8%). Compared with other African surveys, the prevalence rate of migraine headache in South Tanzania is slightly higher than among Ethiopian and Zimbabwean Africans.

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