UNLABELLED: Catamenial migraine is a headache disorder occurring in reproductive-aged women relevant to menstrual cycles. Catamenial migraine is defined as attacks of migraine that occurs regularly in at least 2 of 3 consecutive menstrual cycles and occurs exclusively on day 1 to 2 of menstruation, but may range from 2 days before (defined as -2) to 3 days after (defined as +3 with the first day of menstruation as day +1). There are 2 subtypes: the pure menstrual migraine and menstrually related migraine. In pure menstrual migraine, there are no aura and no migraine occurring during any other time of the menstrual cycle. In contrast, menstrually related migraine also occurs in 2 of 3 consecutive menstrual cycles, mostly on days 1 and 2 of menstruation, but it may occur outside the menstrual cycle. Catamenial migraine significantly interferes with the quality of life and causes functional disability in most sufferers. The fluctuation of estrogen levels is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of catamenial migraine. In this review, we discuss estrogen and its direct and indirect pathophysiologic roles in menstrual-related migraine headaches and the available treatment for women. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to discuss the pathophysiology of catamenial migraine, identify the risk factors for catamenial migraine among women, and list the prophylactic and abortive treatments for migraines.
UNLABELLED: Catamenial migraine is a headache disorder occurring in reproductive-aged women relevant to menstrual cycles. Catamenial migraine is defined as attacks of migraine that occurs regularly in at least 2 of 3 consecutive menstrual cycles and occurs exclusively on day 1 to 2 of menstruation, but may range from 2 days before (defined as -2) to 3 days after (defined as +3 with the first day of menstruation as day +1). There are 2 subtypes: the pure menstrual migraine and menstrually related migraine. In pure menstrual migraine, there are no aura and no migraine occurring during any other time of the menstrual cycle. In contrast, menstrually related migraine also occurs in 2 of 3 consecutive menstrual cycles, mostly on days 1 and 2 of menstruation, but it may occur outside the menstrual cycle. Catamenial migraine significantly interferes with the quality of life and causes functional disability in most sufferers. The fluctuation of estrogen levels is believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of catamenial migraine. In this review, we discuss estrogen and its direct and indirect pathophysiologic roles in menstrual-related migraine headaches and the available treatment for women. TARGET AUDIENCE: Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to discuss the pathophysiology of catamenial migraine, identify the risk factors for catamenial migraine among women, and list the prophylactic and abortive treatments for migraines.
Authors: Astrid J Rodriguez-Acevedo; Robert A Smith; Bishakha Roy; Heidi Sutherland; Rod A Lea; Alison Frith; E Anne MacGregor; Lyn R Griffiths Journal: J Headache Pain Date: 2014-10-14 Impact factor: 7.277
Authors: Anne E Bunner; Ulka Agarwal; Joseph F Gonzales; Francesca Valente; Neal D Barnard Journal: J Headache Pain Date: 2014-10-23 Impact factor: 7.277
Authors: Susan N Kok; Sharonne N Hayes; F Michael Cutrer; Claire E Raphael; Rajiv Gulati; Patricia J M Best; Marysia S Tweet Journal: J Am Heart Assoc Date: 2018-12-18 Impact factor: 5.501
Authors: Alexander J Sandweiss; Karissa E Cottier; Mary I McIntosh; Gregory Dussor; Thomas P Davis; Todd W Vanderah; Tally M Largent-Milnes Journal: Oncotarget Date: 2017-12-09