Sex-related differences in migraine

Abstract

This paper reviews sex-related differences in migraine epidemiology, symptoms, natural history and co-morbid disorders. Migraine is more than twice as common in females as in males, and women experience more frequent, longer lasting and more painful attacks, have more disability and a risk of transition from episodic to chronic migraine greater than men, but the mechanisms behind these differences are still poorly understood. The role of sex hormones, genes, and the differences in brain function and structure are discussed. Finally, we evaluate the many gender-related questions about treatment of migraine in women. In future research data should be analyzed separately for men and women to ensure that differences between the sexes could be identified.

A Decade of Gabapentinoid Misuse: An Analysis of the European Medicines Agency’s ‘Suspected Adverse Drug Reactions’ Database

“…Indeed, excluding epilepsy [63], gabapentinoids are prescribed to treat disorders that are more typically identified in female individuals, including chronic/neuropathic pain [64], generalized anxiety disorder [65], fibromyalgia [66], restless legs syndrome [67], migraine [68] and, of course, vasomotor symptoms of menopause.…”

Association of Migraine Headaches With Suicidal Ideation Among Pregnant Women in Lima, Peru

“…Migraine headaches are an often debilitating neurologic disorder with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 10‐15% . Migraine is most common among adults 18‐49 years old as compared to those at either ends of the age distribution, and among women as compared to men . Additionally migraine has been shown to be comorbid with several psychiatric disorders including depression and suicide .…”

“…1,2 Migraine is most common among adults 18-49 years old 3,4 as compared to those at either ends of the age distribution, and among women as compared to men. 5,6 Additionally migraine has been shown to be comorbid with several psychiatric disorders including depression and suicide. [7][8][9] Suicide is currently a leading cause of maternal death in developed countries 10,11 and in low and middle income countries.…”

Association Between Migraine and Suicidal Behaviors: A Nationwide Study in the USA

“…24–26 . Prior studies have reported migraine is modified by age 27 and sex 28 . Given this, we repeated the primary analysis stratifying by age categories (<50 vs. ≥50 years old) and sex (male vs. female; Supplementary Table 3).…”

“…[23][24][25] Prior studies have reported migraine is modified by age 26 and sex. 27 Given this, we repeated the primary analysis stratifying by age categories (<50 vs 50 years old) and sex (male vs female; Supporting Information Table 3). Given previous studies have shown psychiatric comorbidities modify the association between migraine and suicidal behaviors, [3][4][5][6][7] we repeated the analyses after stratifying participants according to depression, anxiety, or PTSD, respectively.…”