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Migraine prevalence during menopausal transition

Wang SJ, Fuh JL, Lu SR, Juang KD, Wang PH

Headache, 2003

1,436 participants

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The effect of menopausal transition on the frequency of migraine has never been the focus of a community-based study.

METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based survey was undertaken among Chinese women aged 40 to 54 years in Kinmen, Taiwan. Neurologists diagnosed migraine based on the 1988 International Headache Society classification criteria. Menstrual history including a past or current history of premenstrual syndrome was obtained. Serum levels of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone were measured.

RESULTS: The 1-year prevalence of migraine was 16.5% in the 1436 participants. Among the women who had not had hysterectomies and did not report symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, migraine prevalence did not vary according to menopausal status. In contrast, in women with self-reported premenstrual syndrome, menopausal status was a factor in migraine prevalence: the late perimenopausal group had the highest prevalence (31%) and the spontaneous menopausal group had the lowest (7%). Among all menopausal groups, women who had had hysterectomies reported the highest migraine prevalence (27%), with the highest occurring in those with premenstrual syndrome (44%). The presence of low estrogen (30 mIU/mL) was associated with lower migraine prevalence, even in the premenopausal and early perimenopausal women.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data supported the clinical impression that migraine prevalence increases before menopause and declines after spontaneous menopause. However, in…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 1,436 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

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