Hormonal migraines mainly affect women and are closely linked to hormonal fluctuations, especially changes in estrogen levels. These migraines often appear at specific points in the menstrual cycle (before, during or after the period) and can be more intense than other types of migraine. Hormonal migraine causes several symptoms in women and can greatly affect their quality of life.
The influence of hormones on migraine and its symptoms
Hormones, especially estrogen, play a major role in the onset and intensity of migraines. When hormone levels fluctuate, particularly before menstruation, after childbirth or during menopause, the nervous system becomes more sensitive to pain, which can trigger an attack. These hormonal variations explain why migraine is more common in women and tends to follow a regular pattern. Also called hormonal migraine or menstrual migraine, this type of migraine is closely linked to a woman’s menstrual cycle.
What causes hormonal migraine?
Hormonal migraine is mainly caused by fluctuations in estrogen levels, a hormone that affects blood vessels and pain-related neurotransmitters. The sudden drop in estrogen just before menstruation is the most common trigger. Other times of hormonal variation can also provoke attacks, such as the postpartum period, menopause or a change in hormonal contraception. Stress, lack of sleep, dehydration and certain foods can intensify these effects, but hormonal imbalance remains at the center of the mechanism behind hormonal migraine.
Hormonal migraine symptoms
Symptoms of hormonal migraine in women are similar to those of classic migraine, but their frequency and intensity are often influenced by the menstrual cycle. Attacks usually occur between two days before and three days after the start of menstruation.
The most common hormonal migraine symptoms include:
A pulsating pain on one side of the head, often behind the eyes or at the temples.
Sensitivity to light, sounds or smells.
Nausea or vomiting.
Significant fatigue before, during or after the attack.
In some cases, blurred vision or visual auras (bright spots or zigzags).
These symptoms can last from a few hours to several days and often come with increased irritability or sleep disturbances, linked to hormonal variations.
Clinical research on hormonal migraine
Hormonal migraine, or menstrual migraine, affects many women and can significantly impact their quality of life. Linked to estrogen fluctuations, it often causes longer and more intense attacks than classic migraines. Clinical studies are underway to better understand this condition and evaluate new therapeutic approaches. This research is essential to advance medicine and offer treatments better adapted to the hormonal reality of women. At the Centre de recherche Saint-Louis, a dedicated neurology team located in Lévis is helping move many important research projects forward.