Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPerimenopause and MigrainesHow Hormonal Headaches FeelTreatmentImprovements After Menopause
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Perimenopause and Migraines
How Hormonal Headaches Feel
Treatment
Improvements After Menopause
This article will discuss why migraines increase with the changes of menopause and what you can do to manage your migraines as you get closer to menopause.
When Is a Headache a Migraine?
5 Signs You’re Entering Menopause
Can Periomenopause Cause Migraines and Headaches?
A precise explanation for why migraines increase during perimenopause is unclear, but experts suspect the following factors:
A study in the journalHeadacheused data from the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention (AMPP) study to look at whether or not migraines increased during perimenopause for female migraine sufferers.Sure enough, the researchers found that for the 3,664 women involved in the study, the risk for developing high-frequency migraines during perimenopause—defined as having 10 or more migraines per month—was more significant than it was for women with migraines who were still in the premenopausal stage (before perimenopause and menopause).
Other studies have found that some women first start getting migraines during perimenopause.By the time women reach menopause, about 40% of them have had a migraine at some time in their life.
Keep in mind that not everyone experiences worse migraines during perimenopause. Though many women see an increase, some find there’s no change.
What Do Hormonal Headaches Feel Like?
Maritsa Patrinos / Verywell
Treating Your Migraine Attacks
The good news is that there are therapies to help you if you notice more migraine attacks as you near menopause.
Consider Medication
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at the lowest effective dose may be used during perimenopause or early menopause to relieve hot flashes and vaginal atrophy.Its effect on migraine prevention during perimenopause or menopause is nuanced, with estrogen affecting people differently depending on individual factors like medical history and age.
While hormone therapy can do wonders for some women, it does carry some health risks and may not be appropriate for you based on your medical history. A thoughtful conversation is needed with your healthcare provider before this can be prescribed.
Medications for Preventing Episodic Migraines
Eat Nutritiously
Eating a diet rich in nutrients supports overall health, and there is some evidence that migraine frequency can be positively impacted with certain diets. For example, in those with celiac disease, eliminating gluten reduced migraine, as well as other uncomfortable symptoms, once gluten was eliminated.Some studies show a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids is also beneficial to migraine sufferers.
Limit Alcohol
Alcohol is a migraine trigger for up to 75% of those who experience migraines. In particular, red wine is known to have a positive correlation with migraine.Some of the reasons for this might be related to alcohol’s dehydrating effects.
Exercise Regularly
Get Adequate Sleep
Sleep disorders likeinsomniaandsleep apneaincrease migraines in those who suffer from episodes.Getting a restful night’s sleep is an important way of ensuring as many migraine-free days as possible.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydrationis a well-known risk factor for headaches, including migraine. When you’re dehydrated, the blood volume to the brain is decreased, which leads to poorer oxygenation.Drinking wateris an excellent way to maintain hydration, but eating foods that have a high water content also helps.
Hormone Therapy for Menopause
Scientific studies are somewhat conflicting as to whether migraines improve when you’re postmenopausal. Some show migraines improve after menopause and others show they worsen.
Experts suggest that the conflicting studies imply that other factors determine the likelihood of migraines after menopause. Some of these influences include:
Most women can expect to see improvement in their migraines after menopause, probably due to much more stable, though significantly lower hormonal levels.
