Study: Migraines can worsen closer to menopause

NEW YORK — A new study published in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain is taking a look at how migraines change as women get older. Researchers from the University of Cincinnati, Albert Ensitein College of Medicine, Vedanta Research and Montefiore Headache Center have found that risk for high frequency headaches — ones that occur 10 or more days per month — increases 60% among women during perimenopause. 

 

“Changes in female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone that occur during the perimenopause might trigger increased headaches during this time,” said Dr. Richard Lipton, of the Montefiore Headache Center and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

 

The study looked at 3,664 women experiencing migraines before and during menopause, which includes perimenopause. Women in the study self-reported their headache frequency alongside characteristics of their menstrual cycles, which researchers used to classify them as pre-menopausal, perimenopausal and menopausal. 

 

During menopause, the study said, risk of high frequency headaches increased by 76%. However, researchers attributed that rise in the potential for overuse of medication rather than the direct result of hormonal changes. 

 

"Women as they get older develop lots of aches and pains, joints and back pain and it is possible their overuse of pain medications for headache and other conditions might actually drive an increase in headaches for the menopause group," Dr. Vincent Martin of UC’s general internal medicine division said.