Abstract

PIP: Female hormones are linked to migraine. Women who have had menstrual migraine and migraine onset at menarche tend to experience no migraine during pregnancy. Not all migraines improve during pregnancy, however. Some women experience migraine for the first time during pregnancy. Migraine developing during pregnancy may indicate an underlying structural or functional disorder, e.g., cerebral aneurysms. Headaches caused by cerebral arteriovenous malformations often present as migraine with aura. Cerebral venous thrombosis (common during pregnancy and the puerperium) may manifest with migraine-like visual disturbance and headache. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension or intracranial hypertension secondary to cerebral venous thrombosis or coincidental brain mass can manifest as a continuous and increasing headache. Physicians need to intensively evaluate such cases to achieve an accurate diagnosis. Spinal procedures linked to delivery can cause a low pressure headache. Oral contraceptive use is linked to migraine. Decreasing estrogen levels appear to precipitate migraine. Estradiol and progesterone therapy for menstrual migraine maintains high estrogen levels during the menstrual epoch, which generally prevents migraine. High but stable estrogen levels prevent migraine. Thus, migraines who do not suffer from migraine during pregnancy benefit from high estrogen levels. Pregnant women with migraine should not take drugs unless the frequency and severity of migraine is life threatening to the mother or fetus. Acetaminophen can be used to relieve pain. Meperidine suppositories can relieve severe pain. Pregnant women should not use aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or vasoconstrictors. Fluid replacement and acceptable antiemetic drugs can treat dehydration and vomiting. Behavioral modification, identification, and elimination of foods that trigger attacks, magnesium supplementation, and low doses of propranolol 3-4 times/day in severe cases may prevent migraine in pregnant women.