MENSTRUAL MIGRAINE

Migraine headaches are more common in females than males. Two-thirds of women implicate the menstrual cycle as a factor conditioning their migraine attacks. Many women experience migraine with increased frequency and intensity at times of hormonal change: menstruation; ovulation; the first trimester of pregnancy, and the early postpartum period. Moreover, oral contraceptive medication and replacement estrogen therapy may increase the incidence of migraine headache. The best available preventive treatment consists of cyclic percutaneous administration of estradiol. This treatment is the only one that prevents migraine attacks and preserves the hormonal cycle.