Why Do Women Get More Migraines than Men?
National Migraine Institute
Posted on August 27, 2018 by Staff
Researchers have found a potential mechanism for migraine that may explain why women get more migraines than men. The study, in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, suggests that sex hormones affect cells around the trigeminal nerve and connected blood vessels in the head. They found that estrogens, which are at their highest levels in women of reproductive age, are particularly important for sensitizing these cells to migraine triggers.
“We can observe significant differences in our experimental migraine model between males and females and are trying to understand the molecular correlates responsible for these differences,” explains Professor Antonio Ferrer-Montiel from the Universitas Miguel Hernández, Spain. “Although this is a complex process, we believe that modulation of the trigeminovascular system by sex hormones plays an important role that has not been properly addressed.”
Ferrer-Montiel and his team reviewed decades of literature on sex hormones, migraine sensitivity and cells’ responses to migraine triggers to identify the role of specific hormones. Some (like testosterone) seem to protect against migraines, while others (like prolactin) appear to make migraines worse. They do this by making the cells’ ion channels, which control the cells’ reactions to outside stimuli, more or less vulnerable to migraine triggers.
Some hormones need much more research to determine their role. Estrogen, however, stands out as a key candidate for understanding migraine occurrence. It was first identified as a factor by the greater prevalence of migraine in menstruating women and the association of some types of migraine with period-related changes in hormone levels. The research team’s evidence now suggests that estrogen and changes in estrogen levels sensitize cells around the trigeminal nerve to stimuli. That makes it easier to trigger a migraine attack.
Ferrer-Montiel cautions that their work is preliminary. The role of estrogen and other hormones in migraine is complex and much more research is needed to understand it. The authors emphasize the need for longitudinal studies focusing on the relationship between menstrual hormones and migraines. Their current work relies on in vitro and animal models, which aren’t easy to translate to human migraine sufferers.
Nonetheless, Ferrer-Montiel and his colleagues see a promising future for migraine medication in their current findings. They intend to continue their research using pre-clinical, human-based models which better reflect real patients.
“If successful, we will contribute to better personalized medicine for migraine therapy,” he says.

Categories: Chronic Illness, Chronic Pain, Men & Womens Health, Migraines
Years ago i was told that just as you can feel a migraine coming on, is to masturbate.
but you need to be quick to catch before it takes you over.
I don’t know if it works, because i don’t get migraines.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know but will keep the idea handy just in case. How are you? The last time we talked you were still struggling. Sending good karma your way.
LikeLike
My physical health has not been the best. But doing OK.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How old are you? I think we’re close to the same age, I’m going on 56 in July. My body is really feeling the pain of aging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
53.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel much older too, it feels like every years is two years on the body. Something is always going wrong. I’m in intensive therapy for my pain and have surgery on 7/8 and several appts. already booked after that. It never ends. But I’m alive, I’ll celebrate what I have. 🙂
LikeLike
…but feel much older. )-:
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL
LikeLike
I’ve never officially been diagnosed with migraines, but my mom had them bad, so maybe I have mild ones. I do know that my headaches got much worse in my 40s with Peri-menopause. Glad they’ve decreased now in my 60s.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad I no longer have them. Bad headaches yes but not migraines.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Survivors Blog Here.
LikeLike