Migraine is not just a severe, irritating headache; it’s a neurological disorder that drains a person’s energy. Typically, patients suffering from this condition experience extreme sensitivity to light or sound, along with nausea and vomiting during an attack.
Migraine: A Predominantly Female Issue
A migraine attack can last for several hours or even days. To alleviate their discomfort, people with migraines often seek solitude in a cozy, darkened room.
Globally, around 800 million people suffer from this condition, with the majority being women. Compared to men, women are three times more likely to experience migraine attacks, which also tend to last significantly longer.
Many women even lose their ability to work due to these persistent headaches. They frequently rely on medication and often experience depression as a result of this condition.
The Hormonal Influence on Migraines
Several factors contribute to the different characteristics of migraines based on a person’s gender. Hormonal influences and genetics are among the primary ones. These factors significantly affect the brain’s functions and its ability to adapt to migraine attacks. The hormones estrogen and progesterone can lead to differences in certain brain areas involved in the development of this disorder.
Children, regardless of gender, have an equal chance of developing migraines, which occur in nearly 10% of them. However, with the onset of puberty, the likelihood of migraines in girls increases due to fluctuations in sex hormone levels. Most commonly, they experience their first migraine during their first menstruation. Yet, this condition is even more prevalent and intense among women of reproductive age.
To treat migraine attacks, triptans—medications that emerged in the 1990s—are commonly used. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also effective in reducing discomfort and the duration of menstrual migraines. Maintaining stable hormone levels may also play a role in managing migraines.
Migraine with Aura: Similar to a Stroke
However, in cases of migraine with aura, where various hallucinations (visual, taste, tactile, etc.) occur, these methods are ineffective. In this state, hormonal contraceptives containing estrogen should be avoided due to an increased risk of stroke. Women with migraine with aura can only use progesterone-based birth control pills and intrauterine devices.
This type of migraine affects about 20% of those prone to migraine attacks. Often, dark spots appear before an attack, and in 10% of cases, the patient loses the ability to speak clearly and experiences tingling on one side of the body.
These symptoms escalate and last for a period of time. Like a typical migraine, the attack is accompanied by severe headache. The initial symptoms may resemble the onset of a stroke, but unlike a stroke, they develop gradually rather than suddenly. However, for someone without medical training, distinguishing between these two conditions can be challenging, so it’s best to seek emergency help.
Migraine During Pregnancy and Menopause
According to specialists from Sciencealert, migraines are most debilitating for pregnant women, especially during the first trimester. During this time, morning sickness is common, complicating eating and sleeping. Additionally, lack of sleep or food can increase the likelihood of a migraine attack.
However, during pregnancy, migraines tend to decrease in frequency and severity, and in some women, they may even completely disappear. Yet, if a woman experienced migraines during pregnancy, they usually intensify after childbirth. This can be attributed to hormonal changes, stress, lack of sleep, dehydration, and other factors related to caring for a newborn.
Male Migraines
Severe migraine attacks are most commonly reported in men in their 20s. As they age, these attacks tend to slow down, peaking again around the age of 50, and then decreasing or even stopping altogether.
Researchers do not fully understand this “pattern” of migraines in men. However, it is believed that a combination of environmental and lifestyle factors, along with genetic influences, may contribute to the increase in migraines.