Summary
Perimenopause is a hallmark period that signals a decline inestrogenin your body. This can prompt a variety of changes, including migraines. It is thought that a decrease in levels of estrogen leads to increased migraine during this time. Factors that can help perimenopausal symptoms such as migraine, include medication and lifestyle changes like ensuring adequate sleep and hydration, exercise, nutrition, and limiting alcohol. Once menopause is complete, some migraine sufferers may notice a marked decrease in migraine days.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. National Institutes of Health,Migraine.Bernardi M, Lazzeri L, Perelli F, Reis FM, Petraglia F.Dysmenorrhea and related disorders. F1000Res. 2017;6:1645. doi:10.12688/f1000research.11682.1Martin VT, Pavlovic J, Fanning KM, Buse DC, Reed ML, Lipton RB.Perimenopause and menopause are associated with high frequency headache in women with migraine: Results of the American migraine prevalence and prevention study.Headache. 2016;56(2):292-305. doi:10.1111/head.12763Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in menopausal women: a systematic review.Int J Womens Health. 2015;7:773-82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073Faubion SS, Batur P, Calhoun AH.Migraine Throughout the Female Reproductive Life Cycle. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018;93(5):639-645. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.11.027Dzator JSA, Howe PRC, Griffiths LR, Coupland KG, Wong RHX.Cerebrovascular function in hormonal migraine: an exploratory study.Front Neurol. 2021;12:694980. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.694980Pavlović JM.Evaluation and management of migraine in midlife women.Menopause. 2018;25(8):927-929. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001104Fait T.Menopause hormone therapy: latest developments and clinical practice.Drugs Context. 2019;8:212551. doi:10.7573/dic.212551Reddy N, Desai MN, Schoenbrunner A, Schneeberger S, Janis JE.The complex relationship between estrogen and migraines: a scoping review.Syst Rev. 2021;10:72. doi:10.1186/s13643-021-01618-4Agbetou M, Adoukonou T.Lifestyle modifications for migraine management.Front Neurol. 2022;13:719467. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.719467Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in menopausal women: a systematic review.Int J Womens Health. 2015;7:773-82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073Additional ReadingCalhoun AH.Estrogen-Associated Migraine. UpToDate. Updated December 17, 2018. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/estrogen-associated-migraine.Faubion S, Batur P, Calhoun AH.Migraine Throughout the Female Reproductive Life Cycle.Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2018 May;93(5):639–645. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.11.027.Martin VT, Pavlovic J, Fanning KM, Buse DC, Reed ML, Lipton RB.Perimenopause and Menopause Are Associated With High Frequency Headache in Women With Migraine: Results of the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study.Headache.2016 Feb;56(2):292–305. doi:10.1111/head.12763.Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review.International Journal ofWomen’s Health. August 20, 2015;7:773–82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073.The North American Menopause Society.The Menopause Practice: A Clinician’s Guide. 5th ed. Mayfield Heights, OH: The North American Menopause Society; 2014.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. National Institutes of Health,Migraine.Bernardi M, Lazzeri L, Perelli F, Reis FM, Petraglia F.Dysmenorrhea and related disorders. F1000Res. 2017;6:1645. doi:10.12688/f1000research.11682.1Martin VT, Pavlovic J, Fanning KM, Buse DC, Reed ML, Lipton RB.Perimenopause and menopause are associated with high frequency headache in women with migraine: Results of the American migraine prevalence and prevention study.Headache. 2016;56(2):292-305. doi:10.1111/head.12763Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in menopausal women: a systematic review.Int J Womens Health. 2015;7:773-82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073Faubion SS, Batur P, Calhoun AH.Migraine Throughout the Female Reproductive Life Cycle. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018;93(5):639-645. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.11.027Dzator JSA, Howe PRC, Griffiths LR, Coupland KG, Wong RHX.Cerebrovascular function in hormonal migraine: an exploratory study.Front Neurol. 2021;12:694980. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.694980Pavlović JM.Evaluation and management of migraine in midlife women.Menopause. 2018;25(8):927-929. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001104Fait T.Menopause hormone therapy: latest developments and clinical practice.Drugs Context. 2019;8:212551. doi:10.7573/dic.212551Reddy N, Desai MN, Schoenbrunner A, Schneeberger S, Janis JE.The complex relationship between estrogen and migraines: a scoping review.Syst Rev. 2021;10:72. doi:10.1186/s13643-021-01618-4Agbetou M, Adoukonou T.Lifestyle modifications for migraine management.Front Neurol. 2022;13:719467. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.719467Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in menopausal women: a systematic review.Int J Womens Health. 2015;7:773-82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073Additional ReadingCalhoun AH.Estrogen-Associated Migraine. UpToDate. Updated December 17, 2018. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/estrogen-associated-migraine.Faubion S, Batur P, Calhoun AH.Migraine Throughout the Female Reproductive Life Cycle.Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2018 May;93(5):639–645. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.11.027.Martin VT, Pavlovic J, Fanning KM, Buse DC, Reed ML, Lipton RB.Perimenopause and Menopause Are Associated With High Frequency Headache in Women With Migraine: Results of the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study.Headache.2016 Feb;56(2):292–305. doi:10.1111/head.12763.Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review.International Journal ofWomen’s Health. August 20, 2015;7:773–82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073.The North American Menopause Society.The Menopause Practice: A Clinician’s Guide. 5th ed. Mayfield Heights, OH: The North American Menopause Society; 2014.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. National Institutes of Health,Migraine.Bernardi M, Lazzeri L, Perelli F, Reis FM, Petraglia F.Dysmenorrhea and related disorders. F1000Res. 2017;6:1645. doi:10.12688/f1000research.11682.1Martin VT, Pavlovic J, Fanning KM, Buse DC, Reed ML, Lipton RB.Perimenopause and menopause are associated with high frequency headache in women with migraine: Results of the American migraine prevalence and prevention study.Headache. 2016;56(2):292-305. doi:10.1111/head.12763Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in menopausal women: a systematic review.Int J Womens Health. 2015;7:773-82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073Faubion SS, Batur P, Calhoun AH.Migraine Throughout the Female Reproductive Life Cycle. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018;93(5):639-645. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.11.027Dzator JSA, Howe PRC, Griffiths LR, Coupland KG, Wong RHX.Cerebrovascular function in hormonal migraine: an exploratory study.Front Neurol. 2021;12:694980. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.694980Pavlović JM.Evaluation and management of migraine in midlife women.Menopause. 2018;25(8):927-929. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001104Fait T.Menopause hormone therapy: latest developments and clinical practice.Drugs Context. 2019;8:212551. doi:10.7573/dic.212551Reddy N, Desai MN, Schoenbrunner A, Schneeberger S, Janis JE.The complex relationship between estrogen and migraines: a scoping review.Syst Rev. 2021;10:72. doi:10.1186/s13643-021-01618-4Agbetou M, Adoukonou T.Lifestyle modifications for migraine management.Front Neurol. 2022;13:719467. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.719467Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in menopausal women: a systematic review.Int J Womens Health. 2015;7:773-82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. National Institutes of Health,Migraine.
