Management of Menstrual Migraine

Abstract

Purpose of review: Migraine disease is a neurological brain disorder that has been associated with significant disability and socioeconomic burden affecting women three times more commonly than men. Menstrual migraine is a subclass of migraine disease affecting 42-61% of females living with migraine disease. Menstrual migraine is often far more disabling, of longer duration, and more resistant to treatment. It is crucial to gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing biological changes and have a current awareness of the management of this debilitating form of migraine disease to improve the quality of life of these females living with migraine disease.

Recent findings: In new treatment options such as devices and with large-scale genome-wide association studies in migraine, genes related to migraine are being identified. This article will review the current literature regarding the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and treatment of menstrual migraine.

Keywords: Estrogen; Hormonal treatment; Menstrually related migraine; Migraine disease; Pure menstrual migraine; Therapy.