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Controlled Clinical Trial
. 2011 Mar 1;95(3):895-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.11.037. Epub 2010 Dec 10.

Migraine in women with chronic pelvic pain with and without endometriosis

Barbara Illowsky Karp  1 , Ninet Sinaii, Lynnette K Nieman, Stephen D Silberstein, Pamela Stratton
Affiliations
Controlled Clinical Trial

Migraine in women with chronic pelvic pain with and without endometriosis

Barbara Illowsky Karp et al. Fertil Steril. .

Abstract

Objective: To examine the prevalence of migraine in women with chronic pelvic pain with and without endometriosis.

Design: Prospective study of headache, pelvic pain, and quality of life before laparoscopic surgery for pelvic pain. Endometriosis was diagnosed pathologically. Headaches were classified as migraine or non-migraine using International Headache Society criteria.

Setting: Clinical research hospital.

Patient(s): 108 women in a clinical trial for chronic pelvic pain (NCT00001848).

Intervention(s): Laparoscopy to diagnose endometriosis, assessment by neurologist to assess headaches.

Main outcome measure(s): Prevalence of migraine and other headaches in women with chronic pelvic pain with or without endometriosis. Headache frequency, severity and relationship to pelvic pain and endometriosis.

Result(s): Lifetime prevalence of definite or possible migraine was 67% of women with chronic pelvic pain. An additional 8% met criteria for possible migraine. Migraine was no more likely in women with endometriosis than those without. Women with the most severe headaches had a lower quality of life compared with those with pelvic pain alone.

Conclusion(s): Migraine headache is common in women with chronic pelvic pain, regardless of endometriosis, and contributes to disability in those with both conditions. The strong association suggests a common pathophysiology.

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References

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