Bernardi M, Lazzeri L, Perelli F, Reis FM, Petraglia F.Dysmenorrhea and related disorders. F1000Res. 2017;6:1645. doi:10.12688/f1000research.11682.1
Martin VT, Pavlovic J, Fanning KM, Buse DC, Reed ML, Lipton RB.Perimenopause and menopause are associated with high frequency headache in women with migraine: Results of the American migraine prevalence and prevention study.Headache. 2016;56(2):292-305. doi:10.1111/head.12763
Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in menopausal women: a systematic review.Int J Womens Health. 2015;7:773-82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073
Faubion SS, Batur P, Calhoun AH.Migraine Throughout the Female Reproductive Life Cycle. Mayo Clin Proc. 2018;93(5):639-645. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.11.027
Dzator JSA, Howe PRC, Griffiths LR, Coupland KG, Wong RHX.Cerebrovascular function in hormonal migraine: an exploratory study.Front Neurol. 2021;12:694980. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.694980
Pavlović JM.Evaluation and management of migraine in midlife women.Menopause. 2018;25(8):927-929. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000001104
Fait T.Menopause hormone therapy: latest developments and clinical practice.Drugs Context. 2019;8:212551. doi:10.7573/dic.212551
Reddy N, Desai MN, Schoenbrunner A, Schneeberger S, Janis JE.The complex relationship between estrogen and migraines: a scoping review.Syst Rev. 2021;10:72. doi:10.1186/s13643-021-01618-4
Agbetou M, Adoukonou T.Lifestyle modifications for migraine management.Front Neurol. 2022;13:719467. doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.719467
Calhoun AH.Estrogen-Associated Migraine. UpToDate. Updated December 17, 2018. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/estrogen-associated-migraine.Faubion S, Batur P, Calhoun AH.Migraine Throughout the Female Reproductive Life Cycle.Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2018 May;93(5):639–645. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.11.027.Martin VT, Pavlovic J, Fanning KM, Buse DC, Reed ML, Lipton RB.Perimenopause and Menopause Are Associated With High Frequency Headache in Women With Migraine: Results of the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study.Headache.2016 Feb;56(2):292–305. doi:10.1111/head.12763.Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review.International Journal ofWomen’s Health. August 20, 2015;7:773–82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073.The North American Menopause Society.The Menopause Practice: A Clinician’s Guide. 5th ed. Mayfield Heights, OH: The North American Menopause Society; 2014.
Calhoun AH.Estrogen-Associated Migraine. UpToDate. Updated December 17, 2018. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/estrogen-associated-migraine.
Faubion S, Batur P, Calhoun AH.Migraine Throughout the Female Reproductive Life Cycle.Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2018 May;93(5):639–645. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2017.11.027.
Martin VT, Pavlovic J, Fanning KM, Buse DC, Reed ML, Lipton RB.Perimenopause and Menopause Are Associated With High Frequency Headache in Women With Migraine: Results of the American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study.Headache.2016 Feb;56(2):292–305. doi:10.1111/head.12763.
Ripa P, Ornello R, Degan D, et al.Migraine in Menopausal Women: A Systematic Review.International Journal ofWomen’s Health. August 20, 2015;7:773–82. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S70073.
The North American Menopause Society.The Menopause Practice: A Clinician’s Guide. 5th ed. Mayfield Heights, OH: The North American Menopause Society; 2014.
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