Skip to main content

Hormonally Related Headaches

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
  • 967 Accesses

Part of the book series: ISGE Series ((ISGE))

Abstract

Hormonally related headaches relate to reproductive milestones and to prescription of hormonal compounds for contraception, treatment of reproductive conditions, and relief of climacteric symptoms. Counseling should take into account the risk-benefit profile of the individual woman, especially when menstrual-related migraine (MRM) is diagnosed. Indeed, before prescribing exogenous hormones, it is crucial to evaluate vascular risk factors and potential impact on head pain. In addition, it is important to identify the so-called estrogen-withdrawal headache, in which head pain occurs during the hormone-free interval of hormonal contraception containing estrogens or hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). Even though some hormonal strategies may help, we still need some research to improve the knowledge about the use of estrogens and progestogens in women with hormonally related headaches.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   64.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Genazzani AR, Gastaldi M, Bidzinska B, Mercuri N, Genazzani AD, Nappi RE, et al. The brain as a target organ of gonadal steroids. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 1992;17:385–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Nappi RE, Nappi G. Neuroendocrine aspects of migraine in women. Gynecol Endocrinol. 2012;28(Suppl 1):37–41.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Stovner L, Hagen K, Jensen R, Katsarava Z, Lipton R, Scher A, et al. The global burden of headache: a documentation of headache prevalence and disability. Cephalalgia. 2007;27:193–210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Steiner TJ, Stovner LJ, Vos T. GBD 2015: migraine is the third cause of disability in under 50s. J Headache Pain. 2016;17:104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. May A, Schulte LH. Chronic migraine: risk factors, mechanisms and treatment. Nat Rev Neurol. 2016;12:455–64.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Stewart WF, Lipton RB, Chee E, Sawyer J, Silberstein SD. Menstrual cycle and headache in a population sample of migraineurs. Neurology. 2000;55:1517–23.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. MacGregor EA. Oestrogen and attacks of migraine with and without aura. Lancet Neurol. 2004;3:354–61.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Martin VT, Behbehani M. Ovarian hormones and migraine headache: understanding mechanisms and pathogenesis—part 2. Headache. 2006;46:365–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Martin VT, Behbehani M. Ovarian hormones and migraine headache: understanding mechanisms and pathogenesis—part I. Headache. 2006;46:3–23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS). The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd editionCephalalgia. 2018;38(1):1–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Nappi G, Jensen R, Nappi RE, Sances G, Torelli P, Olesen J. Diaries and calendars for migraine. A review. Cephalalgia. 2006;26:905–16.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. MacGregor EA, Chia H, Vohrah RC, Wilkinson M. Migraine and menstruation: a pilot study. Cephalalgia. 1990;10:305–10.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Granella F, Sances G, Zanferrari C, Costa A, Martignoni E, Manzoni GC. Migraine without aura and reproductive life events: a clinical epidemiological study in 1300 women. Headache. 1993;33:385–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. MacGregor EA, Hackshaw A. Prevalence of migraine on each day of the natural menstrual cycle. Neurology. 2004;63:351–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Sommerville BW. Estrogen-withdrawal migraine. Neurology. 1975;25:239–44.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Broner SW, Bobker S, Klebanoff L. Migraine in women. Semin Neurol. 2017;37:601–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Brandes JL. The influence of estrogen on migraine: a systematic review. JAMA. 2006;295:1824–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Pavlović JM, Allshouse AA, Santoro NF, Crawford SL, Thurston RC, Neal-Perry GS, et al. Sex hormones in women with and without migraine: evidence of migraine-specific hormone profiles. Neurology. 2016;87:49–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Couturier EG, Bomhof MA, Neven AK, van Duijn NP. Menstrual migraine in a representative Dutch population sample: prevalence, disability and treatment. Cephalalgia. 2003;23:302–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Granella F, Sances G, Allais G, et al. Characteristics of menstrual and non-menstrual attacks in women with menstrually-related migraine. Cephalalgia. 2004;24:707–16.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Nappi RE, Sances G, Brundu B, Ghiotto N, Detaddei S, Biancardi C, et al. Neuroendocrine response to the serotonin agonist M-chlorophenylpiperazine in women with menstrual status migrainosus. Neuroendocrinology. 2003;78:52–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Nappi RE, Sances G, Brundu B, De Taddei S, Sommacal A, Ghiotto N, et al. Estradiol supplementation modulates neuroendocrine response to M-chlorophenylpiperazine in menstrual status migrainosus triggered by oral contraception-free interval. Hum Reprod. 2005;20:3423–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. De Icco R, Cucinella L, De Paoli I, Martella S, Sances G, Bitetto V, et al. Modulation of nociceptive threshold by combined hormonal contraceptives in women with oestrogen-withdrawal migraine attacks: a pilot study. J Headache Pain. 2016;17:70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Loder E, Rizzoli P, Golub J. Hormonal management of migraine associated with menses and the menopause: a clinical review. Headache. 2007;47:329–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Loder EW, Buse DC, Golub J. Headache and combination estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives: integrating evidence, guidelines, and clinical practice. Headache. 