What is menstrual migraine?
Q: What is menstrual migraine?
A: Menstrual migraine (also called catamenial migraine) is a term used to describe both true menstrual migraines and menstrually related migraines. True menstrual migraines occur in about 7%-14% of women, while most female migraneurs experience an increased number of migraine attacks throughout the menstruation cycle, referred to as menstrually related or menstrually triggered migraine.
Q: How are menstrual migraines different from other types of migraine?
A: Menstrual migraines are now considered a separate medical disorder from other types of migraine due to the fact that treatments for regular migraines do not work as well with menstrual migraines. In 2008, ICD-9 codes (346.4-346.43) were given specifically for menstrual migraine which separates it from other kinds of headache disorders.
Q: How common are menstrual-related migraines?
A: Menstrual-related migraines happen in more than 50 percent of women who have migraine headaches.
Q: Are there any differences between regular and menstrual Migraine attacks?
A: Menstrual Migraine attacks usually last longer than regular Migraine attacks, and short-term treatments do not work as well with them as they do with other kinds of Migraine. They are usually without aura, but in 2012 a case of Menstrual Migraine with aura was reported, so it is possible for them to occur with aura too. Auras affect certain parts of the brain such as vision and motor control (moving parts of the body).
Q: How many people get a Migraine at some point in their life?
A: About 40% of women and 20% of men will get a Migraine at sometime in their life; most will get their first one before they are 35 years old.
Q: What causes Menstrual Migraine?
A: The exact cause for Menstrual Migraine is unknown but it is believed to be linked to hormonal changes during the premenstrual period when estrogen levels drop significantly just before ovulation occurs.
