Migraine with and without aura in relation to the menstrual cycle and other hormonal milestones: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background Previous studies showed that the perimenstrual window is associated with an increased susceptibility to migraine attacks without aura, but had conflicting results regarding attacks with aura. Methods We performed a longitudinal E-diary study among 526 premenopausal women with migraine. Differences in occurrence of perimenstrual migraine attacks between women with migraine with aura and without aura were assessed using a mixed effects logistic regression model. Additionally, participants completed a questionnaire about the influence of hormonal milestones on migraine frequency. Results Prevalence of menstrual migraine did not differ between women with migraine without aura and migraine with aura (59% versus 53%, p  =  0.176). The increased risk of migraine attacks without aura during the perimenstrual window was similar for women with migraine without aura (OR[95%CI]:1.53 [1.44–1.62]) and those with migraine with aura (1.53 [1.44–1.62]). The perimenstrual window was not associated with increased risk of migraine aura attacks (1.08 [0.93–1.26], p = 0.314). Women with migraine with aura more often reported increased migraine frequency during pregnancy and breastfeeding compared to women with migraine without aura, but not during hormonal contraception use. Conclusion Sex hormone levels seem to differently affect the trigeminovascular system (migraine headache) and the susceptibility to cortical spreading depolarization (aura). Exclusively migraine attacks without aura should be interpreted as perimenstrual attacks.