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Sex hormone profiles in men with migraine: a cross-sectional, matched cohort study

Paul Triller, Elisabeth Storch, L. H. Overeem, M. Fitzek, C. Hoehne, Maria Terhart, K. S. Lange, Uwe Reuter et al.

Frontiers in Neurology, 2025

120 participants · 4 citations

Abstract

Objective Sex hormones play a key role in migraine pathophysiology, yet their impact in men remains unclear. This study investigates sex hormone profiles and their potential relationship with Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) in men with episodic migraine. Methods We analyzed serum blood levels of sex hormones testosterone, estradiol (E2), progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and CGRP in age and body mass index (BMI)-matched men with and without migraine. Results A total of 120 male participants (n = 60 with migraine and n = 60 without migraine) completed the study. The mean age was 44.4 ± 14.4 years in migraine group and 44.5 ± 16.2 in the control group. Men with migraine had lower progesterone levels (0.2 nmoL/L, IQR 0.2) and a higher E2 to progesterone (E2/P) ratio (0.33, IQR 0.26) compared to healthy controls (0.5 nmoL/L, IQR 0.2, p < 0.001; 0.25, IQR 0.19, p < 0.02). Median E2 was 0.09 nmoL/L (IQR 0.03) in migraine patients and 0.12 nmoL/L (IQR 0.04) in controls (p = 0.07). There were no significant differences in testosterone, testosterone to E2 (T/E2) ratio, LH and FSH levels. CGRP serum levels did not differ between groups and showed no correlation with sex hormone levels. Subgroup analysis revealed no differences in hormone or CGRP levels between migraine patients with and without aura. Discussion Our findings indicate higher progesterone levels and lower E2/P ratios in healthy men compared to those with migraine,…

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: 120 participants or records.

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