Menstrual Migraine

See Also

Migraine Headache

Pathophysiology

Estrogen withdrawal precipitates Migraine Headaches
Headaches often improve in pregnancy

Symptoms

Headache onset 2 days prior to Menses
Headache lasts until final day of Menses

Associated conditions

Management
Acute

See Migraine Headache Management
Most effective agents used to abort Menstrual Migraine Headaches (with current body of evidence)
1. Sumatriptan
2. Rizatriptan
3. Mefanamic Acid (Ponstel)

Prevention

Protocol: Standard Migraine Prophylaxis
Protocol: "Mini-Prophylaxis"
1. Start 3 days prior to expected first day Menses
2. Continue until Menses is finished (up to 5-6 days total)
3. Medication Option 1: Continuous use of Migraine Abortive Treatment
  1. Risk of Analgesic Overuse Headache
  2. Naprosyn 500 mg orally twice daily
    1. Alternatives: Mefenamic Acid (Ponsetl), especially if Dysmenorrhea coexists
  3. Frovatriptan (Frova), Zolmitriptan (Zomig) or Naratriptan (Amerge) taken around the clock perimenstrually
    1. Frovatriptan 2.5 mg twice daily for 5-7 days starting 0-2 days before Menses
    2. Zolmitriptan 2.5 mg three times daily for 5-7 days starting 0-2 days before Menses
    3. Alternatives include Ergotamine 1 tab bid (significant adverse effects) or Migranal (DHE Nasal)
  4. Consider Magnesium Supplementation
4. Medication Option 2: Hormonal
  1. Do not use Estrogens for Migraine with Aura, or if Hypertension or Tobacco Abuse
    1. See CVA precautions below
  2. Low Estradiol preparations (20 mcg or less)
    1. Loestrin 24 Fe
    2. Microgestin 1/20
  3. Estradiol patch started 2-3 days prior to Menses
    1. Climara 1-2 patches over 1 week
    2. Estraderm or Vivelle 2-4 patches over 1 week
  4. Consider adding Methyltestosterone 20 mg
Protocol: Continuous OCP cycling with low Estrogen pills
1. Options
  1. See Seasonal Contraception
  2. Examples: Lybrel, Lo-Seasonique, Xulane patch, NuvaRing
2. Counsel patients on Cerebrovascular Accident risk
  1. Cerebrovascular Accident Risk in Women
  2. Stop Oral Contraceptives immediately if development of Migraines with aura or other changes
  3. Ethinyl Estradiol doses of 20 mcg or less appears safe if no contraindications (see below)
3. Contraindications
  1. Migraine with Aura
  2. Migraine without Aura and one of the following
    1. Age >35 years old (relative contraindication)
    2. Comorbid Tobacco Abuse
    3. Hypertension

Complications
Cerebrovascular Accident

See Cerebrovascular Accident Risk in Women
Risks include Migraine Headache with aura and Oral Contraceptive use

References