Migraine in women

Abstract

Estradiol is an important headache modulator. After menarche, cycling estradiol significantly influences headache activity, with risk of headache decreasing as estradiol levels rise and increasing when estradiol levels fall. This study follows the life a young woman, from the onset of migraine in adolescence through menopause. This case illustrates the difficulties of correctly diagnosing migraine during childhood and adolescence, variable changes that can occur with headache during pregnancies, and the frequent exacerbation of stable headaches during the perimenopausal period when estradiol levels fluctuate. The case presentation illustrates many of the common challenges faced in caring for migraine in women.