Skip to main content
Top
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Short report

Contraceptive-induced amenorrhoea leads to reduced migraine frequency in women with menstrual migraine without aura

Authors: Kjersti Grøtta Vetvik, E Anne MacGregor, Christofer Lundqvist, Michael Bjørn Russell

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Menstrual migraine without aura (MM) affects approximately 20% of female migraineurs in the general population. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of contraception on the attacks of migraine without aura (MO) in women with MM.

Findings

141 women from the general population with a history of MM according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders II (ICHD II) were interviewed by a headache specialist. Of 49 women with a history of MM currently using hormonal contraception, 23 reported amenorrhoea. Significantly more women with amenorrhoea reported no MO- days during the preceding month compared to women without amenorrhoea (OR 16.1; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8-140.4; P = 0.003). A reduction of MO-frequency was more often reported in women with than without amenorrhoea (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.1-11.4; P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Amenorrhoea leads to a reduction of MO-frequency in women with MM using hormonal contraceptives. Future prospective studies on MM should focus on contraceptive methods that achieve amenorrhoea.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Russell MB, Rasmussen BK, Fenger K, Olesen J: Migraine without aura and migraine with aura are distinct clinical entities: a study of four hundred and eighty-four male and female migraineurs from the general population. Cephalalgia 1996, 16(4):239–245. 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1996.1604239.xCrossRefPubMed Russell MB, Rasmussen BK, Fenger K, Olesen J: Migraine without aura and migraine with aura are distinct clinical entities: a study of four hundred and eighty-four male and female migraineurs from the general population. Cephalalgia 1996, 16(4):239–245. 10.1046/j.1468-2982.1996.1604239.xCrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Vetvik KG, Macgregor EA, Lundqvist C, Russell MB: Prevalence of menstrual migraine: a population-based study. Cephalalgia 2014, 34(4):280–288. 10.1177/0333102413507637CrossRefPubMed Vetvik KG, Macgregor EA, Lundqvist C, Russell MB: Prevalence of menstrual migraine: a population-based study. Cephalalgia 2014, 34(4):280–288. 10.1177/0333102413507637CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society: The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version). Cephalalgia 2013, 33(9):629–808.CrossRef Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society: The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition (beta version). Cephalalgia 2013, 33(9):629–808.CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society: The International Classification of Headache Disorders: 2nd edition. Cephalalgia 2004, 24(1):9–160. Headache Classification Subcommittee of the International Headache Society: The International Classification of Headache Disorders: 2nd edition. Cephalalgia 2004, 24(1):9–160.
5.
go back to reference MacGregor EA, Frith A, Ellis J, Aspinall L, Hackshaw A: Incidence of migraine relative to menstrual cycle phases of rising and falling estrogen. Neurology 2006, 67(12):2154–2158. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000233888.18228.19 10.1212/01.wnl.0000233888.18228.19CrossRefPubMed MacGregor EA, Frith A, Ellis J, Aspinall L, Hackshaw A: Incidence of migraine relative to menstrual cycle phases of rising and falling estrogen. Neurology 2006, 67(12):2154–2158. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000233888.18228.19 10.1212/01.wnl.0000233888.18228.19CrossRefPubMed
6.
go back to reference Machado RB, Pereira AP, Coelho GP, Neri L, Martins L, Luminoso D: Epidemiological and clinical aspects of migraine in users of combined oral contraceptives. Contraception 2010, 81(3):202–208. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2009.09.006 10.1016/j.contraception.2009.09.006CrossRefPubMed Machado RB, Pereira AP, Coelho GP, Neri L, Martins L, Luminoso D: Epidemiological and clinical aspects of migraine in users of combined oral contraceptives. Contraception 2010, 81(3):202–208. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2009.09.006 10.1016/j.contraception.2009.09.006CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Kvisvik EV, Stovner LJ, Helde G, Bovim G, Linde M: Headache and migraine during pregnancy and puerperium: the MIGRA-study. J Headache Pain 2011, 12(4):443–451. doi:10.1007/s10194–011–0329–1 10.1007/s10194-011-0329-1PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed Kvisvik EV, Stovner LJ, Helde G, Bovim G, Linde M: Headache and migraine during pregnancy and puerperium: the MIGRA-study. J Headache Pain 2011, 12(4):443–451. doi:10.1007/s10194–011–0329–1 10.1007/s10194-011-0329-1PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference 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(12):2159–2163. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000249114.52802.55 10.1212/01.wnl.0000249114.52802.55CrossRefPubMed 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(12):2159–2163. doi:10.1212/01.wnl.0000249114.52802.55 10.1212/01.wnl.0000249114.52802.55CrossRefPubMed
