Abstract

MIGRAINE AND HORMONAL CYCLES: IMPLICATIONS FOR WOMEN’S HEALTH

Sher Mohammad Ali*, Sadaf Nissar, Aamirah Fazili, Ravi Raushan, Rashid Khan

Abstract

A common chronic, intermittent primary headache illness that primarily affects women, migraine affects 15% to 18% of adult individuals. In years spent living with a disability, migraine is ranked second. Worldwide and is among the ten most incapacitating conditions, based on data from the 2016 Global Burden of Disease. Women's reproductive systems, in contrast to men's, show regular cyclic modifications that could be teleologically understood as a regular cycle of preparation for fertilization and pregnancy. The period of cyclic ovarian function spans the brief periods of increasing or decreasing ovarian activity between puberty and menopause. Despite being a continuum, the menstrual cycle is commonly shown as starting on the menstrual cycle's first day and concluding on the final day before the subsequent menstrual cycle. The quality of life for migraineurs is enhanced by locating and removing migraine triggers. In a study conducted in Belgium, 217 migraineurs (176 women and 41 males) showed that older women with longer disease duration had a greater incidence of migraine triggers. The possibility of poly-triggers like food and drink was elevated when menstruation was present. According to the research, ovulation (8.5%) was the most frequent cause of migraines, meals (47.7%), menses (48%), stress (48.8%), and alcoholic beverages (51.6%). Postmenopausal women have been examined to examine the impact of estrogen and the usage of HRT on migraines because menopause is a natural condition of estrogen shortage. Woman's menstrual cycle, her estrogen levels change. Furthermore, perimenopause, menopause, lactation, and pregnancy all involve protracted alterations in estrogen levels. Hormone replacement treatment (HRT) and oral contraception also affect estrogen levels. Although the relationship between hormones and headaches is complex. Twenty to sixty percent of women who report having migraines say they get them during their menstrual cycle. Severe, throbbing headaches, light and sound sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms of migraines. These symptoms can make day-to-day activities difficult and even incapacitated. This paper presents a summary of publications on migraine and female hormone fluctuations from 2010 through 2023 to establish benchmark for migraine and hormonal cycles affect women's health and to support the country's healthcare system to improve community well-being.

Keywords: Migraine, Hormonal Phases, Hormonal changes, Quality of life, Menstrual cycle, Menstrual Migraine, menopause, migraine triggers.