More Women than Men Have Migraines

No one knows why, but women are about three times more likely to have migraines than men. The fact that the rates of migraines in the sexes is about equal until puberty leads some researchers to conclude that migraines may be somehow linked to hormone levels, an idea that is further supported by recent research showing that the frequency and severity of migraines in women is affected by pregnancy.

Unfortunately, no one knows exactly how pregnancy hormones will affect migraines in individual women. There is no consistency—research has shown that about one-third of pregnant women find their migraine pain decreases, while two-thirds experience an increase. It is also harder to help relieve migraine pain in pregnant women, as many drugs normally prescribed are off limits before, during, and after pregnancy (if nursing) because they can harm the baby.

After pregnancy, pain levels in migraine patients return to normal, whatever that is. And for many women that is pretty awful. Migraines can cause extreme light, smell, and sound sensitivity, as well as pain that is so violent it induces vomiting. More than just a bad headache, a migraine can last for days on end, and eventually lead to disability and loss of employment.

The Wasser Pain Management Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital sees between 800 and 1000 patients a years, 70% of which are women. The Centre employs the use of prescription drugs and alternative therapies such as biofeedback and relaxation techniques. The latter treatments can be especially helpful to pregnant and nursing women, as well as for those who are trying to conceive, for whom medications are not an option.









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