9.
go back to reference Sacco S, Ricci S, Degan D, Carolei A: Migraine in women: the role of hormones and their impact on vascular diseases. J Headache Pain 2012, 13(3):177–189. doi:10.1007/s10194–012–0424-y 10.1007/s10194-012-0424-yPubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed Sacco S, Ricci S, Degan D, Carolei A: Migraine in women: the role of hormones and their impact on vascular diseases. J Headache Pain 2012, 13(3):177–189. doi:10.1007/s10194–012–0424-y 10.1007/s10194-012-0424-yPubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Nattero G, Allais G, De Lorenzo C, Benedetto C, Zonca M, Melzi E, Massobrio M: Relevance of prostaglandins in true menstrual migraine. Headache 1989, 29(4):233–238. 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1989.hed22904233.xCrossRefPubMed Nattero G, Allais G, De Lorenzo C, Benedetto C, Zonca M, Melzi E, Massobrio M: Relevance of prostaglandins in true menstrual migraine. Headache 1989, 29(4):233–238. 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1989.hed22904233.xCrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Somerville BW, Carey HM: The use of continuous progestogen contraception in the treatment of migraine. Med J Aust 1970, 1(21):1043–1045.PubMed Somerville BW, Carey HM: The use of continuous progestogen contraception in the treatment of migraine. Med J Aust 1970, 1(21):1043–1045.PubMed
12.
go back to reference Master-Hunter T, Heiman DL: Amenorrhea: evaluation and treatment. Am Fam Physician 2006, 73(8):1374–1382.PubMed Master-Hunter T, Heiman DL: Amenorrhea: evaluation and treatment. Am Fam Physician 2006, 73(8):1374–1382.PubMed
13.
go back to reference Somerville BW: The role of estradiol withdrawal in the etiology of menstrual migraine. Neurology 1972, 22(4):355–365. 10.1212/WNL.22.4.355CrossRefPubMed Somerville BW: The role of estradiol withdrawal in the etiology of menstrual migraine. Neurology 1972, 22(4):355–365. 10.1212/WNL.22.4.355CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Calhoun A, Ford S, Pruitt A: The impact of extended-cycle vaginal ring contraception on migraine aura: a retrospective case series. Headache 2012, 52(8):1246–1253. doi:10.1111/j.1526–4610.2012.02211.x 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2012.02211.xCrossRefPubMed Calhoun A, Ford S, Pruitt A: The impact of extended-cycle vaginal ring contraception on migraine aura: a retrospective case series. Headache 2012, 52(8):1246–1253. doi:10.1111/j.1526–4610.2012.02211.x 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2012.02211.xCrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference 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(4):917–920. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.07.1089 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.07.1089CrossRefPubMed 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(4):917–920. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.07.1089 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.07.1089CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference MacGregor EA: Contraception and headache. Headache 2013, 53(2):247–276. doi:10.1111/head.12035 10.1111/head.12035CrossRefPubMed MacGregor EA: Contraception and headache. Headache 2013, 53(2):247–276. doi:10.1111/head.12035 10.1111/head.12035CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Luukkainen T, Toivonen J: Levonorgestrel-releasing IUD as a method of contraception with therapeutic properties. Contraception 1995, 52(5):269–276. 10.1016/0010-7824(95)00210-2CrossRefPubMed Luukkainen T, Toivonen J: Levonorgestrel-releasing IUD as a method of contraception with therapeutic properties. Contraception 1995, 52(5):269–276. 10.1016/0010-7824(95)00210-2CrossRefPubMed
18.
go back to reference Durham PL, Vause CV, Derosier F, McDonald S, Cady R, Martin V: Changes in salivary prostaglandin levels during menstrual migraine with associated dysmenorrhea. Headache 2010, 50(5):844–851. doi:10.1111/j.1526–4610.2010.01657.x 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2010.01657.xCrossRefPubMed Durham PL, Vause CV, Derosier F, McDonald S, Cady R, Martin V: Changes in salivary prostaglandin levels during menstrual migraine with associated dysmenorrhea. Headache 2010, 50(5):844–851. doi:10.1111/j.1526–4610.2010.01657.x 10.1111/j.1526-4610.2010.01657.xCrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Contraceptive-induced amenorrhoea leads to reduced migraine frequency in women with menstrual migraine without aura
Authors
Kjersti Grøtta Vetvik
E Anne MacGregor
Christofer Lundqvist
Michael Bjørn Russell
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1129-2377-15-30

Other articles of this Issue 1/2014

The Journal of Headache and Pain 1/2014 Go to the issue