Adolescent issues in migraine: A focus on menstrual migraine

Abstract

Migraine commonly affects adolescents, and menstrual migraine often begins in young girls. If undiagnosed or ineffectively treated, migraine can lead to disability, school absenteeism, emotional or social difficulties, and chronification of headache. Thus, recognizing and accurately diagnosing migraine and menstrual migraine, developing effective treatment strategies (both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic), and educating both the adolescent and her parents are important in order to minimize the potential early disability of this disorder and limit the otherwise likely progression of migraine to a disabling disorder of adulthood.

Understanding Migraine through the Lens of Maladaptive Stress Responses: A Model Disease of Allostatic Load

“…Menstrual migraine may be more difficult to treat than nonmenstrual migraine in women, suggesting a role of induced resistance as a result of their hormonally induced migraine. Menstrual migraine may also be a contributor to the evolution of chronification of headache (Lay and Broner, 2008). Conversely, elimination of MM with the use of hormonal preventive medications can be achieved in a large percentage of patients, and this further decreases chronic migraine that is present in over 90% of women (Calhoun and Ford, 2008).…”

Menstrual Migraine Among Spanish University Students

“…Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders which is more prevalent in women, compared to men, after puberty (Broner, Bobker, & Klebanoff, 2017;Lay & Broner, 2008). Throughout this period, the hypothalamus-hypophysis-gonadal axis is activated during the initial menstrual cycles.…”

“…More concretely, in Spain, there is a lack of specific studies on this subject. Headaches can affect quality of life, academic and work performance and even limit activities of daily living; thus they have a significant social and economic impact (Lay & Broner, 2008;Mannix, 2008).…”

“…In relation to this problem, a specific and early approach is essential to avoid chronification in adulthood, and headaches becoming a limiting pathology (Lay & Broner, 2008). In relation to pharmacological treatment, current approaches are mainly centered on triptans, antiinflammatories and hormonal treatments.…”

Prevalence, Characteristics, and Treatment Pattern of Menstrual-Related Headache Among Undergraduate Health Sciences Students at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia

“…7,20 Given this high burden among young women, early and targeted intervention is crucial to prevent MRH from becoming a chronic condition. 21 Currently, available pharmacological treatments for MRH include triptans, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and hormonal therapy has been used often to reduce the pain. 22,23 However, administration of hormonal therapy could exacerbate MRH due to hormonal fluctuations and increase the risk of vascular diseases, such as stroke, heart disease, and vascular mortality.…”