For patients approaching menopause, the National Migraine Centre has a factsheet available for download to help them understand why they might be experiencing more migraines.

Migraines can be common during this period of a patient’s life, with the London-based Centre estimating as many as  90 percent of women are affected.

“Migraine and menopause are closely associated. Perimenopausal migraine, where migraine symptoms worsen in the years leading up to the menopause, is often characterised by attacks which occur more frequently and sometimes also last longer,” according to the factsheet. “In the early stages of menopause, when periods become erratic and more frequent, so do migraine attacks. Towards the end of menopause, as periods become less frequent, migraines will also lessen.

“For women who have noticed a strong link between migraine and hormonal triggers, post-menopause can be a blessing.”

The Centre’s guide goes on to explain why menopause can worsen headaches; treatment options; how long they may need to continue with treatment; the affect hysterectomy can have as a trigger, and what to do if vaginal estrogen makes them worse.

For more resources for you and your patients, see our Menopause Management section.

For information for younger patients, learn how migraines may signal higher risks for some pregnancy complications; a quiz on the connection between migraines and hormones, and clinical pearls for identifying different types of headaches.

The contents of this feature are not provided or reviewed by NPWH.