Migraine and estrogen

Nu Cindy Chai, B. Lee Peterlin, Anne H. Calhoun

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

53 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim is to systematically and critically review the relationship between migraine and estrogen, the predominant female sex hormone, with a focus on studies published in the last 18 months. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent functional MRI (fMRI) studies of the brain support the existence of anatomical and functional differences between men and women, as well as between participants with migraine and healthy controls. In addition to the naturally occurring changes in endogenous sex hormones over the lifespan (e.g. puberty and menopause), exogenous sex hormones (e.g. hormonal contraception or hormone therapy) also may modulate migraine. Recent data support the historical view of an elevated risk of migraine with significant drops in estrogen levels. In addition, several lines of research support that reducing the magnitude of decline in estrogen concentrations prevents menstrually related migraine (MRM) and migraine aura frequency. SUMMARY: Current literature has consistently demonstrated that headache, in particular migraine, is more prevalent in women as compared with men, specifically during reproductive years. Recent studies have found differences in headache characteristics, central nervous system anatomy, as well as functional activation by fMRI between the sexes in migraine patients. Although the cause underlying these differences is likely multifactorial, considerable evidence supports an important role for sex hormones. Recent studies continue to support that MRM is precipitated by drops in estrogen concentrations, and minimizing this decline may prevent these headaches. Limited data also suggest that specific regimens of combined hormone contraceptive use in MRM and migraine with aura may decrease both headache frequency and aura.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)315-324
Number of pages10
JournalCurrent opinion in neurology
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • estradiol
  • estrogen
  • headache
  • migraine
  • sex hormone

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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