Women are three times more likely than men to get migraines. What’s more, women’s migraines often seem timed to events that are hormone-related, such as pregnancy, menopause and menstrual cycles. That’s why, although the research is not conclusive about the role of hormones in migraine for some women, it’s widely believed that there is a connection.
Menstruation — Women sometimes have monthly migraine attacks at specific points in their menstrual cycle. It may be just before their periods, during their periods, or at midcycle, during ovulation. These are called menstrual migraines.
Pregnancy — Pregnancy can be a good period for women who get migraines. That’s because some women get relief from migraines during pregnancy, especially during the second and third trimesters. For others, pregnancy is the start of their migraines, or they worsen during this time.
Menopause — A woman’s natural level of estrogen falls off sharply with menopause. As a result, many women who have menstrual migraines find that their migraines become less frequent and less severe after menopause. While they’re going through menopause, however, their migraines may sometimes be worse as their bodies cope with fluctuating hormone levels.
— Source: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention