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Neurology and Therapy

Open Access 14-03-2025 | Migraine | REVIEW

Menopause, Perimenopause, and Migraine: Understanding the Intersections and Implications for Treatment

Authors: Marta Waliszewska-Prosół, Giovanni Grandi, Raffaele Ornello, Bianca Raffaelli, Marcin Straburzyński, Claudio Tana, Paolo Martelletti

Published in: Neurology and Therapy

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Abstract

Migraine affects women three times more often than it does men, and various mechanisms may explain this incidence, including the key role of female sex hormones. Fluctuations in the levels of these hormones and their feedback control regulate the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, puerperium, perimenopause, and menopause. They can influence the occurrence and severity of migraine throughout the reproductive period. Of particular importance seems to be the perimenopausal period, which is associated with an increase in migraine, especially menstrual migraine, which is considered more disabling and less amenable to treatment than non-menstrual attacks. This article reviews the available evidence documenting the relationship between perimenopause, menopause, and migraine and diagnostic considerations in an attempt to determine the management of these periods of a woman’s life. Special considerations, future directions, and unmet needs for perimenopausal and menopausal migraine are also discussed.
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Metadata
Title
Menopause, Perimenopause, and Migraine: Understanding the Intersections and Implications for Treatment
Authors
Marta Waliszewska-Prosół
Giovanni Grandi
Raffaele Ornello
Bianca Raffaelli
Marcin Straburzyński
Claudio Tana
Paolo Martelletti
Publication date
14-03-2025
Publisher
Springer Healthcare
Published in
Neurology and Therapy
Print ISSN: 2193-8253
Electronic ISSN: 2193-6536
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-025-00720-2

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