Why women get more migraines

If you get migraines, you know all too well how disabling they can be. Around 1 in 7 people around the world are affected by migraines and females are 3 times more likely to get migraines than males. 1

Let’s take a quick look at the most common symptoms of migraine.

There are several variants of migraine, but the primary symptoms include: 

• Throbbing, pulsing pain in the head that builds up over 1 to 2 hours
• Pain that intensifies with movement or physical activity
• Pain localized to 1 side of the head which may affect the eye area or neck
• Light sensitivity
• Sound sensitivity
• Blurred vision or other vision changes
• Nausea or food intolerance
• Vomiting 2

There are many more related symptoms and each individual will recognize how migraines usually affect them personally. You can read the full list of potential migraine symptoms here. 

Migraines can seem to come out of nowhere but paying attention to your experience when you feel a migraine coming on may help you notice the signs and identify triggers. 

Here are some of the most common migraine triggers: 

• Stress
• Lack of sleep or changes to sleep schedule
• Stimulants like caffeine or alcohol
• Weather changes
• Diet
• Dehydration
• Light
• Certain smells
• Medication overuse
• Hormones 3

Around 1 in 5 females experience migraine. Nearly 2 out of 3 females who get migraines experience attacks around the same time as their period. This type of migraine is also known as menstrual migraine, period headache, period migraine, or hormonal migraine. 

For this type of migraine, monthly hormonal fluctuations are likely to be a trigger. Those who experience menstrual migraines may also get migraines at other times of the month but a drop in estrogen levels at the start of the cycle may trigger more severe attacks that last longer. 4

Attacks can also worsen at times of intense hormonal changes such as after childbirth or during menopause. Migraine symptoms tend to be less severe during the last 6 months of pregnancy.

If you get a migraine, it’s important to rest, adequately hydrate and reduce exposure to potential triggers. For many people, this means lying down in a dark, cool, quiet room.

Small amounts of caffeine may also help the early stages of a migraine but be careful if you suspect caffeine may be a trigger.

Reducing stress, sleeping well, staying hydrated, and eating regularly may also help to reduce or prevent symptoms. If you tend to get menstrual migraines, pay particular attention to your triggers and increase self-care in the lead-up to your period. 

Your healthcare provider may also recommend:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or aspirin
• Triptan medications
• Ergotamine medications
• Oral birth control pills
• Hormone therapy
• Magnesium 5

You may not be able to fully prevent migraines, but getting smart about your triggers, signs, and migraine patterns may help you manage your symptoms. Speak to your healthcare provider about the best treatment options for you or if you’re concerned about your symptoms. 

Getting to know your body and what it needs is an essential part of good self-care. Lifestyle changes that may reduce your migraine symptoms are also highly likely to benefit your overall health. So listen to your body and, as always… 

Take care of yourself,

Ada