2005;45:224–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. MacGregor EA. Migraine and use of combined hormonal contraceptives: a clinical review. J Fam Plann Reprod Health Care. 2007;33:159–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Steenland MW, Zapata LB, Brahmi D, Marchbanks PA, Curtis KM. Appropriate follow up to detect potential adverse events after initiation of select contraceptive methods: a systematic review. Contraception. 2013;87:611–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Massiou H, MacGregor EA. Evolution and treatment of migraine with oral contraceptives. Cephalalgia. 2000;20:170–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Aegidius K, Zwart JA, Hagen K, Schei B, Stovner LJ. Oral contraceptives and increased headache prevalence: the Head-HUNT Study. Neurology. 2006;66:349–53.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Granella F, Sances G, Pucci E, Nappi RE, Ghiotto N, Nappi G. Migraine with aura and reproductive life events: a case control study. Cephalalgia. 2000;20:701–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Curtis KM, Chrisman CE, Peterson HB, WHO Programme for Mapping Best Practices in Reproductive Health. Contraception for women in selected circumstances. Obstet Gynecol. 2002;99:1100–2.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. MacGregor EA. Contraception and headache. Headache. 2013;53:247–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Sacco S, Merki-Feld GS, Ægidius KL, Bitzer J, Canonico M, Kurth T, et al. European Headache Federation (EHF) and the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESC). Hormonal contraceptives and risk of ischemic stroke in women with migraine: a consensus statement from the European Headache Federation (EHF) and the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESC). J Headache Pain. 2017;18:108.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Nappi RE, Sances G, Allais G, Terreno E, Benedetto C, Vaccaro V, et al. Effects of an estrogen-free, desogestrel-containing oral contraceptive in women with migraine with aura: a prospective diary-based pilot study. Contraception. 2011;83:223–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Nappi RE, Merki-Feld GS, Terreno E, Pellegrinelli A, Viana M. Hormonal contraception in women with migraine: is progestogen-only contraception a better choice? J Headache Pain. 2013;14:66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Gillum LA, Mamidipudi SK, Johnston SC. Ischemic stroke risk with oral contraceptives: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2000;284:72–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. MacGregor EA, Frith A, Ellis J, Aspinall L, Hackshaw A. Prevention of menstrual attacks of migraine: a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study. Neurology. 2006;67:2159–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Tassorelli C, Greco R, Allena M, Terreno E, Nappi RE. Transdermal hormonal therapy in perimenstrual migraine: why, when and how? Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2012;16:467–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. De Leo V, Scolaro V, Musacchio MC, Di Sabatino A, Morgante G, Cianci A. Combined oral contraceptives in women with menstrual migraine without aura. Fertil Steril. 2011;96:917–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Sulak PJ, Kuehl TJ, Ortiz M, Shull BL. Acceptance of altering the standard 21-day/7-day oral contraceptive regimen to delay menses and reduce hormone withdrawal symptoms. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002;18:1142–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Nappi RE, Terreno E, Sances G, Martini E, Tonani S, Santamaria V, et al. Effect of a contraceptive pill containing estradiol valerate and dienogest (E2V/DNG) in women with menstrually-related migraine (MRM). Contraception. 2013;88:369–75.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Dinger J, Do Minh T, Heinemann K. Impact of estrogen type on cardiovascular safety of combined oral contraceptives. Contraception. 2016;94:328–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Sacco S, Merki-Feld GS, Ægidius KL, Bitzer J, Canonico M, Gantenbein AR, et al. European Headache Federation (EHF), the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESCRH). Effect of exogenous estrogens and progestogens on the course of migraine during reproductive age: a consensus statement by the European Headache Federation (EHF) and the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health (ESCRH). J Headache Pain. 2018;19:76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. MacGregor EA. Migraine management during menstruation and menopause. Continuum. 2015;21:990–1003.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Nappi RE, Sances G, Detaddei S, Ornati A, Chiovato L, Polatti F. Hormonal management of migraine at menopause. Menopause Int. 2009;15:82–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. MacGregor EA. Migraine, menopause and hormone replacement therapy. Post Reprod Health. 2018;24:11–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Nappi RE, Cagnacci A, Granella F, Piccinini F, Polatti F, Facchinetti F. Course of primary headaches during hormone replacement therapy. Maturitas. 2001;38:157–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Facchinetti F, Nappi RE, Tirelli A, Polatti F, Nappi G, Sances G. Hormone supplementation differently affects migraine in postmenopausal women. Headache. 2002;42:924–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rossella E. Nappi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Nappi, R.E. et al. (2019). Hormonally Related Headaches. In: Berga, S., Genazzani, A., Naftolin, F., Petraglia, F. (eds) Menstrual Cycle Related Disorders. ISGE Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14358-9_8

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14358-9_8

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-14357-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-14358-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics